Sanders still hopeful for ‘vibrant American democracy’

July 16--DES MOINES -- A hopeful Bernie Sanders called on Iowans to join the political movement for a "vibrant American democracy" rather than succumb to the "greed of the billionaire class."

Much of the Vermont independent senator's 50-minute keynote address to more an 1,100 people at the annual convention of Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement on Saturday in Des Moines echoed the themes of his campaign for the 2016 Democratic presidential nomination.

"Let me thank all of you for your determination to revitalize American democracy," Sanders began.

"Let me thank all of you for your efforts to create a government in America and state by state that represents all of the people and not just the 1 percent."

In many ways, not much has changed since that February night when he came within tenths of a percentage point from winning Iowa's first-in-the-nation caucuses.

The fight for health care for all and to bring down the cost of prescription medicine, to lower student debt, to preserve family farms, to take on corporate agriculture, and to rein in the power of wealthy campaign donors and secretive super PACs continues, he said.

As the congressional debate on health care comes to a head, Sanders said the nation is at a pivotal moment.

"If we don't get our act together, if people all over this country do not stand up, there is a real likelihood the trend toward oligarchy will only intensify," Sanders said.

"The trend for having a handful for billionaire families with unlimited resources controlling our political process will only get worse. The trend toward a handful of conglomerates owning and controlling our economy will only get worse."

The challenge for citizen groups such as ICCI is to ensure that "one vote dominates the political system, not billionaires buying elections," Sanders said.

Sanders devoted several minutes to Iowans who voted for Trump, who said he would stand up for the working class, take on the establishment and Wall Street, and that his administration would provide health care for all.

"I'm sorry to tell you ... Donald Trump lied," Sanders said.

Trump has brought more billionaires into his administration than any other president, Sanders said, and selected a chief economic adviser from Wall Street. Now the president is supporting the "most anti-working-class legislation ever presented in modern history of this country -- a disastrous health care bill."

Sanders called on Iowa's U.S. senators, both Republican, to oppose the GOP plan to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act with legislation that could jeopardize coverage of pre-existing medical conditions and cut Medicaid, which provides about two-thirds of the funding for people in nursing homes.

"I say to Sen. Grassley and Sen. Ernst, please, please take a hard look at what this disastrous legislation will do to the people of Iowa and the people of America," he said. "I beg them, please vote 'no.'"

As bad as things may appear at the moment Sanders, who did not address whether he will run for president in 2020, expressed hope for democracy and the future of the nation.

After campaigning in 48 states, including Iowa, where he did more than 100 events, Sanders is convinced "there is an extraordinary level of beauty and decency, not just here in Iowa, but all over this country."

"Of course, there are racists and sexists and homophobes -- you can see them on TV every night. But they are not the majority of the American people," he said. The majority are hardworking and concerned about their children and grandchildren.

"I see the decency in our people," he said at the end of a question-and answer session, "and our job is bringing our people together and not allowing ourselves to be divided up. To think big, not small. To ask 'why not?' rather than simply listen to the billionaires who think we should cut Social Security and health care.

"That's why I'm optimistic. Because we are a beautiful country with beautiful people."

Sanders will be in Iowa City to promote his book, "Bernie Sanders Guide to Political Revolution, at 7 p.m. Aug. 31 at Hancher Auditorium at the University of Iowa. Tickets are available through the Hancher Box Office.

l Comments: (319) 398-8375; james.lynch@thegazette.com

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