Bernie Sanders argues that Election Day voters delivered a clear rebuke to Donald Trump’s dishonesty, disregard for the Constitution and rule of law, corruption, self-interest and policies. But he says they were also demanding a deeper change: an end to an economic and political system that leaves working people behind.
He points to the financial pressure facing many Americans, including the roughly 60% living paycheck to paycheck, widening inequality, high child poverty, seniors struggling to retire and younger people at risk of having a lower standard of living than their parents. Despite a flood of negative campaign advertising, Sanders says, voters called for more than a return to business as usual.
He also cites an Associated Press poll in which 80% of registered voters said they wanted either sweeping upheaval or substantial change in how the country is run. That included 97% of Democrats, 90% of independents and 58% of Republicans.
Democrats, Sanders writes, won a major victory and will enter the new Congress with more than 250 House members and at least 55 senators. He argues they should use their majority to pass legislation that improves life for working families, rather than relying on criticism of Trump and Republicans or carefully tested political messages.
Trump might veto the bills, Sanders acknowledges. If he signs them, families will benefit; if he rejects them, Republicans could face a steep political cost, he argues.
Health care
Sanders says the U.S. health system is both costly and inadequate. The country spends about twice as much per person as other major nations, he writes, while more than 90 million people are uninsured or underinsured. He also cites more than half a million bankruptcies each year linked to medical debt and over 60,000 deaths he says could be prevented if people could afford care.
He calls health care a right and urges Congress to approve Medicare for All, which he says is supported by 66% of Americans. As an initial step toward a four-year transition, he proposes lowering Medicare eligibility to age 55, adding dental, vision and hearing coverage, and guaranteeing coverage for children from birth through age 19.
Income and wealth inequality
Sanders says wealth is more concentrated in the United States than ever before. He claims the richest 1% own more wealth than the bottom 93% combined, and that Elon Musk alone has more wealth than the bottom 53% of American households.
He proposes a 5% tax on billionaires’ wealth, which he says 61% of Americans support. Sanders argues the revenue could fund a $12,000 payment for working-class families of four, build seven million affordable homes, make public colleges tuition-free, provide free child care for 13 million children and strengthen public schools.
Wages and workers’ rights
With many Americans living from paycheck to paycheck, Sanders calls the federal minimum wage of $7.25 an hour inadequate. He wants it raised to at least $20 an hour and supports the PRO Act, which he says would make it easier for workers to form unions. In his view, employment should help people escape poverty, not keep them in it.
Social Security and retirement
Sanders says one-third of seniors are struggling financially, more than one in five live on under $15,000 a year, and nearly half have no retirement savings. He also objects that billionaires pay the same amount into Social Security as people earning $184,600.
His proposed fix is to apply Social Security payroll taxes to income above $250,000, including capital gains and dividends. Sanders says that could increase benefits by $2,400 a year, reduce senior poverty and extend the program’s financial stability for generations, without raising taxes on the bottom 91% of Americans. He also calls for guaranteed pensions to be restored.
Artificial intelligence and robotics
Sanders warns that major technology companies are investing enormous sums in AI and robotics with too little oversight. He says the technology could eliminate millions of jobs, harm children’s mental health, undermine privacy, increase electricity costs and put pressure on water supplies. He also raises the possibility that uncontrolled superintelligence could threaten humanity.
He proposes a national pause on AI data centers, a halt to advanced AI development and a ban on superintelligence. Sanders says 63% of Americans support a moratorium on data centers.
Climate change
Pointing to rising temperatures, deadly heat, large wildfires and extreme weather, Sanders calls for a major shift away from fossil fuels. He says investment in energy efficiency and sustainable energy could create millions of well-paying jobs.
Military spending
Sanders says the wars in Vietnam, Iraq and Iran were built on falsehoods. He argues that the United States spends more on its military than the next six countries combined, while the Pentagon has repeatedly failed independent audits and cannot account for trillions of dollars.
He also says Trump’s war in Iran is costing hundreds of billions of dollars. Sanders calls for ending the conflict, stopping U.S. funding for Israel’s government, which he describes as genocidal, and significantly reducing military spending.
Immigration and ICE
Sanders says that since Trump took office, ICE agents have shot American citizens, forced their way into homes and sent young children to detention centers. He describes these actions as immoral, unconstitutional and damaging to the economy.
He wants Congress to revoke the $75 billion Republicans provided for ICE, which he characterizes as a domestic force. In place of enforcement that frightens communities, he calls for comprehensive immigration reform and a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants.
Campaign finance
Sanders says Elon Musk and other billionaires spent a record $2 billion in recent elections, arguing that such spending is incompatible with democracy. He says Americans broadly want Congress to overturn Citizens United and eliminate super PACs, so political power rests with voters rather than wealthy donors.
Sanders argues that these proposals are not radical, but ideas supported by majorities of Americans. He says Democrats have a chance to rebuild trust in democracy by delivering practical benefits to working families and showing that government can serve people beyond the wealthiest 1%.
In his view, Election Day gave Democrats a significant opportunity, and they should not waste it.
