Bernie Sanders, the United States Senator from Vermont, is emerging as a fan favorite for the Democratic nomination for 2016. And really, when two of the other options are Hillary Clinton and the frontman for a seven-piece Celtic rock band, it's easy to see why. Fine, the rock band is pretty cool, but when it comes to the issues, Bernie seems to be right in stride with the young people of today. Which is what got me thinking; Bernie reminds me of someone, and while I was watching my favorite stand-up of all time, it hit me. Bernie Sanders is Oscar the Grouch. This may seem like a stretch to compare a muppet to a US Senator, but the more I thought about it, the more I realized that they have so much in common.
1. They're both green
Photo via Oscar the Grouch Wikia
I'm not trying to say that Bernie Sanders is actually green, but that he cares about the environment (in fact, some people are saying that he's the greenest Presidential candidate ever). Coincidentally, this an issue close to Oscar's heart, as Oscar served as the spokes-muppet for Canada's Waste Reduction Week in 2008.
2. They both care about the children
Photo via Gateway Family Chiropractic
Although Bernie's kids are all grown up, that doesn't stop him from taking the Senate floor to talk about education and childcare, including an easy to understand (thank God) Family Values Agenda. Not to be outdone, Oscar has spent 46 years entertaining children both near and far at his home on Sesame Street, and helps kids across the country learn about the beauty of trash.
3. They share the same stance on foreign policy
Photo via Middle East Briefing
Senator Sanders has always advocated for the US pulling out of Afghanistan ASAP, and is on the record indicating as much. In addition, he has praised the Obama administration for the recently agreed upon Iran pact, claiming it a "victory for diplomacy over saber-rattling."
Sesame Street, on the other hand, was pulled from Pakistani television about a year after Bernie's comments (but to be fair, Oscar wasn't even on the Pakistani version of the show).
4. They've both been on the Colbert Report
Photo via Logopedia
5. They're both grouches
Photo via CNN
Alright, maybe Bernie isn't at Oscar levels of grouchiness, but when you're quoted as saying "I'm right and everybody else is wrong," you send off some serious Grouch vibes. Seriously, just Google Bernie Sanders, click on images, and realize that out of the first fifteen results, he's only smiling in four of them (your results may vary).
We love you Bernie, but c'mon man, lighten up.
