Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), a top contender for the 2020 Democratic nomination, has long criticized the wealthy. In 1971, he denounced millionaire senators as “immoral.”
But as was recently revealed with the release of his tax returns, Sanders is himself a millionaire in the Senate and part of the 1 percent he so routinely rails against … and his wealth came by way of capitalism, not the redistributionist democratic socialism he so often touts.
Sanders is a 1 percenter
An article in the Foundation for Economic Education questioned whether Sanders is a hypocrite, noting that despite Sanders’ demonization of the rich and his demand that the wealthy pay more in taxes, he himself is part of the 1% and recently scoffed at the idea of paying more in taxes.
When asked during a recent Fox News town hall-style event why he didn’t voluntarily pay more in taxes on his accumulated wealth, given his demand that the rich pay higher rates, Sanders replied, “Pfft, come on. I paid the taxes that I owe.”
Sanders’ recently achieved millionaire status came by virtue of our capitalist system via a best-selling book. Yet he espouses
Millionaire senators are “immoral”
Perhaps adding a bit more bite to the charge of hypocrisy for Sanders are his own words from nearly 50 years ago, when he railed against “immoral” millionaire senators who enriched themselves in public office while the working-class continued to struggle.
CNN uncovered Sanders’ remarks in a local Vermont newspaper, the Bennington Banner, in December 1971. At that time, Sanders unsuccessfully ran for the U.S. Senate as part of a now-defunct socialistic party called the Liberty Union Party, a “radical political party” that sought to nationalize industry and redistribute the nation’s wealth.
According to the Banner, Sanders “said it seems ‘immoral’ to him that millionaires represent the people of their states.” He accused them of representing “the interests of corporations and big business — their fellow millionaires” instead.
He also suggested that members of Congress have their annual salaries reduced to whatever the average annual salary of workers in their respective states was at that time.
“Some animals are more equal than others”
A spokesman for Sanders issued a statement to CNN that attempted to spin the rediscovered remarks from decades ago — but there is no spinning out of this glaring example of hypocrisy.
Bernie Sanders preaches the virtues of socialism and wealth redistribution. Meanwhile, he himself has grown rich through capitalism and most certainly has not redistributed his own accumulated wealth through voluntarily higher tax payments. As for charitable donations, Sanders’ recently released tax returns reveal he donated just 2.26% of his income on average in the last ten years.
Like most politicians on the left — and certainly many on the right as well — Sanders is a Grade A hypocrite who doesn’t practice what he preaches. George Orwell’s suit-wearing pigs from Animal Farm come to mind: “All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.”
923 Responses
I really liked your blog post.Much thanks again. Really Cool.
I just could not go away your web site before suggesting that I really loved the standard info an individual supply in your guests? Is going to be back steadily in order to check up on new posts
Spot on with this write-up, I seriously think this amazing site needs far more attention. I’ll probably be returning to read through more, thanks for the info!
Wow, great article.Really thank you! Much obliged.
Thank you for your blog post.Much thanks again. Want more.
Thanks-a-mundo for the article post.Really thank you! Really Great.
Fantastic blog article.Thanks Again. Really Great.
A round of applause for your post.Thanks Again.
wow, awesome blog post.Much thanks again. Cool.
Looking forward to reading more. Great blog post.Really thank you! Want more.
Really enjoyed this article.Thanks Again. Will read on…
I appreciate you sharing this post.Really looking forward to read more. Will read on…
930922 605332There is evidently a whole lot to know about this. I consider you produced certain nice points in features also. 491468
I am so grateful for your article post.Really thank you! Awesome.
Major thanks for the article.Really thank you! Keep writing.
A big thank you for your post.Thanks Again. Will read on…
I loved your blog article.Really looking forward to read more. Will read on…
wow, awesome blog.Much thanks again. Awesome.
I really like and appreciate your post. Really Great.
Really appreciate you sharing this post.Really looking forward to read more. Much obliged.
Wow, great blog post.
Your style is very unique compared to other people I’ve read stuff from. Thank you for posting when you’ve got the opportunity, Guess I will just book mark this blog.
bookmarked!!, I love your web site!
Great info. Lucky me I came across your blog by accident (stumbleupon). I have saved it for later!
Oh my goodness! Amazing article dude! Many thanks, However I am going through troubles with your RSS. I donít know the reason why I am unable to subscribe to it. Is there anyone else having the same RSS issues? Anyone that knows the solution can you kindly respond? Thanx!!
I like reading an article that will make people think. Also, many thanks for permitting me to comment!
I have to thank you for the efforts you’ve put in penning this blog. I’m hoping to check out the same high-grade blog posts by you in the future as well. In fact, your creative writing abilities has encouraged me to get my very own website now 😉
Wonderful post! We are linking to this particularly great post on our website. Keep up the good writing.
Major thanks for the post.Really looking forward to read more. Cool.
Thank you ever so for you post.Thanks Again. Want more.
Really appreciate you sharing this blog post.Really thank you! Awesome.
Muchos Gracias for your post.Really thank you! Want more.
Muchos Gracias for your article.Thanks Again. Cool.
wow, awesome article.Much thanks again. Cool.
965786 216535The Case For HIIT Cardio – Why You ought to Concider it By the way you might want to look at this cool website I found 571283
Awesome blog article. Fantastic.
Great, thanks for sharing this blog post.Really thank you! Will read on…
Great information. Lucky me I found your site by accident (stumbleupon). I’ve saved as a favorite for later!
I value the blog. Great.
Good write-up, I’m regular visitor of one’s site, maintain up the nice operate, and It’s going to be a regular visitor for a long time.