Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), who aligns with the Democrats, has been traveling nationwide with Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) as part of an effort to oppose policies from the Trump administration. In a discussion with Robin Young from Here & Now, Sanders emphasized the need for Democrats to present candidates who resonate with the growing concerns of voters about recent actions by President Trump.
Sanders criticized the current right-wing agenda, suggesting that it promotes authoritarianism and oligarchy while proposing over $1 trillion in tax cuts for the top 1%. He warned that these policies could result in significant reductions in Medicaid, nutrition, housing, and other programs, opinions he believes are shared by a vast majority of Americans. Sanders asserted that the Trump administration is currently under pressure due to their tariff policies, which he claims will lead to price increases. He called for candidates and a political movement that explicitly supports the nation’s working class.
In regards to concerns that the Democratic Party has shifted too far left and needs to be more receptive, Sanders acknowledged the importance of listening more. He praised the party’s efforts in advocating for women’s rights, LGBTQ+ rights, and civil rights but mentioned that Democrats should not be satisfied given the economic struggles of many Americans. He highlighted that a large portion of the population lives paycheck to paycheck and criticized health care issues in the United States, pointing out that one individual, Elon Musk, possesses more wealth than the bottom 53% of households combined. Sanders suggested that the Democratic Party has not sufficiently focused on the working class, resulting in political repercussions.
During the "Fighting Oligarchy" tour stop at Grand Park in Los Angeles, attended by approximately 36,000 people, Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez were accompanied by performances from Neil Young and Joan Baez.
For further insights from Sanders’ interview, including his views on why Republicans have not experienced a political fallout for policies benefitting the wealthy and strategies to engage disenchanted voters, additional details can be found through Here & Now’s site.
This article was produced digitally by Michael Scotto and Grace Griffin, with the broadcast segment edited by Mark Navin.
