It's election season, folks, and who better to talk about than Bernie Sanders? He's been taking this election by storm and has raised $41.5 million in his campaign. This lovable, white-haired democratic socialist from Brooklyn is fighting for systematic change in politics, and in doing so, has garnered worldwide attention. Therefore, here, in no particular order, are my top 10 reasons to #FeelTheBern.
1. His commitment and consistency in politics.
He's been politically involved since 1981 (the same year as Beyoncé's birth, I might add) and has been a member of Congress for 25 years. This isn't his first rodeo, and his 30 year consistent track record on the major issues is incredible.
2. His hair.
I mean, does it even need an explanation? Look at that glowing, silver mane defying gravity.
3. He cares about reproductive rights.
It's a beautiful thing when an old white man believes that a woman should have control of her own body. Feeling blessed that he #StandsWithPP and supports the fight for reproductive justice.
4. His plan to fight for racial justice.
He is the only candidate to publicly say the names Sandra Bland, Eric Garner and Samuel DuBose on their website. Even after he was called out on his privilege, he met with Black Lives Matter activists (such as Deray McKesson) to help develop his racial justice platform. Could he be any more awesome?
5. His mad dancing skills.
Take a seat, Shakira. Bernie Sanders' hips don't lie.
6. He cares about our planet.
Climate change is real, people. Bernie really understands how essential it is that we, as an international community, address the issue of climate change and work collectively to invest in clean, sustainable energy. His site even has an interactive map where you can click on your state to see his future projected energy mix, along with the benefits of transitioning to clean energy.
7. He wants to make college debt free.
You read that right. Bernie doesn't want students to be paying thousands and thousands of dollars in student loans their entire lives. Therefore, he wants to make tuition free for public colleges, cut student loan interest rates and require public colleges to meet 100 percent of the needs of the lowest income students.
8. His dedication to fixing income and wealth inequality.
He's done his research, and understands that there is something wrong when the top one-tenth of one percent owns almost the same amount as the bottom 90 percent. Fixing the gap between the extremely rich and everyone else, passing the Paycheck Fairness Act so women are paid equally to men (again, feeling #blessed) and requiring those making the big bucks to pay their fair share in taxes are just a few ways he hopes to combat this problem.
9. His plan for a fair and humane immigration policy.
Bernie knows our country's history and recognizes that this is a nation of immigrants. He wants to allow immigrants to receive healthcare under the Affordable Care Act, terminate all inhumane detention centers and deportation programs and prevent the exploitation of immigrant workers by administering whistleblower visas so they can report abuse safely.
10. His live tweets during the GOP Debates.
Let's be real, his sarcasm during the debates is always on point. There's a little bit of shade, but he still addresses the real issues and keeps it classy.
