Bernie Sanders: DeVos $200 Million to GOP

Steve Sack
The Minneapolis Star Tribune

Bernie Sanders Money Quote saying Trump Education Department pick DeVos has donated a couple of hundred million dollars to Republican Party and appears to have gotten her money’s worth. Bernie Sanders said:
 

 

“Betsy DeVos, if you had not given $200 million to the Republican Party do you think you would be nominated to lead the Education Department?” — Bernie Sanders

Betsy DeVos, if you had not given $200 million to the Republican Party do you think you would be nominated to lead the Education Department?

— Bernie Sanders (@SenSanders) January 17, 2017

Bernie Sanders: Two-Tier Justice System

Bernie Sanders Money Quote saying We need consider fairness under the law because poor are prosecuted for petty crime, we need to guarantee prosecution for wealthy corporate crime. Bernie Sanders said:
 

 

“We have got to end the two-tier justice system — one for the poor and working class and one for Wall Street and the wealthy” — Bernie Sanders

In this quote, Bernie Sanders seems to be criticizing what he views as an inequitable double standard within the U.S. justice system. Specifically:

• He argues there are effectively “two-tier” or two classes of justice – one system for ordinary citizens (“the poor and working class”) and another more lenient system for powerful economic elites (“Wall Street and the wealthy”).
• Sanders implies that the legal consequences and level of scrutiny applied differ based on socioeconomic status, with harsher treatment for average Americans compared to the affluent.
• The quote conveys Sanders’ position that a truly fair and just legal framework should have one uniform set of principles, processes and outcomes applied equally regardless of income or social class.

Overall, Bernie Sanders appears to be decrying what he sees as an imbalance where ordinary people face stricter punishment for similar offenses compared to wealthy and corporate entities. He advocates for reforming the system to ensure one standard of justice without double standards based on financial means.

Bernie Sanders: Wells Fargo Business Fraud

Bernie Sanders Money Quote saying when Wall Street banks fraudulently open fake accounts to inflate stock prices, it is criminal behavior. Bernie Sanders said:
 

 

“Business model of Wall Street is fraud. In my view, there is no better example than the recently-exposed illegal behavior at Wells Fargo” — Bernie Sanders

In this quote, Bernie Sanders is harshly criticizing the business practices of Wall Street banks like Wells Fargo. By stating their “business model” is “fraud”, Sanders is asserting that the core way these large financial institutions operate and generate profits is through fraudulent and illegal behavior. He cites the “recently-exposed illegal behavior” at Wells Fargo, which involved opening millions of fake accounts without customers’ consent, as evidence of this.

Overall, Sanders appears to be arguing that Wall Street culture systematically promotes deception and law-breaking in order to maximize earnings, and that Wells Fargo is just one example of a deeper problem across the industry. His language portrays the banking sector in an extremely negative light and suggests more stringent reforms are needed to curb fraudulent practices.

Bernie Sanders: Economy of Common Good

Bernie Sanders Money Quote saying the young are seeking a return to being economically fair for both wealthy and poor. Bernie Sanders said:
 

 

“[Our youth] are calling out for a return to fairness; for an economy that defends the common good by ensuring that every person, rich or poor, has access to quality health care, nutrition and education” — Bernie Sanders

In this quote, Bernie Sanders is expressing the demands of younger generations according to his view. He says youth are calling for a “return to fairness” and an economy that promotes the “common good”. Sanders believes this means an economy where every person, regardless of wealth, has access to basic necessities like healthcare, nutrition and education.

By arguing the economy should “defend” these things for all, he is advocating for greater social protections and a reduced wealth gap between rich and poor. Sanders portrays the views of youth as wanting an economic system that provides a baseline of support and opportunity for all citizens, not just those who are financially well-off. His interpretation is that young people see fairness as requiring an economy that looks after the welfare of every member of society.

Bernie Sanders: More Investment in Needs

Bernie Sanders Money Quote saying we have resources to invest in our societal needs first. Bernie Sanders said:
 

 

“We are rich enough to increase our investments in skills, infrastructure, and technological know-how to meet our needs and to protect the planet” — Bernie Sanders

In this quote, Bernie Sanders is arguing that the United States currently has sufficient wealth and resources to make strategic investments that can both “meet our needs” and help “protect the planet”.

When he refers to meeting needs, Sanders likely means investments that can help address issues like education, healthcare, childcare, housing and other social programs to support citizens. By “protect the planet”, he’s referring to investments in green infrastructure, renewable energy technology and climate solutions.

Sanders’ view is that if the country and its wealthy citizens are willing to contribute more, there is enough money available to make progress on both social priorities and environmental sustainability goals through increased public investments.

He sees the current level of wealth in society as providing an opportunity to tackle both domestic and global challenges with adequate funding commitments.

Bernie Sanders: Bankers Have No Shame

Bernie Sanders Money Quote saying bankers act with impunity to increase profits by defrauding the public and pay fines like they were simply business expenses. Bernie Sanders said:
 

 

“Top bankers have shown no shame for their bad behavior and have made no apologies to the public. The billions and billions of dollars of fines they have paid for financial fraud are just another cost of doing business, another shortcut to unjust profits” — Bernie Sanders

Bernie Sanders seems to be criticizing major banks for a lack of accountability and remorse regarding past financial misconduct. He argues that the large fines banks have paid for fraud and illegal behavior are simply considered a business expense by the banks rather than a true punishment.

Sanders implies this allows banks to treat fines as another way to generate profits through unjust means, without any personal consequences for executives or meaningful changes in behavior.

His remarks portray banks as unrepentant for past wrongs and undeterred by fines, suggesting structural reforms may be needed to properly address issues like financial fraud and hold top bankers personally responsible for illegal corporate actions.

Bernie Sanders: They Bailed Out Banks

Bernie Sanders Money Quote saying while the working public lost their work, savings and houses, the government saved the banks. Bernie Sanders said:
 

 

“The American economy and much of the world was plunged into the worst economic decline since the 1930s. Working people lost their jobs, their homes and their savings, while the government bailed out the banks” — Bernie Sanders

In this quote, Bernie Sanders is describing the impact of the Great Recession that began in late 2007. He notes that the American economy and much of the world experienced the worst economic downturn since the 1930s Great Depression.

Sanders then outlines how this crisis affected working people specifically – they lost their jobs, homes, and savings. He contrasts this by saying that while ordinary citizens suffered greatly, the government’s response was to “bail out the banks.”

Sanders appears to be criticizing the lopsided nature of the recovery efforts, arguing that more could have been done to directly aid average workers rather than just the financial sector.

Overall, the quote captures Sanders’ view that the recession devastated many working families yet the banks received preferential treatment.

Bernie Sanders: Income Inequality Issue

Bernie Sanders Money Quote saying unfairness of wealth distribution should be focus of economic and political efforts to resolve them. Bernie Sanders said:
 

 

“The issue of wealth and income inequality is the great economic issue of our time, the great political issue of our time, and the great moral issue of our time” — Bernie Sanders

In this quote, Bernie Sanders is emphasizing the profound importance of addressing wealth and income inequality. He calls it not only the defining “economic issue” but also the preeminent “political issue” and “moral issue” facing society.

Sanders appears to be arguing that reducing the massive gaps between the richest people and everyone else in terms of both accumulated wealth and earnings should be one of the top priorities.

The quote suggests he believes tackling inequality is not just a matter of economics but also involves questions of political systems and structures of power, as well as fundamental issues of ethics and justice.

Overall, Sanders is stressing that resolving the problem of disproportionate concentrations of riches and resources among a minority must be among the most pressing challenges of the time.