Since the beginning of this election season, Bernie Sanders has been the underdog. Initially starting virtually unknown, his campaign has become a tour de force with record-breaking fundraising numbers, and a delegate count that rivals Hilary Clinton.

He is at the forefront of one of the most exciting, ridiculous, and divisive elections in recent history; and as his successes mount, so do his criticisms. Thanks in part to the internet, I am exposed to these criticisms on the daily, and have compiled this list of the statements I’m sure we are all more than tired of hearing at this point.

"Bernie Sanders supporters are just looking for hand outs."

While there may be some people looking to cash in on Sanders’ proposed social programming, we’re not all looking for freebies. A majority of the people who would benefit from free college can’t even vote yet, they’re still in high school. Sanders beat Clinton in almost every demographic in New Hampshire, including those with college degrees and families making up to $200,000 annually (Quora, 2016).

In Iowa, he won the demographic of ‘college educated white males’ and in Massachusetts he scored the demographic of voters that make between 50-100k (Salon, 2016). While Bernie’s strongest supporters are first time voters and those age 18-30, he has the undeniable support of the middle class and college educated adults. Do these people need handouts? Maybe, but it is unlikely that it’s that idea that is enticing them to vote for Sanders when they have income and education.

"‘Free’ isn’t really free you know."

Yes, we know. The cost that would come to us is redistributed elsewhere, mainly in the form of higher taxes. WE KNOW. It happens a lot in the Nordic countries as well as in Germany, Denmark, the UK, Cuba, Canada. Their higher taxes, some at 40-50%, provide ‘free’ healthcare and education as well as generous welfare programs that are often labeled as ‘cradle to grave’ for being so comprehensive. So of course it’s not free, it just requires hard work.

"Bernie Sanders is a socialist."

No, he is a Democratic Socialist or a New Deal Democrat.

"Socialist, democratic socialist, they’re the same thing."

Bernie considers himself a Democratic Socialist because he believes the government is critical in providing health care, childcare, higher education (all of which are rights in his opinion) to all American citizens. The government also needs to end its affair with big money interests and step away from privatization. The official chairman of the Democratic Socialist party, Frances Piven, says Sanders is actually more of a New Deal Democrat, a reference to FDR and his social programs implemented after the Great Depression.

In democratic socialism, the people control the government and the government controls the industry and means of production. While Sanders’ brand of democratic socialism does not align entirely with the official party’s views, it is far-fetched to call him a true socialist. These notions are radically different from Latin American socialism, where the government nationalizes businesses and utilities. It’s also different than Russian and Chinese styles of communism, where the economy is centrally controlled and the government squashes individual rights.

Leon Trotsky, an architect of the Russian revolution, vehemently hated social democrats for saving capitalism and preventing communism in Europe at the time (The Hill, 2016). “To equate democratic socialism or social democracy with revolutionary communism is therefore both definitionally and historically inaccurate. The closest models are ones Sanders regularly cites — countries such as Canada, Denmark, England, and Germany.” (The Hill, 2016)

"You support socialism?!"

Socialism is a flawed concept in that, by definition, it is almost not achievable; but borrowing from the successes of Canada and Europe would be smart considering they have some of the best healthcare in the world, the happiest people in the world, and some of the lowest rates of poverty among adults and children (CNN, 2016).

Yes, there are fundamental differences between the US and these countries that would prevent us from functioning just like them. But it is not impossible to believe that we can take the best of their government and policies and apply that here with great success. Besides, the word ‘socialism’ has become nuanced; while it still scares many Americans, not everyone considers it to be the same thing. Nor can be people seem to look past Sanders’ self-title of Democratic Socialist, despite many agreeing with his platform.

“According to a recent Gallup poll, only 47 percent of Americans say they would vote for a socialist. That said, another recent Gallup poll showed that 63 percent of Americans think that the distribution of wealth is unfair, 52 percent want to see the rich pay more in taxes, 79 percent believe education is not affordable for everyone, and 71 percent believe global warming is occurring--with 52 percent certain it is a human-made problem(The Hill, 2016).”

"Bernie Sanders supporters don’t understand economics."

Or, Bernie won't be able to pay for everything he is promising. While I can’t speak for everyone, and there isn’t really data to support this, I’m going to say the former statement is a flimsy generalization that holds little truth. As for the latter, it’s easy enough to look at his tax plans and see exactly what is being taxed where and what that amounts to. If you don’t understand economics or Bernie’s tax plan, the Tax Foundation lays out the key aspects for your reading pleasure.

"He’s too old."

While Bernie would be the oldest President if elected, he is only 5 years older than Hilary Clinton and 2 years older than Joe Biden. His age is only a testament to his long career in politics, and he has proven to be energetic and well-spoken despite being 74.

"He can’t be elected."

The same things were said about John F Kennedy and Barack Obama, the former for his Catholicism and the latter for his race and Islamic name. Both overcame the odds, just as Bernie is doing now. At the very least, he is giving Hilary Clinton, whom many thought was assured the Democratic nomination, a close run for her money.

In Massachusetts, Iowa, and Nevada he lost by very slim margins, and he managed to secure Michigan in one of the biggest upsets the Democratic party has seen in years. If Donald Trump or Ted Cruz wins the GOP bid, Sanders would beat them both by margins of 12% and 17% respectively, compared to Hilary’s equal margin against Trump and 1% deficit to Cruz (CNN, 2016).

Of all current candidates, he has the highest favorability rating (60%) of registered voters and is the only candidate viewed positively by a majority of voters.

These points are not so much in defense of Bernie Sanders as they are to disprove the same, tired arguments people use against him and his supporters. He is not the perfect candidate, and there are some real critiques to be made about him and his campaign, but we are all tired of hearing these same washed up statements. There's a lot more campaigning to be done!