Why I support Bernie Sanders...

[Kip Humphrey]

When Bernie first announced that he was thinking of running, I began to support him. The reasons are many, some might say they are YUUUUGE. Anyway, in no particular order, here are the things that Bernie Sanders will fight for that I want too:

Set as US's top priority to address climate change and work with countries of the world to stop the man-made global warming before it's too late

No TPP/TPIP/TISA and reverse NAFTA & CAFTA, replacing all with fair trade, fair to American workers

Cardcheck and make it easier for workers to form unions, and promote worker-owned enterprises

Throw out the machines (except for disabled access) and institute hand counted paper ballot voting thereby eliminating unverifiable, proprietary trade secret, electronic voting systems

Expand free public education to include free public college and university tuition, increase Pell grants for assistance covering books, room and board, and provide college loan relief to those saddled with school debt

Universal healthcare without co-pays, deductibles, or partial coverage while covering full medical, mental, dental, eye care, the whole you.

Reduce the corruption in our political system by reversing Citizens United, moving to publicly funded elections, and passing a Voter's Bill of Rights.

End the current wars, have as policy that war is a last resort and will never be preemptive, and end US hegemony around the world by closing most of the 1,000+ US military installations currently operating in other countries

Ban fracking and move away from fossil fuel dependency

Eliminate the private, for-profit prison industrial complex, demilitarize local police, require DOJ investigations of all police shootings, and set standards and tie funding to community policing, police diversity to reflect the community they serve, and better police training.

Break up the too-big-to-fail banks, restore Glass-Stegal, provide basic community banking services through USPS branches.

Invest $1 trillion to repair and improve our infrastructure, creating millions of new jobs in the process

Increase the federal minimum wage to $15 per hour and tie it to the federal COLA

Expand Social Security benefits so seniors can live out their lives in health, with dignity, and without poverty and personal catfood consumption

Require employers to provide 3 months of paid family leave due to childbirth or family injury or illness

Remove marijuana from the federal list of class 1 drugs, end the War on Drugs, and begin treating drug addiction as a health concern

Start and lead a peaceful, "We The People" revolution and call on those citizens to demand the above changes of their elected officials, and in the process, build a informed citizenry of active participants in our democracy[edited]

Final Thoughts
Bernie Sanders has been thinking about and discussing the message he delivers today for 40 years. He is consistent, authentic, and a man of great integrity. I have waited my entire life (well, since RFK was killed anyway) for a presidential candidate like Bernie Sanders.

So, vote for Bernie Sanders like the lives of your grandchildren depended on it. Because they most surely do.

[silverweb]

1. Excellent summation!

[font color="purple"]Feelin' The Bern!

[Ned_Devine]

2. I'm just going to steal all of your reasons and use them as my reasons too, ok?

[Kip Humphrey]

5. please do & if you can add something, please share it here (like I forgot to add the revolution!)

edited into original OP.

[840high]

3. k/r with love for Bernie.

[merrily]

4. He's is on the right side of history and almost always has been.

[pacalo]

6. His integrity & good judgment mean the most to me (since day 1).

[Dragonfli]

7. K&R

[Donkees]

8. Advocate of animal welfare and humane treatment

Advocate of animal welfare and humane treatment

Bernie Sanders is an advocate of animal welfare and ensuring animals' humane treatment. He has co-sponsored several pieces of legislation to protect the interests of animals and has recently received a 100 percent rating from the Humane Society Legislative Fund (HSLF):
Breeding and Captivity Practices: No animal should be subjected to inhumane commercial breeding habits nor should they be contained within neglected and inadequate shelters.
Livestock Issues: All animals that are raised for food should be treated humanely with minimum standards of care.
Cruelty Toward Animals: Non-human animals must be protected from all forms of cruelty, suffering and abuse, whether in captivity or in the wild.
Protecting Wildlife: All wild animals must be protected from unnecessary danger to their livelihood and habitats, including threats to endangered species.

[Donkees]

9. Protect important watersheds and wildlife areas

Protect important watersheds and wildlife areas

Bernie Sanders has consistently advocated for and worked towards legislation that protects important watersheds and wildlife areas. He introduced key legislation with The Rebuild America Act of 2015 to improve stormwater and wastewater treatment and improve our national parks. Bernie has spoken out against black carbon pollution and drilling initiatives which carry high risk of oil spills, and he has voted and continues to work to fund the Land and Water Conservation Fund.
Conservation: Aims to ensure the continued conservation of watersheds, national reserves, and natural areas.
Clean Water and Air: Recognizes the importance of clean water and air to the continued health of ecosystems and public health.
Public Parks & Hunting Lands: Supports the continued and strong funding of parks, hunting lands, and public use areas.

[Oixi1993]

10. Good stuff

I am going to use this!!!