Dear MoveOn member,
Yes, these are extremely difficult and painful times. People are
demoralized.
The presidential debate a week ago Thursday was a disaster. Trump lied,
lied, and lied. Biden did not successfully defend his record or expose
Trump for the fraud that he is. Further, he did not bring forth a strong
agenda for his second term.
Trump told us that "everybody" wanted to overturn Roe v. Wade. Lie! More
than 60% of the American people disagreed with that horrific Supreme Court
decision.
Trump told us that illegal immigrants are destroying Social Security
because of the benefits they receive. Lie! Illegal immigrants do not
receive Social Security benefits. In fact, they put some $10 billion a
year into the program that they do not benefit from.
Trump ignored the question on climate change. Maybe it's because he has
the unique and insane view that climate change is a "hoax" created in
China.
Trump refused to answer the question about whether he would accept the
election results if he lost. Maybe that's because he won't, and because he
doesn't believe in democracy. In the last election, he told the world that
the only way he could lose that election was if there was fraud—to be
determined by him. His views haven't changed.
Friends, I do not possess a crystal ball, and I have no brilliant
political insights as to what the campaign might look like over the next
few days or weeks.
But this I do know: Democrats will not win this election, for the White
House or Congress, unless they focus on the very real and pressing
concerns facing working families. Yes, the president has established and
should defend a good record during his first term. But much, much more
needs to be done to address the economic, social, and environmental crises
facing the working class. That agenda must be articulated NOW. The policy
contrasts with the Republicans must be made clear.
Republicans are proud to have overturned Roe v. Wade. We must pass
legislation that codifies Roe v. Wade and guarantees women the right to
control their own bodies.
Republicans think climate change is a hoax. We must create millions of
good jobs transforming our energy system away from fossil fuel.
Republicans want to cut Social Security. We must strengthen and expand
Social Security by lifting the cap on taxable income.
Republicans want to cut Medicare. We must expand Medicare to cover dental,
hearing, and vision.
Republicans want to give tax breaks to billionaires. At a time of massive
income and wealth inequality, we must make the wealthy finally pay their
fair share.
Republicans oppose raising the minimum wage to a living wage. We must
raise the minimum wage to a living wage—at least $17 an hour.
Republicans ignore the crisis in low-income and affordable housing. We
want to end homelessness and build millions of units of affordable
housing.
Republicans want to make it harder for workers to join unions. We must
grow the trade union movement, end illegal anti-union actions, and pass
the PRO Act.
Republicans want to spend even more money on the military-industrial
complex, as though $1 trillion were not enough. We must stop defense
companies from war profiteering and, like every other agency of
government, run the military more efficiently and cost-effectively.
Yes, I, and I suspect many of you, have had significant disagreements with
the Biden administration. But I do know that time and time again he has
been willing to support and sign progressive legislation ... but only if
we were able to get it to his desk.
So our job this November is clear: First, we must defeat Donald Trump, the
worst president in modern American history.
But we must also elect as many progressives to Congress as we possibly can
so that we can get legislation to the president's desk that will improve
the lives of working people.
That is what I intend to focus on between now and November, and I hope you
will join me in that fight. During the past few weeks, we've had great
meetings in Ohio and Wisconsin. And that's just the beginning.
If you are inclined, please consider splitting a donation today between my
campaign and my friends at MoveOn. We will put your donation to work
making sure we have a Democratic president and a Congress that will send
progressive legislation to the White House.
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In solidarity,
Bernie Sanders
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