Story/Videos: BERNIE SANDERS ROCKS THE HOUSE! 500 Plus Crowd at Arlington, VA Event

Last edited Sat Jul 11, 2015, 02:39 PM - Edit history (3)

See Video Highlights of the Bernie event posted after I returned, in the current OP by Omaha Steve in LBN-the Latest Breaking News section and titled, "BERNIE GETS A BOISTEROUS WELCOME IN ARLINGTON", Washington Post, July 9, 2015. LINK :http://www.democraticunderground.com/10141141925#post14.

Bernie roused the Full House capacity of 500 plus attendees for the 2-hour Public Policy Forum in Arlington, VA, entitled 'Rebooting Our Policy Agenda to Reclaim the American Dream'. Democratic Congressman Don Beyer, (VA-8th) was also a top guest speaker like Sen. Sanders from the CPC, the Congressional Progressive Caucus.
Although not a political campaign rally, I was one of many Bernie supporters there who cheered when Sanders brought up this fact a few times. He took the noisy crowd responses with his usual aplomb. In two months of campaigning after announcing his 2016 candidacy for president, the progressive Senator from Vermont who is a well known populist fighter for the people is attracting large crowds of followers, national attention and rising poll numbers.

Excited Crowd Chants 'BERNIE, BERNIE, BERNIE!' before Sen. Sanders enters the room at Arlington Event

For the best source of what Sanders and Beyer covered in speeches and discussions, watch the excellent video coverage highlights in the Daily Kos article, "VIDEO- PACKED HOUSE IN ARLINGTON, VA FOR BERNIE SANDERS AND DON BEYER PUBLIC POLICY FORUM", by lowkell, July 9, cross-posted from Blue Virginia. Link to:
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/07/10/1400944/-Video-Packed-House-in-Arlington-for-Bernie-Sanders-Don-Beyer-Public-Policy-Forum
Some of the many national issues facing regular Americans on the agenda that Sen. Sanders emphasized were :raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour, A LIVING WAGE, as some US cities have done recently, and protect it from Republicans who want to abolish it; insure pay equity for women who now receive 78 cents on the dollar: guarantee paid sick, vacation and maternity leave for all workers; support REFINANCE OF CRUSHING STUDENT LOAN DEBT to lower interest rates like home owners and car purchasers are able to do.

He called for us to address widespread American POVERTY, the highest of any industrialized nation, where children go hungry from cuts to nutrition programs and seniors and others struggle to live on $12-13,000 a year; to support strong public education for young children of all backgrounds especially the poor; to fight tragic high levels of YOUTH UNEMPLOYMENT among whites, Hispanics and African Americans, particularly age 17-20 who should have the higher educational opportunities to develop intellectual abilities to become nurses, scientists, doctors, researchers and fulfilled employees in every field.
This is the path to a strong MIDDLE CLASS, away from the social and economic desperation and insecurity that are evident in so many American communities over the last 20-30 years. Sanders emphasized how the US needs to INVEST IN YOUNG PEOPLE like other advanced countries do, and we once did. We must create the best educated workforce in America to compete and lead in the 21st century.

When Sanders said, "You want a progressive idea? We must fight to make America's public colleges and universities TUITION FREE!" the applause in the room lasted several minutes. The US had virtual tuition free college, and no student undergraduate debt to speak of for decades until Reagan in the 1980s. Most European countries have little tuition costs only housing and fees, and Germany just abolished tuition completely last year. Support the young through education and jobs, and stop building PRISONS! he exclaimed.
Confront and reform the US prison industry with 2 million incarcerated, more than jailed in the vast population of communist China. Protect and expand SOCIAL SAFETY NET programs for those in need, the young, old, the disabled including Veterans and the vulnerable who deserve to live in dignity; push our leaders to fix unsafe, deteriorating US infrastructure; reform our trade policies and revisit tariffs like we once had; control excess military expenditures and involvement.

Endeavor to remove money from politics, to overturn CITIZENS UNITED (CU) and work for campaign finance reform and publically funded elections. Stop rising income inequality and the growth of the powerful wealthy elite oligarchy that funds elections in the millions and the extremist Republican agenda to virtually end Social Security and other safety net programs. A longtime supporter of single payer, he wants health coverage expanded to the 27 million Americans who are shut out in states that don't accept the Medicare provision and to many people who are underinsured. We must prevent the continued deregulation of industry, finance, the media and the privatization for profit of government institutions, agencies, programs, services and lands.

To rebuild the economy the wealthy and corporations must pay their fair share of taxes, like regular Americans, and end offshoring money to the Caribbean and other tax havens. After the 2008 FINANCIAL CRISIS the banks received bail outs and Americans lost wealth permanently from home foreclosures, job losses and depleted retirement funds invested in the stock market. Sanders strongly advocates for imposing a small tax on financial stock transactions-speculation to help this nation recover in return which is not too much to ask in working to restore this great country as Sanders often refers to it.

Sanders spoke of Jeb Bush's recent call for Americans to work even longer hours, and todays news that Jeb's Campaign PAC (Political Action Committee) has raised $100 million. Most of us well know of the Koch brothers who plan to spend $900 million in the 2016 national and state elections he stated. And when Sanders said "THIS IS NOT DEMOCRACY, THIS IS OLIGARCHY" there wasn't a deaf ear in the house.

On the campaign, Sanders said he intends to travel to areas to try to tell people not to vote for those who represent the wealthy and corporations against their own interest. On VOTING, when he emphasized that progressive grassroots movements are critical in influencing change but in the US only 63% of the population votes, the need to combat increased voter suppression became even more evident.
Finally, Sanders spoke forcefully about how the US must cooperatively interact with international entities to address the dangerous issue of global CLIMATE CHANGE, now, and to continue to develop new technologies and solutions for a healthier planet and future.



The public policy forum was held in Arlington at the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) building where some people arrived an hour and a half early to make sure they would get a seat. As I saw, the interested, eager audience was comprised of people of every background and age-students, workers, parents and the retired; the young, middle aged and seniors; white, black, Asian, Hispanic and Indian. One young man who said he was of Greek heritage wanted to ask the speakers their positions on the current economic situation in Greece and Europe.

Sanders is the son of an immigrant and has long encouraged immigrant rights, advocated Civil Rights for blacks, rights for women, the disabled, poor, Veterans, LGBT people and other groups who face obstacles and discrimination. Recently Sanders is appealing to more Latino followers from his support for the DREAMERS, undocumented workers, the path to citizenship and other positions. His efforts to improve conditions for all workers are strong including raising the national minimum wage to $15, A LIVING WAGE - not $10.10 that's in the Senate he said. And unlike the GOP's idea of 'family values' he wants all workers to have guaranteed paid sick, vacation and maternity leave, which exists in most other advanced countries so people have more time with their families and new mothers with their infants.

AMERICANS WORK MORE HOURS than the Japanese, British and French. Currently 85% of men and 65% of women in the US work more than 40 hours a week, an astounding reality in American society now.
These issues are REAL FAMILY VALUES in his view. Sanders also is pushing for firmer labor laws which the WH is addressing now for millions of Americans who work 50-60 hours a week and yet are not paid for overtime. The right of women to have control over their bodies and to choose the contraception they want is also a longtime platform position.

I was fortunate to be able to attend this valuable free event. Sanders speech, so powerful, impassioned and populist in tone was unforgettable, as well as the command of his presence in a room that will stay with me for a long time. Like others who believe in Sanders message, I think during these times he can inspire and lead us to act together in advancing toward a better future for the country. And without a doubt, he has earned the respect of many for his 40 year career, his dedication as a real man of the people and his character as a statesman in every sense of the word.

This public policy forum on progressive, populist approaches to rebuild this country was first rate and Sanders contribution to the event was immeasurable. The people's enthusiasm and Sanders impassioned stemwinder speech of a half an hour or more had the audience fired up, sometimes on their feet cheering him on and added plenty of life to the occasion. After speeches by the two representatives, the 45 minute question and answer session allowed audience members to express views, concerns and to ask the two guest speakers about issues impacting their lives, a nice Town Hall style effort by organizers.

As many realize, the heart of Sen. Sanders' vision is the call for Americans to build strong progressive grassroots movements to move the country forward. This is the way to effectively rebuild and advance a leading society that we once were and to maintain our democratic institutions and way of life. And as he often reminds us, this is the most powerful, wealthy country in the world and the resources are vast.
During the evening, several times Sanders stressed very firmly his belief in us, in this great country of America, and how 'WE MUST THINK BIG', that we've done it before when we created the greatest country and middle class in the world. And we can do it again he said, "WE CAN DO IT!" And I know he's right, We Can Do This! Si se puede!





~ "WE CAN DO IT!" CLOSING THOUGHTS by Sen. Bernie Sanders, Arlington, VA Policy Forum, July 9, 2015



Read more and watch videos in the OP in LBN- Latest Breaking News Section:
Washington Post, "Bernie Sanders Gets a Boisterous Welcome in Arlington", by John Wagner, July 9, 2015.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10141141925#post14