Why I “Feel The Bern,” And You Should, Too | The Odyssey Online
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Politics and Activism

Why I “Feel The Bern,” And You Should, Too

11 Reasons Bernie Sanders is the best candidate for the presidency

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Why I “Feel The Bern,” And You Should, Too
TheNation.Com

The results of this year’s Super Tuesday primary elections were less than ideal for Bernie Sanders. He won four out of 11 states, and while this by no means puts him out of the running, it is slightly concerning.

There is no such thing as a perfect politician, but there are some whose exemplary beliefs and policies make them stand out more than others. So, in case anyone is on the fence about who to throw their support behind during the primaries, I have compiled a list of all the reasons why I “Feel The Bern.”

1. He has been an outspoken supporter of civil rights and people of color since the 1960s.

Sanders participated in Chicago’s first civil right’s sit-in in 1962, when he protested the University of Chicago’s housing segregation policy.

On his campaign website, Sanders states that we "must pursue policies to transform this country into a nation that affirms the value of its people of color. That starts with addressing the five central types of violence waged against black, brown and indigenous Americans: physical, political, legal, economic and environmental.”

2. He has been an advocate for LGBTQ+ rights since the beginning of his career.

Sanders has been supporting same-sex marriage since the early 1970s, when he called for the elimination of all laws that disrespect homosexuality. After he was elected mayor of Burlington, Vt., he supported the city’s first Gay Pride March in 1983.

He voted against the Defense of Marriage Act of 1996, which sought to constitutionally define marriage as a union between a man and a woman. When the Supreme Court finally ruled in favor of same-sex marriage on June 26, 2015, Sanders showed his support by saying,

“Today the Supreme Court fulfilled the words engraved upon its building: ‘Equal justice under law.’ This decision is a victory for same-sex couples across our country as well as all those seeking to live in a nation where every citizen is afforded equal rights. For far too long our justice system has marginalized the gay community and I am very glad the Court has finally caught up to the American people.”

The knowledge that a candidate has been so outspoken in his support is a huge comfort to myself and the rest of the LGBTQ+ community.

3. He campaigns for women’s rights and gender equality.

Sanders voted in favor of the Violence Against Women Act of 1994, which put forth $1.6 billion in efforts to investigate violent crimes against women. In 2012, Bernie co-sponsored a bill that renewed the terms of the VAWA and now includes provisions to protect LGBTQ+ victims as well.

In regards to this bill, Sanders had this to say:

“While we are reducing the incidence of domestic violence, much more has to be done. Too many girls and women are still suffering from domestic violence and sexual abuse and that must end.”

Also, Sanders rightfully supports the notion that women must receive “equal pay for equal work”. One of the main staples of his presidential campaign is pay equity for women workers.

4. He is pro-choice.

In an article for the Huffington Postin 2012, Sanders wrote, “We are not returning to the days of back-room abortions, when countless women died or were maimed. The decision about abortion must remain a decision for the woman, her family and physician to make, not the government.”

This isn’t the first time he has publicly supported abortion. In 1997, fifteen years prior, Sanders stated,

“My position is that a woman's decision whether to have an abortion is a private one, and that this principle must hold true for all women, regardless of income. [Susan] Sweetster describes herself as pro-choice. On the surface, our positions appear similar. But there is one significant difference. She supports a woman's right to an abortion, but only if that woman can afford to pay for one.”

5. He supports environmental reform.

Sanders believes in climate change and thinks that “only aggressive immediate action can offset its future impacts”. He has been consistent in his support of the preservation of the environment and has spoken out against pollution and oil spills. The Rebuild America Act of 2015, which he introduced, is legislation that aims to develop storm and waste water treatment and improve our national parks.

6. He wants to further repair our healthcare system.

Despite his vote for the Affordable Care Act, Sanders does not believe that the bill has done enough to provide adequate healthcare for all Americans, and instead proposes Medicare for All, which is his take on universal healthcare. With this plan, taxpayers will save roughly $500 billion per year.

7. He is pro-gun control.

Sanders is not ignorant when it comes to gun control. He recognizes that a community’s attitude on gun control differs between urban and rural communities. For instance, Bernie’s state of Vermont is the most gun-friendly state in the country, but it also has the the lowest rate of gun-related crimes. Bernie believes in a middle-ground solution in which those who wish to possess guns can while also ensuring that they are used safely and securely and not to harm others. He is also in favor of making background checks a requirement to prevent firearms from being purchased by felons and the mentally ill.

8. He is all about education reform -- at all levels.

Sanders has dedicated a page to the issue of education on his campaign website. In an editorial for the Huffington Post he wrote in 2015, he asks, “Why do we accept a situation where hundreds of thousands of qualified people are unable to go to college because their families don’t have enough money?” To combat this, he has introduced the Free College For All Act, which will attempt to make all public colleges and universities tuition-free.

In regards to early childhood education, in 2011 Sanders introduced the Foundations for Success Act, which calls for the improvement of early childhood care and education. The purpose of this Act “is to provide grants, on a competitive basis, to States to enable such States to establish a State Early Care and Education System, which will provide all children in the State, ages six weeks to kindergarten, with access to a full-time, high quality, developmentally appropriate, early care and education program”.

9. He believes the criminal justice system in America needs major help, too.

In 2000, Sanders voted yes on a bill that supports alternative sentences in terms of rehabilitation programs, a program which the likes of which have been proven to have positive outcomes in regards to reducing prison populations and effectively treating drug addictions. He recognizes that current drug laws have been ineffective and that the “war on drugs” had been expensive and destructive. Bernie believes that the key is treatment for offenders, and not castigation.

Bernie also believes that we need “jobs, not jails”. If this does not occur, the youth of America will continue to be sent down the “school-to-prison pipeline”. There are currently more prisons than colleges in the country, and this will not change unless there is a demand for more job training and access to education for young people.

10. He supports immigrants and immigration reform.


As the son of an immigrant, this issue hits close to home. Sanders has stated the America is a “nation of immigrants” that is where we draw our strength. He supports a plan for immigration reform that will protect undocumented workers from labor exploitation, secure the border, and address the legal status of 11 million undocumented people. His plans for a path to citizenship and permanent residency for undocumented immigrants promise a safe and secure future for people who wish to become a part of our country.

11. He respects people.

Sanders is as genuine as a politician can get. After the first Democratic presidential debate, Sanders helped a reporter who was at risk of being trampled by the crowd. This video is a prime example of how his character sets him apart from other candidates.

Just because it’s epic, here’s a remix of Halsey’s “New Americana” with quotes from Bernie Sanders himself.

Millennial voters are the key to this election. If we show Bernie Sanders the same support at the polls that we do online, he will undoubtedly become our next president. It is imperative that everyone who of is age is registered to vote in the primaries, and even more so that they actually go out and vote. We can control our future, and if we elect the right person to lead our country, it will be a prosperous and successful one. #Bernie2016.

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
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