Why Young Latinos in Rural California Support Sanders

[cali]

Editor’s Note: With the Iowa caucus just weeks away, recent poll numbers suggest Democratic presidential hopeful Bernie Sanders is giving his rival Hillary Clinton a run for her money. According to an influential poll out this week, Sanders is running just 3 points behind Clinton in the state. In California’s predominantly Spanish speaking Eastern Coachella Valley, younger Latinos are responding to Sanders’ message, upending the narrative that his appeal does not extend beyond white voters. Coachella Uninc. youth reporter Olivia Rodriguez spoke to young people in the community about why they support the Vermont senator’s bid. (Image via nationofchange.org.)

Most presidential candidates put so much emphasis on boosting the middle class but always seem to ignore those of us who now live or have lived below the poverty level. The current political structure is not benefiting the country’s working class and we are clearly not a priority on Capitol Hill … Unlike the establishment Democratic Party, Bernie Sanders challenges the status quo by keeping his focus on the interests of not only the working class, but of America as a whole.

I also like the way Bernie Sanders has already increased the civic engagement among young people. I once participated in an action to raise awareness around the need for student aid at Capitol Hill. The only politician who came out to support us was Senator Bernie Sanders. As a student, when I hear presidential candidates speak about university issues, that really matters to me.

– Neftali Galarza, 21

I support Sanders because he is the candidate who most closely represents my ideals and values. I knew about Sanders way before he announced his candidacy and I was very glad to know that he had taken that step. One issue that has interested me is that he wants to make college tuition free. This will have a positive impact on me, my siblings and communities around the country.

– Yolanda Moreno, 22

As an environmentalist I support Sanders because he has been against the XL pipeline and the Trans Pacific Partnership since the beginning, which is not something all presidential candidates can say. Lastly, one of the biggest reasons I support Sanders is that he plans on enforcing antitrust laws in the United States in order to support small farmers in the agriculture industry, which is currently dominated by large corporations. This would be help create a better standard of living for families in the Eastern Coachella Valley. He also plans to invest in rebuilding infrastructure so that rural communities can gain access to services like broadband and high speed internet expansion. Bernie seems to have a good understanding of the state that rural communities are in, the services that rural communities lack and he is committed to finding ways of addressing these challenges.

– Araceli Beltran, 23

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http://newamericamedia.org/2016/01/why-young-latinos-in-rural-california-support-sanders.php

[99th_Monkey]

1. k&r nt

[unapatriciated]

2. k&r

When his message gets out more and more support him. I didn't think Sanders had a chance in the beginning, but was glad he was running. We needed someone to open a dialogue that reflects what the majority of us want to see regarding climate change, income inequality and civil rights. I support and will be voting for Sanders (many of my family and friends are doing the same). I do not have blinders on regarding what he can or cannot accomplish if elected. What I do see is that he will have no problem keeping his base energized in regards to staying involved. He will have no problem reminding us we need to elect more D's to senate and house (or hold those in office accountable) in order to achieve our goals regarding health care, climate change, income inequality ands so on. I know it won't happen overnight and probably not during his first term, but I know we need a starting point. If we do not accomplish this now we may never have another chance.

[Le Taz Hot]

3. I've had first-hand experience with this

in the Central San Joaquin Valley. Word's gotten around that Hillary is open to deporting some immigrants whereas Bernie supports the Dream Act. California will be ready in June to feel the Bern. We just have to get 4 or 5 Super Tuesdays states to stay alive. If he can stay alive after Super Tuesday he's got it. The problem, of course, comes with the super delegates and if they go against the will of the people I can't even imagine what the backlash will be like but it will bury the Democratic Party.