The Daily Show host Jon Stewart and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) noted their concerns regarding the Democratic Party’s struggle to present a unified strategy against President Donald Trump. They cited the party’s handling of economic inequality and its perceived failure to rebuild voter trust. Both emphasized that Democrats need a clearer message and stronger connection with working-class Americans.
Sanders said, “We have to have a vision for the future of this country. And I think that many of my colleagues in the Democratic Party have not had that vision.” Stewart argued that subsidies in healthcare and education often raise costs and urged Democrats to rethink such policies. Sanders, meanwhile, countered that universal programs are the best way to ensure access to essential services.
Stewart stated, “What happens is, when the government promises endless funds to insurance companies or private universities without any cost controls — and Trump seems to understand this — prices rise far beyond the rate of inflation.” Stewart added, “And we have seen it in tuition, we have seen it in pharmaceutical, and we have seen it in health care. So my question is, will Democrats recognize the poison pill that they have often placed into well-intentioned policy?”
Sanders claimed both parties’ dependence on billionaire donors has alienated working- and middle-class Americans.
Sanders said, “Listen, we have to make it simple. In the wealthiest country in the history of the world, should health care be a human right? Yes, it should be. Should we have the best quality education in the world, from childcare to graduate school? Yes, we should.” Sanders added, “You know, what we need is a very simple, straightforward agenda, which says — by the way, this is really the sticking point — you’ve got to finally say to the oligarchs, who have never ever had it so good, they are making hand over fist, all right, you got to say to them, ‘Sorry, guys, a billion dollars is enough. You ain’t going to have $200 billion or $300 billion. Try to survive on a mere billion. You will start paying your fair share of taxes!’”
Sanders stated, “What that means is that we should not accept the fact that we have so much income and wealth inequality.” He concluded, “That you’ve got one guy, Mr. (Elon) Musk, owning more wealth than the bottom 52 percent of the people, that we have a corrupt campaign finance system that allows billionaires in both parties to determine who wins and who loses elections.”
David Wilson covers U.S. politics & news for content partner Modern Newsstand LLC.
