About Bernie

80 years old

Hometown: Brooklyn, New York

The son of a paint salesman, Bernie was raised in Brooklyn, New York. During his time in college, he became involved with the civil rights movement. After college, he moved to Vermont where he worked as a writer and filmmaker before beginning his political career. He was first elected to public office in 1981 when he became Mayor of Burlington. He was reelected 3 times before moving on to a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives in 1990. Bernie, who describes himself as a "democratic socialist," ran for Senate and won against a much more heavily funded Republican businessperson. Although he has run as an independent in the past, Bernie announced he would vie for the Democratic presidential nomination for the increased visibility that the party would bring.

If elected, Bernie Sanders' primary goal would be to work to fix income inequality by implementing a 13-step plan which works to reverse the current problem of income inequality through taxes, education, and jobs programs. Its highlights include increasing taxes on the wealthy and large corporations, increasing the federal minimum wage, and increasing federal investment in infrastructure.^[1]

If elected, Sanders would move away from a policy of unilateral military action and focus on using diplomatic solutions to expand global influence by promoting fair trade, addressing climate change, and providing humanitarian relief and economic assistance. Sanders would close Guantanamo Bay and seek to limit future military action by setting clear goals and instituting a limited scope to operations.^[2][3]

If elected, Sanders would enact comprehensive immigration reform aimed at keeping families together and regulate the flow of immigrants by modernizing the visa system and international trade agreements.^[4]

If elected, Bernie Sanders would increase taxes on large corporations and institute taxes on Wall Street speculators, the top 0.3% of earners, and anyone who inherits more than $3.5 million.^[1][5]

If Bernie Sanders was elected, he would take significant steps to cut greenhouse gas emissions by accelerating the transition away from fossil fuels and pushing for stronger action in the international community to solve climate change.^[6]

If elected, Bernie Sanders would make public college education free for every American citizen. Sanders claims the cost of this plan can be fully funded by imposing a tax on a fraction of a percent on Wall Street speculators.^[7]