Democratic Socialism and Foreign Policy | Bernie Sanders

Bernie Sanders delivers his long-awaited speech on Democratic Socialism at Georgetown University. He also speaks about his vision for bringing American foreign policy into the 21st century.

---------

★ Connect with Bernie:

★ About Bernie:
Bernie Sanders is a Democratic candidate for President of the United States. He is serving his second term in the U.S. Senate after winning re-election in 2012 with 71 percent of the vote. Sanders previously served as mayor of Vermont’s largest city for eight years before defeating an incumbent Republican to be the sole congressperson for the state in the U.S. House of Representatives. He lives in Burlington, Vermont with his wife Jane and has four children and seven grandchildren.

Bernard “Bernie” Sanders was born in Brooklyn, New York, to immigrant parents and grew up in a small, rent-controlled apartment. His father came to the United States from Poland at the age of 17 without much money or a formal education. While attending the University of Chicago, a 20-year-old Sanders led students in a multi-week sit-in to oppose segregation in off-campus housing owned by the university as a Congress of Racial Equality (CORE) officer. In August of 1963, Sanders took an overnight bus as an organizer for the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee to hear Martin Luther King Jr.’s historic “I Have a Dream” speech firsthand at the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom.

After graduation, Bernie moved to Vermont where he worked as a carpenter and documentary filmmaker. In 1981, he was elected as mayor of Burlington as an Independent by a mere 10 votes, shocking the city’s political establishment by defeating a six-term, local machine mayor. In 1983, Bernie was re-elected by a 21 point margin with a record amount of voter turnout. Under his administration, the city made major strides in affordable housing, progressive taxation, environmental protection, child care, women’s rights, youth programs and the arts. In 1990, Sanders was elected to the House of Representatives as the first Independent in 40 years and joined the Democratic caucus. He was re-elected for eight terms, during which he voted against the deregulation of Wall Street, the Patriot Act, and the invasion of Iraq.

In 2006, Sanders defeated the richest man in Vermont to win a seat in the U.S. Senate as an Independent. Known as a “practical and successful legislator,” Sanders served as chairman of the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs where he authored and passed the most significant veteran health care reform bill in recent history. While in the Senate, Sanders has fought tirelessly for working class Americans against the influence of big money in politics. In 2010, he gave an eight-and-a-half hour filibuster-like speech on the Senate floor in opposition to extending Bush-era tax breaks for the wealthy. In 2015, the Democratic leadership tapped Bernie to serve as the caucus’ ranking member of the Senate Budget Committee.

Known for his consistency on the issues, Senator Sanders has supported the working class, women, communities of color, and the LGBT community throughout his career. He is an advocate for the environment, unions, and immigrants. He voted against Keystone XL, opposes the Trans-Pacific Partnership deal, wants to expand the Voting Rights Act, and pass the Equal Rights Amendment.

[BeornBorg]

I wish this speech had been nationally broadcast.

[AlessandroVene]

“I will never hesitate to defend this nation, but I will never send our sons and daughters to a war under false pretense.” Should be carved in stone on the White House wall

[randys]

One of the most important videos of the Sanders campaign. Share it everywhere!

[moman]

A speech that will go down in history. I hope they are hearing this in Iowa!

[tylerpeterson]

Another strong speech Bernie! My favorite part was the reference to Roosevelt..."Everything Roosevelt did was considered socialist."  - Really hit home the point that all these government programs we love today: SS, concept of minimum wage, banking protections, and child labor laws, were all considered a "radical intervention in the marketplace" but today these programs are the fabric of our great nation.

[kjellvb]

Well said and excellent speech! To here such logic and true empathy from a politician is amazing!

[Liliann]

Bernie no matter what happens just know that you are an amazingly inspirational person. You aren't just what America needs.... you are what the world needs. More of people like you who stand for the majority, not the 1% rich elite who buy out candidates. Your exceptional character and brave voice is a beacon of hope

[Imperius]

America NEEDS Bernie Sanders. #feelthebern2016 #feelthebern #inittowinit

[catfishcave]

This sounded like an inaugural speech - when he gets elected, how will he top this? He writes all his own speeches by the way.

[DieHumanless]

Historic speech. This will be noted in the annals of history.

[Ghoste]

Thank you for everything you fight for, Bernie. Truly, you are the president our nation deserves.

[vladimircruz]

amazing!! this guy doesn't need to do this, but yet he cares so much about our nation that is risking his life by proposing his ideas! :)

[craigiowa]

What a beautiful speech. Senator Sanders espouses the values of caring, compassionate, and forward-looking Americans unlike any other political leader in a long time.

[brucebeauchamp]

As an Australian citizen, I was surprised to hear (in this speech) that the US does not have almost any of the social benefits that we have had in Australia for at least 40 years. Social protection of all Australian citizens include - universal medical care, minimum wage (I think around $16), discrimination law against gender & race, 4-5 weeks paid annual leave, 12-months Maternity leave, and others.
On the down-side, we still cannot face our terrible record of uniting with our aboriginals (first nation people) and our senior politicians still align with US and we constantly send our people to join US wars overseas.

[radicalwarlock]

Bernie 2016! Our democracy is not for sale.

[mikepeezy]

Bernie represents a lot of things, but above all he represents hope.

[meiammyself]

What an incredible speech and a brilliant man.
Very inspirational.
I so wish that he becomes President.

[rolandschneider]

He's absolutely right about his take on health care. I'm from austria and to us health care is hardly an issue at all. Sure you can buy yourself better options but generally speaking, you will be taken care of and it's not gonna harm your pocket. You pay for it over time by your taxes and it works pretty well. It's solidarity and it makes living a lot less stressful. Try it sometime!

[CammiMiller]

Bernie, look into how Iceland handled the banksters and the economic crisis. :)

[CammiMiller]

Please don't get on any small planes Bernie, we need more of your kind not less.