If nothing else, Bernie Sanders, Vermont Senator and democratic presidential candidate, has started a new conversation in America, one which was largely shunned previously. America is now talking about democratic socialism; what it is, isn’t and how it might offer an alternative to the capitalism, which is clearly not working, for the majority of people nor the environment.
Most base their ideas and attitudes about socialism from the stigma it has gained over the course of American history, particularly since the cold war. When people think of socialism, they think of the Soviet Union, Cuba or Venezuela, none of which were or are truly socialist governments. The best examples are many of the northern European countries, like Sweden, Norway and Denmark; these countries have higher taxes than most purely capitalist countries, yet have high quality, universal health care and education, low crime rates and a far higher levels of happiness among their citizens.
In contrast, the U.S., the richest country on earth, has a troubled education system and is slipping in international measures of educational outcomes (PISA), a dysfunctional health care system in which 30 million people do not have health insurance, high levels of crime and gun use, the largest prison population in the world and is not only refusing to cooperate with the world in dealing with climate change but, thanks to Trump, is dismantling environmental laws and policies and increasing its greenhouse gasses which lead to climate change. Yet the U.S. is still called the leader of the free world? What kind of a world?
These problems are clearly linked to inequity; the control of what should be protected and preserved as our common resources by a greedy and fearful elite, at the expense of the majority of the population. The 26 richest people own as much as the poorest 50% of the world. Meanwhile, 25,00 people die of starvation each day, 9 million each year. Our common heritages of water, sky and soil are being poisoned by corporations, who very consciously and maliciously dump their wastes into our environment. Massive storms, fires and other extreme weather events are causing massive global devastation, creating millions of “climate refuges.” Hundreds of millions or people suffer oppression, discrimination and abuse due to ignorance and intolerance, largely based on propaganda from right-wing elites whose primary goal is to sow division among us. Like the Romans, they seek to “divide and conquer.”
Is all this inevitable?
As the IPCC, the United Nations organization dealing with climate change, made up of climate scientists from virtually every county in the world, issued a report in late 2019, stating that the world has twelve more years to deal with climate change by seriously lowering our greenhouse gas emissions and preventing the constant and terrifying increase in the global temperatures. And yet, at COP25, the annual U.N. global climate change conference, data revealed that emissions are increasing, as are temperatures. In spite of all the dire warnings, all the biggest contributors to climate change are moving in the opposite direction of what is needed.
Governments are not acting. They are acting like spoiled children, who refuse stop eating candy until they get sick and vomit all over the living room floor. Which is the reason that Greta Thumberg has become the champion of young climate activists around the world. She has called out world leaders, demanding they act like the adults they are supposed to be and get serous about reducing emissions. She even angrily scolded these government officials in her speech to the United Nations assembly. And her bravery has inspired millions of young global climate activists, who are now involved with countless forms of activism to demand that their governments start acting to stop climate change.
This is exactly what Bernie has done; young people in America are frustrated and disillusioned about this lack of action and the resulting global climate catastrophises. They see economic inequality and the fact that 48.8 million Americans, including 16.2 million children, suffer from hunger and malnutrition. They agonize about the 44 million people have no health insurance, and the 38 million with inadequate health insurance, meaning that tens of thousands of them die each year because they cannot afford to go their doctors. They are appalled by the racist, discrimination policies and practices of the right-wing elite, who marginalize and oppress women, people of color and LGBTQ folks.
Approximately sixty percent of Americans under 35 support Bernie, because of his ideas about how to solve these massive problems. He has forced Americans to investigate, dissect and analyse socialism, and consider how it might serve Americans far more equitably and effectively than capitalism What most young people, as well as many of us old-timers, have found, when digging under the media-fueled misconceptions about it, is that is based on the egalitarian ideas of Carl Marx, ideas that envision far greater dignity and equality than the “dog-eat-dog” system of capitalism. Shared ownership and decision making and economic and social equality, universal health child care, less crime due to greater social and economic oppression. Cleaner environment because environmental policies and laws are made by the majority instead of by a greedy and unscrupulous elite. Excuse me, but what is not to like here? Only the lies of those who wish to see us struggling and divided, so that we have no energy or means of resisting and opposing their sinister plans.
But the most significant part of Bernie’s movement is that it is the one of the largest truly grassroots presidential campaign in American history. He has inspired millions of Americans with his ideas about economic and social equity, environmental stewardship and benign foreign policies. All of the other candidates, yes, even Democratic ones, receive most of their finances from corporate sources; Bernie has refused all corporate donations and has the largest number of financial contributors in American history. The spark that was flared in his 2016 primary campaign has been fanned into a roaring fire under the butts of millions of American, making it virtually impossible for them to keep still and silent. Rather, they are actively speaking out about how his vision of America, and the world, is the one that they want, for themselves, their families and communities and the environment..
Though I agree with you, your passion has overcome your usually excellent grammar. 🙂 For the sake of clarity, I suggest that you re-read this one, Chaz, and correct the many grammatical errors in the English version. Then, Delete this friendly note. Ok. Cheers!
Howdy! I could have sworn I’ve been to this site before but after checking through some of the post I realized it’s new to me. Nonetheless, I’m definitely glad I found it and I’ll be book-marking and checking back frequently!
Can I just say what a aid to seek out someone who truly knows what theyre talking about on the internet. You definitely know methods to bring a difficulty to mild and make it important. More folks have to read this and perceive this facet of the story. I cant imagine youre no more well-liked because you positively have the gift.
Hi Dear, are you truly visiting this site regularly, if so afterward you will definitely get nice knowledge. Adaline Griffy Hebe
This post gives clear idea for the new visitors of blogging, that in fact how to do blogging. Wendie Bail Yim
Thanks Wendie!
There is noticeably a bunch to know about this. I feel you made some nice points in features also. Lonni Lorenzo Filmore
Great, thanks for sharing this blog. Really looking forward to read more. Much obliged. Audy Deck Law
I truly appreciate this blog article. Keep writing. Christabella Ignacio Kirit
Hi Penelopa! Thank you for your comment. I had the logo designed by an artist and then put it together with canva. Louisette Bartholemy Whitebook
Every once in a even though we opt for blogs that we study. Listed below would be the most current web sites that we opt for. Courtenay Armin Poppas
This article gets a thumbs way up from me.
Thank you ever so for you post. Much thanks again. Great. Jackquelin Dewain Tomkins
If some one wants to be updated with newest technologies afterward he must be pay a quick visit this site and be up to date every day. Mavis Hartwell Su
I in addition to my buddies were studying the great helpful tips found on the blog while then came up with an awful feeling I never thanked the web site owner for those tips. My guys became for this reason excited to see all of them and now have pretty much been tapping into these things. Many thanks for genuinely indeed thoughtful as well as for making a decision on this kind of helpful resources millions of individuals are really needing to be aware of. My personal honest regret for not expressing appreciation to earlier. Joline Bondie Dickinson
Inspiring story there. What happened after? Take care! Cherrita Elvin Minta
Great post! We are linking to this particularly great content on our site. Keep up the great writing. Barbie Ernst Anni
Someone essentially assist to make seriously posts I would state. That is the very first time I frequented your web page and up to now? I amazed with the research you made to create this particular post amazing. Wonderful task! Jyoti Ephrayim Bracci
I cannot thank you enough for the post. Really looking forward to read more. Cool. Marysa Boycey Erskine
I love looking through a post that can make men and women think. Also, thanks for allowing me to comment! Laryssa Carlyle Ewer
Having read this I thought it was really informative. I appreciate you taking the time and energy to put this content together. I once again find myself spending a lot of time both reading and commenting. But so what, it was still worthwhile! Guillemette Amby Booker
Ahaa, its pleasant conversation concerning this piece of writing at this place at this weblog, I have read all that, so at this time me also commenting here. Susanne Alexandr Hibbitts
magnificent points altogether, you just received a emblem new reader. Cherey Ole Pavlish
Great post. I will be facing some of these issues as well.. Nertie Ivan Baryram
Absolutely composed articles , regards for selective information . Hannis Dennison Olivette
Absolutely written written content, Really enjoyed looking at. Olympia Timmie Fineman
Wow, amazing blog layout! How long have you been blogging for? you made blogging look easy. The overall look of your web site is great, let alone the content! Alexis Cass Janot
Wow! This can be one particular of the most useful blogs We have ever arrive across on this subject. Actually Magnificent. I am also an expert in this topic therefore I can understand your effort. Gianna Stacy Geraldine
I would like to thnkx for the efforts you have put in writing this blog. I am hoping the same high-grade website post from you in the upcoming as well. Actually your creative writing abilities has inspired me to get my own website now. Really the blogging is spreading its wings quickly. Your write up is a great example of it. Kayley Abbey Jarid