By: Mason Benovy

For the past 40 years, Sanders has defended the people. Born on September 8th, 1941 in Brooklyn, New York, Bernie Sanders is an American politician and Junior Senator of Vermont. He is seeking candidacy for the Democratic Party for the President of the United States. Sanders officially announced his campaign on April 30th of 2015.

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  Consistency. Sanders has been espousing the same views for over 40 years now. He attended and walked in the 1963 March on Washington. During his first year of college Sanders organized a sit in at University of Chicago’s administrative building, when apartments owned by the university refused to rent to black students. The sit in ended after 15 days, when the University’s president agreed to to form a commission to study the school’s housing policies. Later in 1962, Sanders was arrested for protesting segregation in public schools. Since then, Sanders has been advocating for racial equality, illustrating a consistent stance on the issues for decades.

• LGBT rights. During his first term of Mayor of Burlington, Sanders supported the city’s first Pride Parade. Later, he signed a city ordinance banning housing discrimination. On top of this, Sanders voted against the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” act, which banned lesbians and gays to be members of the US military. He also voted against the “Defense of Marriage Act,” which banned gay marriage. In 2015, Bernie Sanders supported the Supreme Court’s decision to legalize gay marriage, saying that it was 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.”

• Healthcare is a right, not a privilege. The United States spends more on healthcare per person than any other advanced nation in the world, but somehow 29 million United States citizens don’t have health insurance. Sanders’ plan for universal healthcare is a 2.2% payroll tax increase, that will save the average American $5000 a year. It is also estimated the save the United States $6 Trillion over the next decade. This plan will give better, fuller, and easier coverage to every United States citizen.

• War is the last option. As a Commander in Chief, Sanders will defend America, its people, and America’s best interest as a nation. As a member of Congress, Sanders only supported the use of force when it was a last resort and America’s best interests were at stake. Sanders voted against the Iraq War, and believes the invasion was one of the worst foreign policy decisions in United States history. As President, Sanders will ensure that any military action the US takes has clear goals, and provides support to allies in the region.

• Solve wealth inequality. The United States remains to be the richest country on this earth, but wealth inequality is at an all time high. To combat this, Bernie plans to stop corporations from keeping their money and jobs overseas to avoid paying U.S. income taxes. Sanders will also expand Social Security by removing the cap on taxable income at $250,000. This will lower the poverty rate, and give more Americans the ability to retire with dignity.

In an election that will be a turning point for our nation, a president who is trustworthy and defends the American people is essential. Bernie Sanders can and will fulfill this job.

Support Bernie Sanders.