In May 2015, Senator Bernie Sanders started his presidential campaign. From what can only be known as a grass roots campaign has made American history. More people donated to his campaign than any other political campaign with the average donation being $27. Bernie Sanders has changed the political system forever. He proved that ideas can be more powerful than Super PACs. He proved that the President doesn't have to be a millionaire. He proved that to our nation as well as an entire generation. Instead of voting for Hillary Clinton to make her the first female president, the millennial generation chose Bernie Sanders. With many young people in debt from college, Bernie Sanders devoted his agenda to making tuition free as well as putting emphasis on the American workers.
Bernie Sanders went against the grain and fought for the American people. He inspired so many voters who felt their vote was not worth that much. When a presidential candidate fights for the American people with such strong convictions as Bernie Sanders, it is truly inspiring. Before this election, many of the young people I knew were only somewhat interested in politics. Scott Walker was the bogeyman and his replacement would have been mediocre at best. Until Senator Sanders started his campaign there wasn't a passion for political change amongst myself or my friends. When Sanders' campaign gained speed we saw something new. This wasn't some cookie cutter Democrat who lived outside of reality but a real candidate who cared about the issues. He gave us something to believe in. He made it possible to think that you didn't need money to fix the political system. He made it possible for a truer democracy, one for the people, and by the people.
The legacy of Bernie Sanders will be the millennial voters. He heard the cries of people who wanted a change. They grew up in a world of prosperity and they wanted to make a more just society. They saw the inequality in the United States and after the Great Recession, they fought for those changes especially when the wealthiest who caused the mess were getting off scot free. They saw low wages and higher inflation, they saw student debts rise, and they saw money in politics only helped those who made the world less just and less prosperous. With Bernie Sanders as President or not, what he stood for will continue on. Young voters will demand for candidates who stand for their values and mean it. They will become politicians with the people in mind. It doesn't end with this campaign. The people have regained their power and are willing to use it. That passion for change will never die and we have Bernie to thank for that.