SUBSCRIBE TO OUR FREE NEWSLETTER
Daily news & progressive opinion—funded by the people, not the corporations—delivered straight to your inbox.
5
#000000
#FFFFFF
5
#000000
#FFFFFF
Former Vice President Joe Biden looks on as Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) speaks during the second night of the first Democratic presidential debate on June 27, 2019 in Miami, Florida. (Photo: Drew Angerer/Getty Images)
'This Is the Agenda America Needs': Sanders Fires Back After Biden Attacks Medicare for All and Other Progressive Solutions
"I'm proud to be working with AOC and so many other Democrats to pass Medicare for All, debt-free college, and a Green New Deal," said Sen. Bernie Sanders
Jul 05, 2019
After former Vice President Joe Biden attacked Medicare for All, decriminalization of border crossings, and other major progressive agenda items during an interview that aired Friday morning, fellow 2020 White House contender Bernie Sanders responded that bold ideas will be necessary to "energize voters" and defeat President Donald Trump.
"I'm proud to be working with AOC and so many other Democrats to pass Medicare for All, debt-free college, and a Green New Deal," Sanders tweeted, referring to Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.). "This is the agenda America needs."
Biden was asked by CNN's Chris Cuomo whether he supports "big" ideas like tuition-free public college and student debt cancellation--two policies backed by Sanders.
"For example, I think there should be healthcare for everyone. I have a plan how to do that that's rational, and will cost a hell of a lot less, and will work," said Biden, who has not put out a healthcare plan.
Biden suggested he supports allowing Americans to buy in to Medicare instead of going all the way to Medicare for All, which he slammed as disruptive and costly despite studies showing it would save the U.S. trillions of dollars in overall healthcare spending.
"If they like their employer-based insurance, which a lot of unions broke their neck to get, a lot of people like theirs, they shouldn't have to give it up," Biden said. "If you don't go my way and you go their way you have to give up all that. What's gonna happen when you have 300 million people landing on a healthcare plan. How long is that going to take? What's it going to do?"
On the topic of immigration, Biden said he doesn't agree with calls to decriminalize entering the U.S. without documentation, a proposal put forth by Julian Castro and backed by Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.).
"No, I don't," Biden said when asked if he supports the proposal. "I think people should have to get in line, but if people are coming because they're actually seeking asylum, they should have a chance to make their case."
The former vice president also downplayed Ocasio-Cortez's victory over Rep. Joe Crowley last year and suggested her ideas don't have broad appeal.
"I think Ocasio-Cortez is a brilliant, bright woman, but she won a primary," Biden said. "In the general election fights, who won? Mainstream Democrats who are very progressive on social issues and very strong on education and healthcare."
Biden's comments on Ocasio-Cortez sparked immediate backlash:
"As I've said many times," tweeted Intercept columnist Shaun King, "every time Joe Biden opens his mouth he gets himself in trouble. It's why this is the first interview he's done in months."
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. |
Our work is licensed under Creative Commons (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0). Feel free to republish and share widely.
bernie sanderscorporate powereducationelection 2020healthcareinequalityjoe bidenmedicare for allsingle-payer
After former Vice President Joe Biden attacked Medicare for All, decriminalization of border crossings, and other major progressive agenda items during an interview that aired Friday morning, fellow 2020 White House contender Bernie Sanders responded that bold ideas will be necessary to "energize voters" and defeat President Donald Trump.
"I'm proud to be working with AOC and so many other Democrats to pass Medicare for All, debt-free college, and a Green New Deal," Sanders tweeted, referring to Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.). "This is the agenda America needs."
Biden was asked by CNN's Chris Cuomo whether he supports "big" ideas like tuition-free public college and student debt cancellation--two policies backed by Sanders.
"For example, I think there should be healthcare for everyone. I have a plan how to do that that's rational, and will cost a hell of a lot less, and will work," said Biden, who has not put out a healthcare plan.
Biden suggested he supports allowing Americans to buy in to Medicare instead of going all the way to Medicare for All, which he slammed as disruptive and costly despite studies showing it would save the U.S. trillions of dollars in overall healthcare spending.
"If they like their employer-based insurance, which a lot of unions broke their neck to get, a lot of people like theirs, they shouldn't have to give it up," Biden said. "If you don't go my way and you go their way you have to give up all that. What's gonna happen when you have 300 million people landing on a healthcare plan. How long is that going to take? What's it going to do?"
On the topic of immigration, Biden said he doesn't agree with calls to decriminalize entering the U.S. without documentation, a proposal put forth by Julian Castro and backed by Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.).
"No, I don't," Biden said when asked if he supports the proposal. "I think people should have to get in line, but if people are coming because they're actually seeking asylum, they should have a chance to make their case."
The former vice president also downplayed Ocasio-Cortez's victory over Rep. Joe Crowley last year and suggested her ideas don't have broad appeal.
"I think Ocasio-Cortez is a brilliant, bright woman, but she won a primary," Biden said. "In the general election fights, who won? Mainstream Democrats who are very progressive on social issues and very strong on education and healthcare."
Biden's comments on Ocasio-Cortez sparked immediate backlash:
"As I've said many times," tweeted Intercept columnist Shaun King, "every time Joe Biden opens his mouth he gets himself in trouble. It's why this is the first interview he's done in months."
After former Vice President Joe Biden attacked Medicare for All, decriminalization of border crossings, and other major progressive agenda items during an interview that aired Friday morning, fellow 2020 White House contender Bernie Sanders responded that bold ideas will be necessary to "energize voters" and defeat President Donald Trump.
"I'm proud to be working with AOC and so many other Democrats to pass Medicare for All, debt-free college, and a Green New Deal," Sanders tweeted, referring to Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.). "This is the agenda America needs."
Biden was asked by CNN's Chris Cuomo whether he supports "big" ideas like tuition-free public college and student debt cancellation--two policies backed by Sanders.
"For example, I think there should be healthcare for everyone. I have a plan how to do that that's rational, and will cost a hell of a lot less, and will work," said Biden, who has not put out a healthcare plan.
Biden suggested he supports allowing Americans to buy in to Medicare instead of going all the way to Medicare for All, which he slammed as disruptive and costly despite studies showing it would save the U.S. trillions of dollars in overall healthcare spending.
"If they like their employer-based insurance, which a lot of unions broke their neck to get, a lot of people like theirs, they shouldn't have to give it up," Biden said. "If you don't go my way and you go their way you have to give up all that. What's gonna happen when you have 300 million people landing on a healthcare plan. How long is that going to take? What's it going to do?"
On the topic of immigration, Biden said he doesn't agree with calls to decriminalize entering the U.S. without documentation, a proposal put forth by Julian Castro and backed by Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.).
"No, I don't," Biden said when asked if he supports the proposal. "I think people should have to get in line, but if people are coming because they're actually seeking asylum, they should have a chance to make their case."
The former vice president also downplayed Ocasio-Cortez's victory over Rep. Joe Crowley last year and suggested her ideas don't have broad appeal.
"I think Ocasio-Cortez is a brilliant, bright woman, but she won a primary," Biden said. "In the general election fights, who won? Mainstream Democrats who are very progressive on social issues and very strong on education and healthcare."
Biden's comments on Ocasio-Cortez sparked immediate backlash:
"As I've said many times," tweeted Intercept columnist Shaun King, "every time Joe Biden opens his mouth he gets himself in trouble. It's why this is the first interview he's done in months."
We've had enough. The 1% own and operate the corporate media. They are doing everything they can to defend the status quo, squash dissent and protect the wealthy and the powerful. The Common Dreams media model is different. We cover the news that matters to the 99%. Our mission? To inform. To inspire. To ignite change for the common good. How? Nonprofit. Independent. Reader-supported. Free to read. Free to republish. Free to share. With no advertising. No paywalls. No selling of your data. Thousands of small donations fund our newsroom and allow us to continue publishing. Can you chip in? We can't do it without you. Thank you.
To inform. To inspire. To ignite change for the common good.
News & Opinion
Trending
Common Dreams, Inc. Founded 1997. Registered 501(c3) Non-Profit
Privacy Policy