My Story - Why I support Bernie Sanders
So, I’m a millenial, a young, barely educated rebel with a dollar in my pocket. Also a registered democrat, supporting Bernie Sanders in this Presidential primary. Why am I supporting the democratic socialist? Well... that's a bit of a story.
I was what you might call a problem child, in my early childhood. I was frequently depressed, anxious, frequently bullied at school by teachers and students - a very strange, shy child, who preferred books over the company and conversation of his fellow students. I performed very poorly in the public education system, due in part to social issues (bullying, the general ignorance at the time that such young children could suffer from severe anxiety disorders, etc.) and in part, perhaps, to my introverted nature. I was eventually (at 14) diagnosed with post traumatic stress disorder and resulting anxiety and depression. Without going into detail - trust me, it really sucks.
Later in life, I was a GED educated, minimum wage worker for several years. I was one of those young people (18) who had a child when being unprepared in regards to finance, maturity - and even overall responsibility. I tried - and ultimately failed (losing my relationship with my child’s mother - and access to my child mostly due to lack of money) I have been a telemarketer, a dishwasher, a gopher for various carpenters, I worked for farmers, performed manual labor under the table, worked for hotels, call centers - I performed many of the low wage, often ignored jobs of the sort that those in my social circle were able to earn.
Of course, I eventually matured (somewhat) and realized that if I wanted a better life, I’d have to go back to school. So, aged 29, with years of hard work, struggle, poverty and various other things under my belt... I applied at a local university, with forty dollars borrowed from my parents for the application fee.
I was accepted, due, in large part, to my writing ability (which I think is mostly the result of very frequent reading throughout my life) and the fact that who ever read my application essay found me to be intelligent.
I was given significant money in grants - and more money through various student loans. Thus armed, I felt that I could easily make it through a four year degree program. I wanted to be a college Professor, to teach English - creative writing, specifically.
I had my own apartment, with the benefit of financial aid and help from my parents - and felt ready to take on the world. During the first half of the year, I had poor job prospects. I applied for many, received a few phone calls, but was in an area where jobs were far more in demand than employees - and had no money allocated for a work study program. Nonetheless, I assumed that, through hard work and determination, I would eventually find some kind of employment.
Regardless of my financial nervousness, I thrived at school. I earned excellent grades, I got along with both professors and students, both old and young - and really loved the atmosphere of the university. Friendly, engaged, enthusiastic, hopeful about our future... moving forward.
During the second half of that school year, however, I ran out of funding - and despite filling out many applications and taking part in several interviews, still didn’t have a job. So I made changes. I stopped buying healthy food and drink, and paid for bulk products like ramen noodles, mac & cheese, non-name brand items from Walmart, etc. I even stopped taking one of two psychiatric medications I was on at the time, because I couldn’t pay for it anymore.
I budgeted for everything I could, knocked off every last bit of spending I could... and on several occasions simply didn’t eat because I couldn’t afford to. Three meals a day became a luxury rather than a necessity, poor nutrition eventually led to less energy, significantly poorer health - and so on and so forth.
My grades started to plummet, my ability to concentrate became significantly less than what it had been. I became frustrated, depressed, less willing to engage other people or strike up, or even engage in conversation. Ultimately, the good grades I had earned started to plummet, my landlord was getting pretty annoyed about late rent... and no one really had the money to help me out.
At the end of the year, I moved back in with my parents, thousands of dollars in debt, broke, unemployed - and without health insurance of any kind. The next couple of years (up until now) I have spent working in retail (gas station), as a bar tender (local, small restaurant) and in hospitality (front desk for a hotel). All of these positions paid either minimum wage, or a dollar or so above, at most.
Still, throughout all of this time, with both full time and part time jobs, I had no health insurance with the exception of a couple of months of time when I (barely) earned enough to qualify for the subsidies in the ACA. Medicaid expansion was not passed in my state. Ultimately I lost even my subsidies through the ACA due to a job loss.
A few months ago, I injured my back, significantly enough that there is never a moment without pain. Significantly enough that I can only tolerate standing for a limited amount of time - that I can’t lift what I used to, can’t perform the tasks most types of work require.
As of today, I became unemployed.
Neither health insurance, nor funding for school are available to me. Quite the opposite - I have, over the years, built up thousands of dollars both in medical and in student loan debt. I have a mental illness for which I take medications I can’t afford anymore - and, through the kindness and compassion of family, fortunately, have at least a place to live and the basic necessities of life.
I cannot file for bankruptcy to save my ass. It would not clear my debt. I have to be very careful in what jobs I apply for, as I am now physically limited in what I can do. I cannot get medical funding for the physical therapy that might restore my body, nor can I afford therapy for some rather serious psychological issues.
My prospects look kind of shitty, to be totally honest. I have a son living in another state that I can’t communicate with, a girlfriend that lives in another state - and a family, and home life, that is frequently chaotic and at times downright insane. I love my family, but I never figured I’d end up living with mom and dad for my whole life.
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I shared this to make a point. A college education funded through our tax system would have enabled me to remain in school. A system of universal healthcare might very well have made such a difference in my life that I would today be a productive, successful, thriving member of society in some way.
Higher wages might have enabled me to save enough money that, right now, I would be able to live with some level of independence or self respect. I would at least be able to pay for my car, despite being recently let go from my job due to health problems.
I did things in my life that were stupid. Things also happened in my life that were destructive, that I didn’t have much or any control over. I am primarily responsible for my failures, I don’t deny that....
However, consider your own life. Consider the lives of your friends and families, how many do you know who have stories that are at least somewhat similar to my own? How many of you have cried at night because you couldn’t buy toys for your kids at christmas? How many of you are desperately struggling to repay student loans with high interest rates?
The changes Sanders is talking about... they could alter our society in such fundamental ways that thousands, even millions, might be saved. Might have not only better lives than would otherwise be available, but be saved from the often miserable lives of deep poverty, poor opportunity, poor health and generally poor everything.
We can make these changes, if we work for them. We can enable a system of publically funded higher education, of universal healthcare, of higher wages, better workers rights. Not only CAN we do these things, fellow DUers, but we must, if we are to make true progress as a society, as a people, as human beings with compassion, courage, empathy and strength.
I wish I could go back in time and do things differently. Live a different life. I can’t though. What I have right now, is hope, that this democratic socialist and his followers can make our world a better place. Not just hope, but faith, and deep passion for this fight.
I would beg you all to join me in this. Whether you support Sanders or not, let’s support the progressive changes he promotes. I could be you. I could be your son, your brother, your sister or mother, your friend. You could be me. There but for the grace of...
Main street needs our help, the average citizen needs our help. The working poor desperately need our help. Let’s fight for them, let’s organize, let’s get things done. If we don’t... the worst thing that can happen will continue to happen.... nothing.
Sympathize with my story or not, empathize or not, let us all acknowledge that anyone could have a story like mine, or a much worse one. We can make stories like mine, struggles like mine, poverty and suffering like mine... things of the past. We just have to give enough of a damn to do something about it.
Join me in this struggle, I'm not just fighting for me, I'm fighting for all of us, broken, broke, and screwed up as I am. I'm giving this fight all I've got.
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Thanks for sharing, davidthegnome. 
I feel for you, david, and yes I will vote for Bernie for you and people who are struggling so hard. Poor health should not put people into poverty or despair. Doing without psych meds is all too common and it shouldn't happen in the richest nation in the world with pharmaceutical companies making obscene wealth for their CEOs. I'm so glad you're still hopeful for the future. Best to you and yours. We're all in this together.
