Bernie Sanders has railed against inequality in the US. He pointed out that many working people have no proper healthcare. Also, he said, Wall Street bankers made three times as much money in bonuses as all the full-time workers on minimum wage earned last year. And he declared that it’s time to build on our “common humanity” so we can “oppose all of the forces that try to divide us”. Sanders made the comments as he revealed the scale of his support from average people across the country.
Wages, inequality, and healthcare
Sanders made the comments on Twitter. He voiced his support for striking workers at UCLA:
What we are seeing across the country is a war being waged against working people. Together that is a fight we will win. I was proud to stand with striking workers at UCLA. pic.twitter.com/5gOqUBJ3l9
— Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) April 3, 2019
He went on to reveal the scale of inequality between banks and average workers:
Wall Street bankers made more in bonuses last year than 3x the earnings of ALL full-time workers making the federal minimum wage of $7.25 an hour.
We don’t need austerity for working families. We need austerity for the 1% and multinational corporations.
— Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) April 3, 2019
He also showed the unfairness of CEOs earning millions of dollars at the expense of ordinary people:
UnitedHealth's CEO was paid more than $83 million in a single year. Now UnitedHealth is throwing 425,000 Iowans off their Medicaid coverage. This is unacceptable. Join us in Davenport on Friday to rally for Medicare for All. https://t.co/ku3Qi2mvLI
— Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) April 3, 2019
And he insisted that members of the LGBTQI+ community need greater political representation:
Today LGBTQ people are more than 4.5% of our population but only hold 0.1% of elected offices. We must support the LGBTQ community in achieving the representation they deserve. Consider a run or nominate your friends at https://t.co/Glilr6fpau. #OutToWin
— Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) April 2, 2019
Winning the battle
He also argued that people can win when they organise:
If there's ever been a time in our history when people must stand together in the fight for justice—now is that time. If we are organized, we will win. Add your name to say you’re willing to host an Organizing Kickoff event on April 27. #OrganizeWithBernie https://t.co/oDIaCPOabn
— Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) April 3, 2019
The level of support he has received is evidence of a growing movement demanding change:
1 million volunteers signed up.
$18.2 million raised.
900,000 individual contributions.That's the strength of our movement so far. Help us keep the momentum! Sign up to host an Organizing Kickoff event on April 27. #OrganizeWithBernie https://t.co/TUTI92gHd7
— Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) April 3, 2019
And much of this support, he revealed, comes from teachers:
An incredible 525,000 people have already contributed to our campaign.
The most common profession? Teachers. The average donation? Just $20.
This campaign is about all of us—not billionaire donors and Super PACs.
— Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) April 2, 2019
Underlying all of this is the fact that he says Trump, who he believes “is the most dangerous president we’ve had in modern American history”, must be defeated:
The way we beat Trump – who to my mind is the most dangerous president we’ve had in modern American history – is through a massive grassroots effort which demands we have a government and economy that works for all of us, not just those at the top.
— Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) April 2, 2019
The town hall
It’s also been announced that Fox News will be hosting a town hall with Sanders. The event is due to take place on 15 April. But some people have criticised Sanders for taking part in an event organised by Fox News.
In spite of this, Sanders has always championed the rights of workers and minorities and will continue to do so. And his level of support just goes to show that many Americans recognise this and want real change.
Featured image via Flickr – Gage Skidmore
