Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) debates Senator Lindsey Graham at the Edward M. Kennedy Institute on June 13, 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo: Matt Stone/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald via Getty Images)
Jun 14, 2022
In an Oxford-style debate Monday with Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham, Sen. Bernie Sanders argued that progressive policy goals such as Medicare for All, Social Security expansion, and a higher minimum wage are "what the American people want" and blasted the political establishment--including his GOP colleague--for ignoring the most important crises facing the United States, from the climate emergency to obscene levels of economic inequality.
"If we don't stand up and say that we need a government that represents working people and the middle class, I worry very much about the future of this country."
"That's what the establishment does, and Lindsey is a very good and effective representation of the establishment," Sanders said after Graham delivered his opening remarks of the debate, which was held at the Edward M. Kennedy Institute in Boston and streamed live by Fox Nation. "Does Lindsey have a concern that we are the only major country on Earth not to guarantee healthcare to all people? That some 60,000 people a year die because they don't get to a doctor on time? I didn't hear much about that in that opening statement."
"Does Lindsey care that we have the highest prices in the world for prescription drugs, and that the pharmaceutical industry right now has 1,500 paid lobbyists in Washington, D.C. to make sure that in some cases we pay 10 times more for the medicine that we need?" Sanders asked. "Did Lindsey talk about the fact that we have, in South Carolina and all over this country, tens of millions of workers working for starvation wages? Did he talk about a corrupt political system in which billionaires today can start a super PAC--and I guess you have some familiarity with super PACs, they help fund your campaign--who can spend unlimited amounts of money to elect candidates."
"I didn't hear Lindsey talk about the crisis of climate change," the Vermont senator continued. "Do you have a concern that two people own more wealth than the bottom 42%? ... Bottom line is: we are moving toward oligarchy. And if we don't stand up and say that we need a government that represents working people and the middle class, I worry very much about the future of this country."
Watch:
None— Benny (Alpha Male) (@Benny (Alpha Male)) 1655146517
Sanders, who has appeared on Fox News several times in recent years to counter right-wing narratives and make the case for a progressive agenda, did so again during Monday's event, forcefully dismissing Graham's attempt to cast basic and popular policy objectives as "full-on socialism" and detached from public sentiment.
"The policies that I advocate are taking place all over the world," countered Sanders, who identifies as a democratic socialist. "I would like to ask Senator Graham: Do you think raising the minimum wage to $15 an hour is socialistic? Do you think doing what every other major country on Earth does--guaranteeing healthcare to all people--is socialistic? Do you think expanding Medicare to cover dental care is quite socialistic?"
"I think we should increase benefits for Social Security recipients by lifting the cap... is that socialistic?" he continued. "Is making sure that all of our kids are able to get a higher education, is that socialistic? Is saying that three Wall Street companies should not control $20 trillion in assets, and we gotta break them up, is that socialistic?... Take a look at the issues we are fighting for: on every one of those issues, Lindsey, guess what, the American people support me, not you."
Join Us: News for people demanding a better world
Common Dreams is powered by optimists who believe in the power of informed and engaged citizens to ignite and enact change to make the world a better place. We're hundreds of thousands strong, but every single supporter makes the difference. Your contribution supports this bold media model—free, independent, and dedicated to reporting the facts every day. Stand with us in the fight for economic equality, social justice, human rights, and a more sustainable future. As a people-powered nonprofit news outlet, we cover the issues the corporate media never will. Join with us today! |
Our work is licensed under Creative Commons (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0). Feel free to republish and share widely.
In an Oxford-style debate Monday with Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham, Sen. Bernie Sanders argued that progressive policy goals such as Medicare for All, Social Security expansion, and a higher minimum wage are "what the American people want" and blasted the political establishment--including his GOP colleague--for ignoring the most important crises facing the United States, from the climate emergency to obscene levels of economic inequality.
"If we don't stand up and say that we need a government that represents working people and the middle class, I worry very much about the future of this country."
"That's what the establishment does, and Lindsey is a very good and effective representation of the establishment," Sanders said after Graham delivered his opening remarks of the debate, which was held at the Edward M. Kennedy Institute in Boston and streamed live by Fox Nation. "Does Lindsey have a concern that we are the only major country on Earth not to guarantee healthcare to all people? That some 60,000 people a year die because they don't get to a doctor on time? I didn't hear much about that in that opening statement."
"Does Lindsey care that we have the highest prices in the world for prescription drugs, and that the pharmaceutical industry right now has 1,500 paid lobbyists in Washington, D.C. to make sure that in some cases we pay 10 times more for the medicine that we need?" Sanders asked. "Did Lindsey talk about the fact that we have, in South Carolina and all over this country, tens of millions of workers working for starvation wages? Did he talk about a corrupt political system in which billionaires today can start a super PAC--and I guess you have some familiarity with super PACs, they help fund your campaign--who can spend unlimited amounts of money to elect candidates."
"I didn't hear Lindsey talk about the crisis of climate change," the Vermont senator continued. "Do you have a concern that two people own more wealth than the bottom 42%? ... Bottom line is: we are moving toward oligarchy. And if we don't stand up and say that we need a government that represents working people and the middle class, I worry very much about the future of this country."
Watch:
None— Benny (Alpha Male) (@Benny (Alpha Male)) 1655146517
Sanders, who has appeared on Fox News several times in recent years to counter right-wing narratives and make the case for a progressive agenda, did so again during Monday's event, forcefully dismissing Graham's attempt to cast basic and popular policy objectives as "full-on socialism" and detached from public sentiment.
"The policies that I advocate are taking place all over the world," countered Sanders, who identifies as a democratic socialist. "I would like to ask Senator Graham: Do you think raising the minimum wage to $15 an hour is socialistic? Do you think doing what every other major country on Earth does--guaranteeing healthcare to all people--is socialistic? Do you think expanding Medicare to cover dental care is quite socialistic?"
"I think we should increase benefits for Social Security recipients by lifting the cap... is that socialistic?" he continued. "Is making sure that all of our kids are able to get a higher education, is that socialistic? Is saying that three Wall Street companies should not control $20 trillion in assets, and we gotta break them up, is that socialistic?... Take a look at the issues we are fighting for: on every one of those issues, Lindsey, guess what, the American people support me, not you."
From Your Site Articles
In an Oxford-style debate Monday with Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham, Sen. Bernie Sanders argued that progressive policy goals such as Medicare for All, Social Security expansion, and a higher minimum wage are "what the American people want" and blasted the political establishment--including his GOP colleague--for ignoring the most important crises facing the United States, from the climate emergency to obscene levels of economic inequality.
"If we don't stand up and say that we need a government that represents working people and the middle class, I worry very much about the future of this country."
"That's what the establishment does, and Lindsey is a very good and effective representation of the establishment," Sanders said after Graham delivered his opening remarks of the debate, which was held at the Edward M. Kennedy Institute in Boston and streamed live by Fox Nation. "Does Lindsey have a concern that we are the only major country on Earth not to guarantee healthcare to all people? That some 60,000 people a year die because they don't get to a doctor on time? I didn't hear much about that in that opening statement."
"Does Lindsey care that we have the highest prices in the world for prescription drugs, and that the pharmaceutical industry right now has 1,500 paid lobbyists in Washington, D.C. to make sure that in some cases we pay 10 times more for the medicine that we need?" Sanders asked. "Did Lindsey talk about the fact that we have, in South Carolina and all over this country, tens of millions of workers working for starvation wages? Did he talk about a corrupt political system in which billionaires today can start a super PAC--and I guess you have some familiarity with super PACs, they help fund your campaign--who can spend unlimited amounts of money to elect candidates."
"I didn't hear Lindsey talk about the crisis of climate change," the Vermont senator continued. "Do you have a concern that two people own more wealth than the bottom 42%? ... Bottom line is: we are moving toward oligarchy. And if we don't stand up and say that we need a government that represents working people and the middle class, I worry very much about the future of this country."
Watch:
None— Benny (Alpha Male) (@Benny (Alpha Male)) 1655146517
Sanders, who has appeared on Fox News several times in recent years to counter right-wing narratives and make the case for a progressive agenda, did so again during Monday's event, forcefully dismissing Graham's attempt to cast basic and popular policy objectives as "full-on socialism" and detached from public sentiment.
"The policies that I advocate are taking place all over the world," countered Sanders, who identifies as a democratic socialist. "I would like to ask Senator Graham: Do you think raising the minimum wage to $15 an hour is socialistic? Do you think doing what every other major country on Earth does--guaranteeing healthcare to all people--is socialistic? Do you think expanding Medicare to cover dental care is quite socialistic?"
"I think we should increase benefits for Social Security recipients by lifting the cap... is that socialistic?" he continued. "Is making sure that all of our kids are able to get a higher education, is that socialistic? Is saying that three Wall Street companies should not control $20 trillion in assets, and we gotta break them up, is that socialistic?... Take a look at the issues we are fighting for: on every one of those issues, Lindsey, guess what, the American people support me, not you."
From Your Site Articles
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.