Bernie Sanders: Billionaires Buy Elections
on Monday, January 5, 2015Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont Money Quotation saying our history of battling injustice in the world will make us focus on injustice and corruption at home. Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont said:
“I do not believe that people fought and died for democracy so that billionaires can buy elections” — Bernie Sanders
Bernie Sanders seems to be criticizing the role of money in political campaigns and elections. Specifically, he implies that allowing wealthy donors and “billionaires” to essentially “buy elections” through unlimited spending undermines democratic ideals that citizens and soldiers have fought to defend.
By suggesting people fought and died to establish democracy, not for it to be co-opted by financial interests, Sanders appears to believe large political contributions from the very rich distort the principle of one person, one vote.
Overall, the quote indicates Sanders views unlimited campaign spending as oligarchic and contrary to the democratic system countless have sacrificed to establish and protect.
Steve Sack, The Minneapolis Star Tribune
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