Bernie Sanders. Surely you’ve heard of him. He is the longest serving independent in Congress, an eight-term representative in the House and is currently on his second term as one of two Vermont senators.
A controversial figure, Sanders is conducting his first campaign for the presidency of the U.S., and is doing startlingly well. According to a recent Quinnipiac University Poll, Sanders holds 25 percent of the Democratic vote. That is incredible for an aging, openly socialist candidate running against the most endorsed candidate in recent history (Hillary Clinton holds more than 400 endorsements from members and former members of the American government). Additionally, Sanders is even beating Clinton in early primary states like Iowa and New Hampshire. Most conservatives dismiss Sanders as unelectable, refusing to give him a chance. Here are three reasons why they are wrong.
1. Bernie Sanders desperately wants to separate money and politics. In 2010, the Supreme Court ruled in the Citizen’s United V. FEC that corporations deserved the same rights as humans and could therefore donate unlimited amounts of money to whichever candidate they desired. This allows the rich to donate hundreds of millions of dollars to their chosen candidate in the form of super PACs. Sanders refuses to accept any money affiliated with super PACs, and instead raises the majority of his campaign funds from the middle class in the form of thousands of tiny donations. Sanders wants to ignite a “political revolution” against the “oligarchy.” Irrespective of his other opinions, that remains a triumphant ideal to set about achieving.
2. Bernie Sanders is consistent in his policy beliefs. Sanders has served in Congress for the past 25 years. Throughout his tenure, Sanders has remained utterly committed to his views, not backpedaling on any. He rejected the idea of the Iraq invasion and the Patriot Act. And yes, he has supported gay rights since the 70s. Regardless of your positions on those actions, is it not commendable that he is true to his beliefs? Honesty is always preferred over lies.
3. Bernie Sanders wants to partner with you. Recently, Sanders traveled to the conservative Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia. Liberty has somewhat similar demographics as Harding — conservative Evangelicals. Therefore, his statements there can just as well apply to Harding students.
“I believe from the bottom of my heart that it is vitally important for those of us who hold different views to be able to engage in a civil discourse,” Sanders said. “I understand that the issues of abortion and gay marriage are issues that you feel very strongly about. We disagree on those issues. I get that, but let me respectfully suggest that there are other issues out there that are of enormous consequence to our country and in fact to the entire world, that maybe, just maybe, we do not disagree on, and maybe, just maybe, we can try to work together to resolve them.”
I’m willing to give Sanders a chance, are you?
