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Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders (D-VT) shakes hands with United Steelworkers President, Local 1999, Chuck Jones, after having breakfast at Peppy Grill on May 3, 2016 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo: Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
'He's Not Slowing Down': Sanders to Rip Trump, Push for Single Payer on Midwest Tour
The tour will aim to demonstrate that Sanders' ambitious progressive agenda—which includes a $15 minimum wage, Medicare for All, and tuition-free public college—has "universal appeal."
Aug 20, 2017
As new polling data shows President Donald Trump's support flagging in several electorally crucial Midwest states, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) is gearing up for his three-state Midwest "Pickup Tour," which will aim to demonstrate that his ambitious progressive agenda--which includes a $15 federal minimum wage, Medicare for All, and tuition-free public college--has "universal appeal."
The tour is scheduled to begin on Monday in Indianapolis, Indiana, where Sanders will join former United Steelworkers Local 1999 President Chuck Jones at a rally focused primarily on jobs and income inequality.
"What we want to do is hold some of the politicians accountable for some of the campaign promises made and bring attention to the fact that something needs to change."
--Chuck Jones
"Elected officials and local activists will draw attention to the fact that Trump has failed to deliver on his promises to put workers first and stop the offshoring of American jobs," Indiana Talks noted in its summary of the tour's objectives.
Jones made headlines in December when he accused Trump of lying to Carrier workers about the number of jobs the company planned to keep in the country. Trump attacked Jones on Twitter, and Jones hit back with an op-ed in the Washington Post, accusing Trump of selling workers "a false hope."
On Monday, Jones plans to deliver a similar message.
"What we want to do is hold some of the politicians accountable for some of the campaign promises made and bring attention to the fact that something needs to change," Jones told USA Today. "No matter if it's to Mexico or to China or to wherever, we are losing good-paying jobs, and some of these companies responsible are being rewarded with government contracts."
Speaking to the Washington Post, Sanders echoed Jones, saying: "We've got a chance to be heard, and we've got to use that chance to explain what a progressive economic agenda is all about."
"We want a $15 minimum wage," Sanders concluded. "Donald Trump has said wages should be lower. And that's our point."
Sanders will then travel to Portsmouth, Ohio on Tuesday, where he will speak about healthcare and the economy before making a final stop in Detroit, Michigan for a town hall-style event with Rep. John Conyers (D-Mich.), where the two congressmen will discuss single-payer healthcare.
Conyers has introduced a Medicare for All bill every year since 2003. But this year is different, he has said.
"I have never seen more enthusiasm and energy behind this issue than what I'm seeing today," Conyers observed.
"We want a $15 minimum wage. Donald Trump has said wages should be lower. And that's our point."
--Sen. Bernie Sanders
Much of the recent enthusiasm for single payer emerged during the struggle against the Republican Party's attempt to dismantle the Affordable Care Act. Over the last several months, polls have shown support for single payer surging, and Sanders is looking to capitalize on this moment, particularly in areas Trump won in November.
"Now is the time for us to summon the courage to create a healthcare system which benefits all Americans, and not just those who make billions off of the current wasteful, bureaucratic, and dysfunctional system," Sanders wrote in a recent op-ed for The Guardian.
Sanders is reportedly planning to introduce Medicare for All legislation when Congress returns from recess in September.
We are at a crossroads
This country and this world are at a monumental crossroads. US voters have an opportunity to beat back the forces of fascism and confront the billionaires who are rigging the economy, our media system, and our democracy, making it increasingly impossible for ordinary people to get by. We’re not just talking about the election. We’re talking about what must be done once these fascist elements are vanquished from power. We need a bolder set of solutions than what either major party has so far been willing to offer and a working-class movement ready to fight like hell for it. Trump didn't emerge from nowhere. The conditions that fueled MAGA authoritarianism were created by decades of radical neoliberal economic policies and a corrupt political system dominated by corporate interests. They slashed taxes on the super-rich, promising that the benefits would trickle down. They said giveaways to the corporate titans would make life more affordable for the rest of us. It was all bullshit. And when a bitter, betrayed populace searches for someone to blame, right-wing demagogues have little trouble finding scapegoats. People know when they're being lied to, but you won't hear any of this from the corporate media. Only independent journalism—powered and funded by people who believe in building a better world—can deliver truly trustworthy daily news. If you share our vision, please contribute whatever you can to sustain our work. |
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As new polling data shows President Donald Trump's support flagging in several electorally crucial Midwest states, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) is gearing up for his three-state Midwest "Pickup Tour," which will aim to demonstrate that his ambitious progressive agenda--which includes a $15 federal minimum wage, Medicare for All, and tuition-free public college--has "universal appeal."
The tour is scheduled to begin on Monday in Indianapolis, Indiana, where Sanders will join former United Steelworkers Local 1999 President Chuck Jones at a rally focused primarily on jobs and income inequality.
"What we want to do is hold some of the politicians accountable for some of the campaign promises made and bring attention to the fact that something needs to change."
--Chuck Jones
"Elected officials and local activists will draw attention to the fact that Trump has failed to deliver on his promises to put workers first and stop the offshoring of American jobs," Indiana Talks noted in its summary of the tour's objectives.
Jones made headlines in December when he accused Trump of lying to Carrier workers about the number of jobs the company planned to keep in the country. Trump attacked Jones on Twitter, and Jones hit back with an op-ed in the Washington Post, accusing Trump of selling workers "a false hope."
On Monday, Jones plans to deliver a similar message.
"What we want to do is hold some of the politicians accountable for some of the campaign promises made and bring attention to the fact that something needs to change," Jones told USA Today. "No matter if it's to Mexico or to China or to wherever, we are losing good-paying jobs, and some of these companies responsible are being rewarded with government contracts."
Speaking to the Washington Post, Sanders echoed Jones, saying: "We've got a chance to be heard, and we've got to use that chance to explain what a progressive economic agenda is all about."
"We want a $15 minimum wage," Sanders concluded. "Donald Trump has said wages should be lower. And that's our point."
Sanders will then travel to Portsmouth, Ohio on Tuesday, where he will speak about healthcare and the economy before making a final stop in Detroit, Michigan for a town hall-style event with Rep. John Conyers (D-Mich.), where the two congressmen will discuss single-payer healthcare.
Conyers has introduced a Medicare for All bill every year since 2003. But this year is different, he has said.
"I have never seen more enthusiasm and energy behind this issue than what I'm seeing today," Conyers observed.
"We want a $15 minimum wage. Donald Trump has said wages should be lower. And that's our point."
--Sen. Bernie Sanders
Much of the recent enthusiasm for single payer emerged during the struggle against the Republican Party's attempt to dismantle the Affordable Care Act. Over the last several months, polls have shown support for single payer surging, and Sanders is looking to capitalize on this moment, particularly in areas Trump won in November.
"Now is the time for us to summon the courage to create a healthcare system which benefits all Americans, and not just those who make billions off of the current wasteful, bureaucratic, and dysfunctional system," Sanders wrote in a recent op-ed for The Guardian.
Sanders is reportedly planning to introduce Medicare for All legislation when Congress returns from recess in September.
As new polling data shows President Donald Trump's support flagging in several electorally crucial Midwest states, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) is gearing up for his three-state Midwest "Pickup Tour," which will aim to demonstrate that his ambitious progressive agenda--which includes a $15 federal minimum wage, Medicare for All, and tuition-free public college--has "universal appeal."
The tour is scheduled to begin on Monday in Indianapolis, Indiana, where Sanders will join former United Steelworkers Local 1999 President Chuck Jones at a rally focused primarily on jobs and income inequality.
"What we want to do is hold some of the politicians accountable for some of the campaign promises made and bring attention to the fact that something needs to change."
--Chuck Jones
"Elected officials and local activists will draw attention to the fact that Trump has failed to deliver on his promises to put workers first and stop the offshoring of American jobs," Indiana Talks noted in its summary of the tour's objectives.
Jones made headlines in December when he accused Trump of lying to Carrier workers about the number of jobs the company planned to keep in the country. Trump attacked Jones on Twitter, and Jones hit back with an op-ed in the Washington Post, accusing Trump of selling workers "a false hope."
On Monday, Jones plans to deliver a similar message.
"What we want to do is hold some of the politicians accountable for some of the campaign promises made and bring attention to the fact that something needs to change," Jones told USA Today. "No matter if it's to Mexico or to China or to wherever, we are losing good-paying jobs, and some of these companies responsible are being rewarded with government contracts."
Speaking to the Washington Post, Sanders echoed Jones, saying: "We've got a chance to be heard, and we've got to use that chance to explain what a progressive economic agenda is all about."
"We want a $15 minimum wage," Sanders concluded. "Donald Trump has said wages should be lower. And that's our point."
Sanders will then travel to Portsmouth, Ohio on Tuesday, where he will speak about healthcare and the economy before making a final stop in Detroit, Michigan for a town hall-style event with Rep. John Conyers (D-Mich.), where the two congressmen will discuss single-payer healthcare.
Conyers has introduced a Medicare for All bill every year since 2003. But this year is different, he has said.
"I have never seen more enthusiasm and energy behind this issue than what I'm seeing today," Conyers observed.
"We want a $15 minimum wage. Donald Trump has said wages should be lower. And that's our point."
--Sen. Bernie Sanders
Much of the recent enthusiasm for single payer emerged during the struggle against the Republican Party's attempt to dismantle the Affordable Care Act. Over the last several months, polls have shown support for single payer surging, and Sanders is looking to capitalize on this moment, particularly in areas Trump won in November.
"Now is the time for us to summon the courage to create a healthcare system which benefits all Americans, and not just those who make billions off of the current wasteful, bureaucratic, and dysfunctional system," Sanders wrote in a recent op-ed for The Guardian.
Sanders is reportedly planning to introduce Medicare for All legislation when Congress returns from recess in September.
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