On April 30, 2015, Sanders announced his bid for President through an email to his supporters and media. After one day, his campaign had raised more than $1.5 million.
Last week's Iowa Caucus results placed Sanders in second place among the Democratic candidates at 49.6% compared Hilary Clinton's 49.9%. The small .3% difference between the two represents the astonishing amount popularity Sanders has gained in less than a year. It is evident that America is feeling the bern.
Background information
Bernie Sanders was born in New York on September 8, 1941. He is 74 years old and, if elected, he would be the oldest President in history. He grew up in Brooklyn, N.Y. His parents are both Jewish immigrants from Poland.
He was mayor of Burlington, V.T. from 1981 to 1989. In 1991, he was elected to the House of Representatives. Then, in 2007, Sanders became a U.S. senator.
Political views
Although he is running on the Democratic ticket, Sanders is actually an Independent. He has described his political views as "Democratic Socialist." He is the longest-serving independent member of Congress in U.S. history. In 1971, he said to Bennington Banner, “In America today if we wanted to, we could wipe out economic hardship almost overnight. We could have free medical care, excellent schools and decent housing for all. The problem is that the great wealth and potential of this country rests with a handful of people …”
Civil Rights movement
Sanders was actively involved in the Civil Rights movement of the 1960s. During his college days, he served as an organizer for the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee and member of the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE) In 1962, he participated in a sit-in against the segregation of off-campus housing. This protest got him arrested and charged with resisting arrest. On August 28, 1963, he attended the March on Washington and witnessed Martin Luther King Jr.'s famous "I Have a Dream" speech.
Iraq War
Also, he strongly opposed the war in Iraq. In an address to the House of Representatives, he said "As a caring Nation, we should do everything we can to prevent the horrible suffering that a war will cause." Sanders also questioned the timing of military action "at a time when this country has a $6 trillion national debt and a growing deficit." In 2010, Sanders made the news with his more than eight-hour-long filibuster against the extension of Bush era tax cuts for the wealthy called which was published as The Speech: A Historic Filibuster on Corporate Greed and the Decline of Our Middle Class.
Affordable education
Sanders introduced a bill called the College for All Act which would make public colleges and universities tuition free by taxing Wall Street with a "Robin Hood" tax that would college .5 percent speculation fee on investment houses, hedge funds, 0.1 percent fee on bonds and a 0.005 percent fee charged on derivatives. Also, he would expand the federal work-study program, eliminate reapply for financial aid every year, and lower student loan interest rates from 4.32% to just 2.32%
A final word
"People should not underestimate me.", Sanders said in an Associated Press report. His platform includes increasing taxes for the rich, greater governmental oversight of Wall Street, affordable higher education and an expansion of the Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid systems. Also, he supports same-sex marriage and is pro-choice. Bernie has proved himself a formidable candidate for president. His contributions from his time as a civil rights supporter, mayor, house representative, senator and promise to provide economic and social equality to all are the reasons why America is feeling the bern.
