Listen to Donald Trump or turn on Fox News and you will hear the constant refrain: Kamala Harris is more “radical” and more “far left” than Bernie Sanders.
I know this will shock you, but that’s just not the case.
It’s always hard, however, to respond to Trump’s lies because, a day later, his lies become even more preposterous. In any case, as we come together to defeat Trump and elect Vice-President Harris, let me remind you of just one simple fact: despite what the corporate media and political establishment may tell you, the so-called “radical” and “far-left” agenda that the progressive movement is fighting for is enormously popular.
Poll after poll shows that our ideas are supported by an overwhelming majority of Americans who have the crazy idea that maybe, just maybe, government should represent the needs of all of us and not just wealthy campaign donors. It’s also important to understand that many of these “radical” ideas are already in place in countries around the world.
In other words, what’s “radical and crazy” is not what we are proposing, but just how far behind the United States is compared with other wealthy nations in terms of protecting working families, the elderly, the children, the sick and the disabled.
Some examples:
When we talk about guaranteeing healthcare for all as a human right, we’re talking about the ability of every one of us, regardless of income, to go to a doctor when we’re sick and not go bankrupt when we come out of the hospital. We’re talking about the right to change jobs without fear of losing our healthcare. Does that really sound radical to you?
When we talk about our government using its bargaining power to negotiate lower prices for prescription drugs, we’re talking about ending the absurdity of Americans paying, by far, the highest prices in the world for prescription drugs. Does that really sound radical to you?
When we talk about paid family and medical leave, we’re talking about a new mom and dad being able to spend the first few months with their newborn child without rushing back to work the next week, and we’re talking about being able to take care of a loved one who is sick without having to worry about missing a paycheck or losing a job. Does that really sound radical to you?
When we talk about strengthening public education and childcare and paying teachers a decent salary, we’re talking about making sure that all of our children, regardless of income, get the quality education they need to prepare themselves for the future. Does that really sound radical to you?
When we talk about tuition free college, we’re talking about the right of all Americans to get a higher education without leaving school with crushing debt. We’re talking about the ability of the United States to have the kind of highly educated workforce that we need to compete effectively in a highly competitive global economy. Does that really sound radical to you?
When we talk about a “Green New Deal” we’re talking about creating millions of good-paying union jobs that will transform our energy system, protect us from climate change, and create a planet that is habitable for future generations – with less drought, famine, floods, extreme weather disturbances, disease and human suffering. Does that really sound radical to you?
When we talk about raising the minimum wage to a living wage we’re talking about ending starvation wages and preventing people from having to work two or three jobs just to make ends meet for their families. Does that really sound radical to you?
When we talk about strengthening and expanding social security, we’re talking about making sure all of our seniors can retire and live out their lives with dignity. Does that really sound radical to you?
When we talk about expanding Medicare to cover dental, hearing and vision, we’re talking about our seniors being able to chew the food they eat, listen to the sound of their loved ones’ voices, and see the world around them. Does that really sound radical to you?
When we talk about passing the Pro Act, we’re talking about giving working people the ability to exercise their constitutional right to organize unions against illegal, corporate opposition. Does that really sound radical to you?
When we talk about ending Citizens United and moving toward public funding of elections, we’re talking about the need to protect our democracy and prevent billionaires, and their Super Pacs, from buying elections. Does that really sound radical to you?
When we talk about making the wealthy pay their fair share of taxes, we are simply saying that it is time we addressed the unprecedented level of income and wealth inequality that currently exists and end a regressive tax system that allows billionaires to have an effective tax rate lower than nurses or truck drivers. Does that really sound radical to you?
Bottom line: what we are fighting for is not a radical agenda. It is a commonsense agenda that the vast majority of Americans support.
But let me tell you what is radical. It’s a Republican party that wants more tax breaks for billionaires, massive cuts to social security, Medicare and Medicaid benefits, letting polluters destroy our planet and allowing drug companies to charge us whatever they want.
That is radical.
So what are we going to do about it?
In the next few months let us work overtime to defeat Trump and see that Kamala Harris and Tim Walz are elected. Let’s also do all that we can to support progressive candidates throughout the country – and there are many of them up and down the ballot.
And then, the morning after we win, let us accelerate our efforts to educate and organize the American people to implement the agenda that works for them, not just the 1%.
Bernie Sanders is a US senator, and chairman of the health, education, labor and pensions committee. He represents the state of Vermont, and is the longest-serving independent in the history of Congress
