Bernard “Bernie” Sanders’ name has become controversial, as he sought to divide the votes in the presidential bid for the Democratic Party, during the early days of the campaign. Sanders is a junior U.S senator from Vermont, and have long been serving independently in the U.S congress (berniesanders.com np). Although he is out in the running for the U.S presidential bid, having been beaten by Hilary Clinton, Sanders remains influential in the current presidential election, particularly in the Democratic Party’s platforms.
Sanders early activism can be traced back during his college years. He is a member of the Young People’s Socialist League, a supporter for the Civil Rights Movement, and student organizer for the Congress of Racial Equality. Sanders political career took off in Burlington, when he was elected there as a mayor. He was able to push progressive reforms regarding matters such as affordable housing, taxation, climate change and environmental protection, gender equality, youth programs and many more (berniesanders.com np). His work in the congress was focused on passing amendments that are often favored towards working families and the middle classes. He became progressive in the congress, passing more amendments than any other congress members.
Clinton may be the primary presidential candidate for the Democratic Party in the 2016 US election, but Sanders remain to be pretty influential especially for the millennial demographic, who are especially discontent with the capitalist system. Sanders political ideology that is geared towards social democratic platforms, emphasizing on a pro-people and pro-economic equality kind of government have appealed to the younger generations. Sanders is consistent with his views of reforming the government to follow a Nordic kind of social democracy, where free market capitalism can be effectively combined with extensive welfare and strong labor unions (McWhinney np).
One of Sanders agenda is to make education accessible for all this includes providing free tuition fee for students in public colleges and universities, while at the same time providing an equal and quality education for all (berniesanders.com np).. He has also advocated for reducing gun violence through restricting the purchase of guns, banning semi-automatic weapons, and most importantly, fixing mental health care systems. He is strongly in favor of methods to redistribute wealth through effective tax reforms and pursuing a strong health and medical care system in the U.S by providing universal health care insurance as well as making medicines accessible and less expensive (berniesanders.com np).. In regards to gender equality, Sanders have commended on the milestones of the LGBTIQ community in the U.S, especially in regards to gay marriage. However, he argued that work still needs to be done especially in terms of the discrimination in the workplace or access to housing experienced the LGBTIQ community. Sanders is also in favor of abortion, as primarily a woman’s decision, and that control over her body, must not be intruded by the government. In terms of security, Sanders is against the U.S Patriot Act and believes that there are other ways to ensure the safety and security of the citizens of U.S without compromising their privacy and their civil rights (berniesanders.com np). Also, one of the most consistent of Sanders’ platform is his bold fight against climate change, promising deeper emission cuts by 80 percent through investment in efficient, clean and sustainable wind and solar energy (berniesanders.com np).
Bernie’s progressive movement has started, and will remain a collective effort from the grassroots level. His campaign started with the overwhelming support of the ordinary people, contributing what they can to make his national campaign possible. Despite the odds being against Sanders campaign, his efforts and ideas will not be wasted (Whiteside np). His progressive movement is posed to continue on well after the election, providing the American politics the much needed alternative voices and ideas that pose to challenge current and future political discourses in U.S.
Works Cited:
Berniesanders.com. “Meet Bernie.” Berniesanders.com. Nd., np. Web.
Berniesanders.com. “On the Issues.” Berniesanders.com. Nd., np. Web.
McWhinney, James E. “The Nordic Model: Pros and Cons.” Investopedia. N.p., 2014. Web.
Whitesides, John. “Sanders Plants Seeds for a Lasting U.S. Progressive Movement.” Reuters.com 8 June 2016. Web.
