This week we launch our first episode in our “Big Tent Energy” series where we talk about the 2020 U.S. Presidential election with our usual vim and vigor. In this episode, we take a deep look at Bernie Sanders’ policies, focusing mainly on his universal programs and how they will help minoritized communities.

In This Episode

JOKE

For someone who hates socialism, Bloomberg sure does…

Main Topic: Bernie Sanders’ Universal Programs Leave No One Behind

This week we take a deep dive on Bernie Sanders’ policies and why we support him as the Democratic presidential candidate. We touch on why we don’t support other candidates, but there’s a lot of room there for future episodes if y’all want to hear more, just let us know! In this episode, we hone in on Bernie’s universal programs as well as universal programs in general and why they work. We talk a lot about how these policies will help dismantle systemic oppression and improve material conditions for trans people, black folks, the elderly, people experiencing homelessness and the financially insecure (and for many of whom these identities overlap).

We also take a look at the recent decision by the Culinary Union leadership to not back a presidential candidate, citing their concerns over their members losing their “gold standard” health insurance if Medicare for All passes.

We end with a discussion about billionaires and the concept of redistribution of wealth or “eating the rich,” haha, and why we feel everyone should become comfortable with the top .1% having some of their wealth taken away and given back to the rest of us. As the Sanders campaign asks, we ask:

If you have healthcare, will you fight for those who don’t?

If you are native born, will you fight for those who are undocumented?

If you can afford a college education, will you fight for those who can’t?

Will you fight for someone you don’t know?

RESOURCES

* Bernie Sanders on the Issues (BernieSanders.com)

* How Medicare for All Could Improve—and Save—the Lives of Transgender People (In These Times)

* Childhood Disrupted (Amazon)

* Huge Racial Disparities Found in Deaths Linked to Pregnancy (NY Times)

* Sanders, Buttigieg request targeted recount in Iowa (Politico)

* 2017 Survey of Physician Appointment Wait Times (Merritt Hawkins)

* Reporting on Bernie Sanders’ “Medicare for All” is deeply flawed: Media forgets how math works (Salon)

* Why Bernie Sanders Is the Strongest Candidate for Transgender People (Jacobin)

* Bernie Sanders Was For Transgender Rights Before It Was A Thing (Daily Motion)

* Transgender Individuals Deserve Dignity (Senate.gov)

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