American Democrat Sets Example for Honest Politics
Bernie Sanders runs for Democrat leadership with help from American people
Rhys Dent, Contributor
According to a 2012 study by the non-profit United Republic, 91 percent of the time, the candidate with more money wins American congressional races. So when a middle class U.S Senator announced he was running for president as a democrat, relying solely on public funding, no one thought Bernie Sanders stood much of a chance.
Not to mention he’s a socialist.
Almost three months later it turns out what was thought to be his greatest weakness was actually his greatest strength. It has allowed him the freedom to say what he truly thinks without having to consider the interests of big donors. Money isn’t the only way to have your message heard. It seems telling the truth can be equally powerful.
Since his announcement, Sanders has been steadily gaining popularity and is set to give Hilary Clinton a run for her super PAC’s money. A recent CNN/ORC poll showed that nationally, 27 percent of respondents support Sanders; only ten points below Clinton. In August, at a rally in Portland, ORE. Sanders drew the biggest turnout for any candidate thus far with a total of 28,000 people.
His promises include free tuition for public college and university, tax hikes on the wealthiest Americans, taking on the country’s biggest financial institutions, spending cuts on the military, a true universal health care system, a $15 dollar an hour minimum wage by 2020 and pretty much anything else you would find in a lefty’s wet dream.
If elected, his policies will have a direct effect on Canada. Part of his plan is to end NAFTA, as well as well other trade agreements he refers to as “disastrous.” British Columbians should be happy to hear that he has continually opposed the construction of the Keystone pipeline.
More importantly, whether or not Sanders becomes the next Democratic party leader, his campaign is proving that the Internet is an effective method to challenge establishment politics. You don’t need copious amounts of expensive advertising to get your name out there, you just a need to give people enough reasons to get excited and spread the word. If this can be done in a country like the United States, it certainly can be done up here.
Our democratic system may arguably, be in a better state than that of our Southern neighbor’s, but our candidates still leave much to be desired, particularly when it comes to authenticity. People are sick of the same old. It has become increasingly apparent that there is hope for genuine well-meaning leaders.
If what Bernie Sanders is doing is the start of a new trend, then I look forward to the day when I can cast my vote with pride instead of reluctantly deciding on the candidate I dislike the least.
