81 years ago, Franklin D. Roosevelt delivered a speech in San Diego where he said, “The noblest motive is the public good. I think if we all carry that motto in our hearts, in every city and community in the land, there is no question but the proper thing, American democracy, will survive.”
2019 was Bernie Sanders’ turn to do the same.
At Waterfront Park, a crowd of several hundred listened as the Vermont senator delivered an optimistic calling cry to stand with him in the 2020 Presidential election. Sanders lost the June 2016 Democratic primary election to Hilary Clinton, but is returning with a recharged energy.
“The underlying principles of our government will not be racism, will not be sexism, will not be xenophobia, will not be homophobia and will not be religious bigotry,” Sanders said. “Those ugly American sentiments are going to end. Today I welcome you to a campaign which says with confidence, with optimism and with love, that the underline principles of our government will not be greed, will not be kleptocracy, will not be hatred and will not be lies.”
Carlsbad resident Reese Harris attended high school in Burlington, Vermont in the 1980’s while Sanders was mayor. He said he has a long standing relationship with Sanders.
“Bernie has done a really good job illuminating wealth and inequity in this country,” said Harris. “Wealth and inequality is at the root of poor education in many of the communities where underage kids drop out of school and go through the prison system.”
Sanders called for criminal justice reform within the prison industrial complex and said that the money could be better put to use in other places.
“Instead of spending $80 billion a year locking up fellow Americans, we are going to invest in our young people,” he said. “We are going to invest in jobs and education, not jails and incarceration.”
Sanders then took the time to address hate crimes which have surged 17 percent from 2016 to 2018. His goal, he said, is to dramatically reduce hate crimes against marginalized communities.
Sanders supporter Mark Raymond said he enjoyed the senator’s simplicity.
”If you have a candidate like Bernie who is sponsored by hundreds of thousands of little people, who do you think he works for?” Raymond questioned. “If you have a candidate sponsored by big oil or a pharmaceutical company, who do you think they work for? Not you!”
Sanders is considered one of the front runners for the Democratic nomination. The field already includes more than 20 other candidates, including former Vice President Joe Biden, Beto O’Rourke, a former congressman from Texas and California Sen. Kamala Harris.
Roosevelt may not have “felt the Bern” if he was alive, but the San Diegans rallying behind Sanders are ready. Sanders said he sees a shift in government that will focus on justice if elected.
“The principles of our government will be based on justice, economic justice, social justice, racial justice, and environmental justice.”
