Who's Bernie Sanders?

Bernie Sanders was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY.
He grew up in a lower middle class family, living paycheck to paycheck. His family experienced a lack of money, which resulted in excessive stress and family arguments. Bernie Sanders was raised by Eli and Dorothy Sanders, living in a three-bedroom apartment, along with his brother, Larry. These hardships that Bernie faced has shaped him into who he is today. He has never forgotten the upbringing he experienced, and is aware that people today still experience the same circumstances. As a teenager, Bernie would always talk about democracy in Ancient Greece, and even attended local Democratic Party meetings with his brother.

Family

Bernie Sanders is the son of Eli Sanders and Dorothy Sanders. He was married to Deborah Shiling from 1964-1966. He is currently married to Jane O’Meara Sanders since 1988. His biological son is Levi Sanders, and he has three step children, Heather, Carina, and David.

Credentials

Bernie Sanders attended public school in New York City, James Madison High School. He was very involved and a very good student. He participated in writing the school paper, was the captain of the track team, and won the state basketball championship. Bernie was also the class president. Bernie Sanders was the first person in his family to go to college, he enrolled at Brooklyn College, but as his mother got ill and passed away, he transferred to the University of Chicago. He came a representative for Vermont at-large district (1991-2007), and mayor of Burlington (1981-1989).

Education

  • Bernie believes that all students should receive a quality and affordable education. A higher education is a public good and not a public commodity
  • Proposed College for All Act to make public colleges should be tuition-free so students won’t be burdened with high debt
  • College for All Act will drastically reduce student interest loans almost in half.
  • Bernie proposed to entirely cancel student loan debt for anyone currently with student loans.

Abortion

​Our current administration has neglected to protect the women’s reproductive rights. Currently many states are trying to pass bills to restrict abortions and the federal government has even banned abortion referrals.
  • Bernie Sanders believes in the women’s fundamental right to control their bodies and the government shouldn’t have a say
  • Promises to protect Roe v. Wade
  • His administration will support and fully fund Planned Parenthood
  • In 1993, Sanders helped co-sponsor the Freedom of Choice Act  that prevented a state from restricting a women to obtain an abortion prior to fetal viability
  • Sanders also co-sponsored the Women’s Health Protection Act which will prohibit abortion restrictions
  • Pledge to only appoint Supreme Court judges who support Roe v. Wade

Healthcare

  • Sanders believes that health care is a human right and should be guaranteed to every America citizen.
  • Proposed Medicare for All which is a universal healthcare system that promotes reform to improve patient care and reduce cost. Everyone will be covered for all health services without deductibles or copays.
  • This plan will be similar to the Medicare system but it will cover more people.
  • Insurance will not be tied to employment
  •  Funding will be provided by The American Security Trust Fund which will financed by various tax revenues and subsidies.
  • The government will not take over the healthcare system

Immigration

​          “We are a nation of immigrants” - Bernie Sanders
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  • Bernie believes that our immigration system is “profoundly broken” and needs immediate reform
  • Believes in securing borders without building a fence
  • Instead of punishing undocumented immigrants, Bernie believes in building a path toward legal residency for immigrants.
  • ​Rejects the exploitation of immigrant workers for cheap labor
  • ​Sponsored 81 bills to address the status of the 11 millions undocumented immigrants​
  • Supports DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals), DAPA (Deferred Action for Parents of Americans ), and Dream Act (Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act).
  • ​Cosponsored seven bills to overturn Trump’s Muslim Ban.​

Labor and Taxes

  • Sanders believes that millionaires and billionaires should not exist proposed a new tax that can greatly diminish the fortune of the richest in America.
  • Plans to tax accumulated wealth instead of income.
  • Bernie believes corporations should be taxed in order to prevent the corporations hiding money in overseas tax havens. 
  •  Proposed a progressive income tax on the richest Americans, so anyone earning beyond $510,000 will be taxed at 37 percent.
  • Bernie wants to tax estates so that rich people wouldn’t be able to make a lot of money and profits which are put away into estates, without paying taxes.
  • To increase jobs, Bernie wants to rebuild America’s infrastructure.

Climate Change

  • Bernie believes that climate change is a major threat to our planet​​ and there must be immediate action & prioritize efforts to address the climate crisis. 
  • Proposed Green New Deal which will resolve issues with both inequality and climate change at the same time.
  • The Green New Deal will pair renewable energy energy targets with certain ideas, such as universal healthcare and a guarantee of federal jobs. 
  • Bernie’s campaign has pledged to offset their carbon emissions by funding renewable energy initiatives to compensate for the carbon emissions used for the campaign, such as traveling with planes and cars. 
  • Bernie’s goal is to end the exposure to lead and other toxins present in crumbling infrastructure. He plans to do this through the Environmental Justice Plan (2019). 

Gun Control

  • Believes gun control should be a state issue since attitudes towards firearms differ greatly between rural and urban communities
  • The exceptions should a ban on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines over ten rounds. 
  • Favors background checks to prevent criminals and the mentally ill from obtaining guns.
  • Wants to close loopholes so people can’t obtain guns at gun shows or online without going through proper background checks

Quotes

“Yes, we become stronger when men and women, young and old, gay and straight, native-born and immigrant fight together to create the kind of country we all know we can become."
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“Together, together, my friends, we have begun a political revolution to transform America, and that revolution, our revolution, continues!”