Senator Bernie Sanders is running for president again — and his ideas are no less sweeping than the last time he ran.
The independent senator from Vermont launched his 2020 presidential campaign Tuesday. The senator, at 77, enters a crowded Democratic primary field, but he is the 2016 primary runner up, and is making major waves amongst the 2020 candidates. Sanders raised nearly $6 million in the 24 hours following his 2020 presidential campaign launch, his campaign said Wednesday, a record-smashing debut that easily outstripped his Democratic rivals.
Sanders starts with a positive reputation with many members of both parties but a rather negative one with others, including President Trump. He is among the best-known Democrats in a crowded field, as well as one of the most outspoken against President Trump, whom he has repeatedly called a “pathological liar” and a “racist.”
Many key opponents are still “feeling the bern” as Sanders has given many 2020 hopefuls something to run on (for example: healthcare, education, and even climate change.) Sanders has paved a progressive path when asked about these issues.
So where does Sanders stand on key issues?
Health care… In 2017, Sanders introduced a bill to transition to Medicare for All, a system where every American would get healthcare through the government. The proposal is seen as one test of liberal credentials: Democratic presidential candidates Sen. Kamala Harris of California, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand of New York, Sen. Cory Booker of New Jersey, and Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts all endorsed his legislation. Critics have called his plan too radical or expensive.
College students should be excited for Sanders’ plans for education. He introduced a plan to make community college tuition-free and eliminate tuition at four-year universities for students from families with an income of $125,000 or less. He has also pushed for more student loan forgiveness. In a world where a college education is increasingly necessary, this plan is neither radical, nor unnecessary, but practical (especially more so than any border wall.)
In short, his top policy goals include Medicare for All, free public college, and a $15 per hour minimum wage, many of which have become more mainstream in the Democratic Party, even if the party’s congressional leadership have not embraced all of those plans.
The problem with Bernie Sanders is that he simply cannot win the middle man. A Presidential nominee must be able to not only win over their own party, but also members of the opposing party, or undecided voters. Sanders is simply too liberal to win over the undecided vote.
It is disappointing to see Sanders continuing to take away funding from candidates who can not only win over Democrats, but Republicans, and the country as a whole. While Sanders views and policies may be in the right place for some, they are not in the right place for the majority at this point in American politics. There are so many democratic hopeful that could use his endorsement, and instead will only be harmed when funding goes to his campaign instead of theirs. Furthermore, American politics, both Democrat and Republican parties, need a fresh face instead of a recycled party leader. It is time for change.
Overall, Sanders does send a hopeful message about the future of America. It is inspiring to see someone running with a care for all people, and not just those who want to limit the American agenda to include the exclusive. Our country is growing and it’s time for someone who has a promising agenda to truly make America great again.