Bernie Sanders in 5th Democratic Primary Debate


On Abortion: Get the government off the backs of women on abortion

If there's ever a time in American history where the men of this country must stand with the women, this is the moment. I get very tired of hearing the hypocrisy from conservatives who say get the government off our backs, we want small government. Well, if you want to get the government out of the backs of the American people, then understand that it is women who control their own bodies, not politicians.
Source: November Democratic primary debate in Atlanta Nov 20, 2019

On Government Reform: Enforce simple rule: every over 18 has the right to vote

People understand that the political system is corrupt. It is not just voter suppression, which cost the Democratic Party a governorship in this state, not just denying people of color the right to vote, we also have a system through Citizens United which allows billionaires to buy elections. What we need to do, simple and straightforward, in every state in this country through the federal government, if you are 18, you have a right to vote,. We need to move toward public funding of elections.
Source: November Democratic primary debate in Atlanta Nov 20, 2019

On Health Care: Current system is not only cruel, it's dysfunctional

Q: Former President Obama said that the country is "less revolutionary than it is interested in improvement. The average American doesn't think we have to completely tear down the system and remake it." Your comments?

SANDERS: Obama is right. We don't have to tear down the system, but people understand the system is not only cruel, it is dysfunctional. How do we have a system in which we spend twice as much as the people of any other country, and yet we've got 87 million uninsured. Five hundred thousand people go bankrupt because of medically related issues. They get cancer, and that's a reason to go bankrupt? We will introduce Medicare for all means no deductibles, no co-payments, no out-of-pocket expenses.

Source: November Democratic primary debate in Atlanta Nov 20, 2019

On Immigration: I'll stand with 11M undocumented immigrants in this country

I am the son of an immigrant, young man of 17 who came to this country without a nickel. I have some sense of the immigrant experience. I will stand with the 11 million undocumented immigrants in this country. I have been committed to the fight against all forms of discrimination -- racial discrimination, sexism, homophobia, xenophobia, and religious bigotry. I will lead an administration that will look like America, will end the divisiveness brought by Trump, and bring us together.
Source: November Democratic primary debate in Atlanta Nov 20, 2019

On Principles & Values: Trump think he is above the law, but nobody is

Q: Chants of "Lock Her Up" are still heard at President Trump's rallies today [referring to Hillary Clinton in 2016]. Now some opponents of the president are turning the same slogan against him. They've chanted "Lock Him Up" at two of your campaign events recently. Should Democrats discourage this? Or are you OK with it?

SANDERS: Well, I think the people of this country are catching on to the degree that this president thinks he is above the law. And what the American people are saying: Nobody is above the law. And I think what the American people are also saying is, in fact, that if this president did break the law, he should be prosecuted like any other individual who breaks the law. But at the end of the day, what we need to do is to bring our people together not just in opposition to Trump. The initial question that somebody raised here was that we are a divided nation. You know what? I kind of reject that.

Source: November Democratic primary debate, on impeaching Trump Nov 20, 2019

On War & Peace: Rethink War on Terror and make deal with Taliban

Q: Would you cut a deal with the Taliban to end the war, even if it means the collapse of the Afghan government?

SANDERS: After spending trillions of dollars on these endless wars, which have resulted in dislocation and mass migrations and pain in that region, it is time to bring our troops home. Unlike Trump, I will not do it through a tweet at 3 o'clock in the morning. I will do it working with the international community. If it's necessary to negotiate with the Taliban, we will do that.

Q: What about other military spending?

SANDERS: One of the big differences between the vice president and myself is he supported the terrible war in Iraq and I helped lead the opposition against it. And not only that, I voted against the very first Gulf War, as well I think we need a foreign policy which understands who our enemies are, that we don't have to spend more money on the military than the next 10 nations combined.

Source: November Democratic primary debate in Atlanta Nov 20, 2019

On Welfare & Poverty: Deal with 500,000 people sleeping on streets, AND Trump

Q: Americans are watching these impeachment hearings. At the same time, they're also focused on their more immediate, daily economic and family concerns.

SANDERS: Sadly, we have a president who is not only a pathological liar, he is likely the most corrupt president in the modern history of America. But we cannot simply be consumed by Donald Trump, because if we are, we're going to lose the election. Right now, you've got 87 million people who have no health insurance or are underinsured. You've got 500,000 people sleeping out on the street and you've got 18 million people paying half of their limited incomes for housing. What the American people understand is that the Congress can walk and chew bubblegum at the same time. In other words, we can deal with Trump's corruption, but we also have to stand up for the working families of this country. We also have to stand up to the fact that our political system is corrupt, dominated by a handful of billionaires, and that our economy is rigged.

Source: November Democratic primary debate, on impeaching Trump Nov 20, 2019

The above quotations are from Democratic Primary Debate: November 20th in Atlanta, hosted by MSNBC.
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Page last updated: Dec 23, 2019