So the presidential primaries are coming up, and now that we’re big bad college students it’s good to be on the right side of things and know what’s going on out there in the real world. Because, you know, it will definitely affect us in the future and stuff. No big deal or anything. ANYWAYS, if you identify as a Democrat and will be voting for one, we’ve compiled a short and sweet list for you to get the low down of the stances Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton have on different issues. After you read this, you can be the intelligent, all-knowing person at every dinner table discussion and classy cocktail party. Her Campus UCSB got yo’ back.
Hillary Clinton
Bernie Sanders
HEALTHCARE
Hillary Clinton: Non-employer system better; but don’t turn back ObamaCare. (Health insurance should be free for kids).
-Supports Planned Parenthood
Bernie Sanders: Medicare for all, healthcare is a basic human right. (Basically health insurance should be free for everyone).
-Supports Planned Parenthood
GUN CONTROL
Hillary Clinton: Gun control advocates see Clinton as an ally. Also reverse gun manufacturer immunity; let them get sued.
Bernie Sanders: Do more than reverse gun manufacturer immunity, wants instant background checks – no guns for criminals or mentally unstable.
ABORTION
Hillary Clinton: Long-held moderate stance focuses on reducing abortions.
-Make abortion rare by supporting adoption & foster care.
-Potential for life begins at conception, but don’t intrude on personal choice.
Bernie Sanders: Lifetime pro-choice record, plus funding for family planning.
-Advocate for family planning and funding for contraceptives.
-Women have the right to choose, regardless of income.
GAY MARRIAGE/LGBTQ RIGHTS
Hillary Clinton: Re-evaluated & changed her mind on gay marriage. (Was not a supporter of gay marriage, but now is).
Bernie Sanders: Right to love each other, regardless of sexual orientation. (Always a supporter of gay marriage).
RACISM
Hillary Clinton: We need a New Deal for Communities of Color.
Bernie Sanders: Black Lives Matter: deal with institutional racism.
CORPORATIONS
Hillary Clinton: Every once in a while we have to save capitalism from itself.
-Investigate “shadow banks” and break up big banks.
Bernie Sanders: Fraud is the business model of Wall Street.
-Break up major Wall Street firms.
EDUCATION
Hilary Clinton: Doesn’t believe college should be free.
-Teach Bible as history & literature; not science or religion.
-Let’s get back to schools where kids are socialized.
.Bernie Sanders: $70B to make public colleges & universities tuition-free.
-Look at college degree like high school diploma 50 years ago.
-“high school for all” should be now “free college for all”.
WAR ON DRUGS
Hillary Clinton: Stop imprisoning marijuana users.
-More drug diversion; more community policing.
-Medical marijuana maybe ok; states decide recreational use.
Bernie Sanders: Would vote for recreational marijuana to reduce jailings.
-War on drugs is a failed policy; treatment over punishment.
-Legalize medical marijuana.
FOREIGN POLICY
Hillary Clinton: China never fit neatly into a category such as friend or rival.
-We should accept 65,000 Syrian refugees, vetted and screened.
-We spend a lot on development aid, even in war zones.
Bernie Sanders: Moral responsibility to reach out to Syrian refugees.
-Promote democracy in China, but not at expense of US workers.
-Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Qatar should take charge in Syria.
IMMIGRATION
Hillary Clinton: Opposes illegal immigration, but doesn’t vote to follow up.
-Immigrants keep America young and dynamic.
Bernie Sanders: Offer path to citizenship; waive deportation for DREAMers.
-Immigrant labor should be treated as valuable, but are currently not.
JOBS
Hillary Clinton: $12 minimum wage, indexed for the future.
-Stand up for unions; organize for fair wages.
Bernie Sanders: Raise the minimum wage to $15 per hour.
-Obama rebuilt jobs; but middle class is disappearing.
Well, that covers most topics that us college students would care about! We hope this gives you a better idea of who stands for what within the Dem Party. Remember, voting is extremely important (regardless of your party preference) because it does affect our future and our country’s future! So get out and VOTE!