Democratic presidential hopeful and self-described socialist Bernie Sanders accused his Republican rivals Thursday of catering to the rich and greedy.
Sanders expressed his viewed during an interview with Ari Rabin-Havt on SiriusXM’s Progress Channel. According to the Vermont senator, Republican policies are clearly catering to the richest Americans. Republicans are set to debate Thurday night for the first time this election cycle.
“This is what they will tell you,” Bernie said. “They want to give more tax breaks to millionaires and billionaires at a time when the rich are getting much richer.”
Sanders and the Republican candidates differ greatly when it comes to tax policy. Sanders has advocated for a progressive tax system similar to what he passed in Vermont. Under such a system, an individual has to pay a higher percentage of taxes based on how much money they make. The more wealthy a person, the higher percentage of their income is taxed.
Many Republicans on the other hand have argued for a flat tax system. Under such a system, all taxpayers pay taxes at the same percentage rate. Wealthy individuals would still potentially be taxed more, but only because they make more money. The percentage of their income would still be the same.
Sanders also criticized Republicans for their hesitance to accept the theory of manmade climate change. The issue has often been used to attack Republicans. Calling the theory “settled science,” fellow Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton also attacked Republican skeptics last month.
“There may be one or two on there who actually have listened to the scientific community and think that climate change is real,” Sanders said.
“Most of them refuse to accept that,” Sanders continued. “And none of them are prepared to act aggressively to transform our energy system.”
During the interview, Sanders also took aim at Republicans for wanting to decrease the size of certain government programs.
“They want to cut or privatize Medicare, cut Medicaid, cut Education, cut the Environmental Protection Agency,” he declared.
Republicans have argued government spending is out of control and needs to be reined in. Republican Rep. Tom Price argued such changes are needed to get a balanced budget. Nevertheless, Sanders sees these positions as a clear sign Republicans are not interested in the average American and are only out to help the richest.
“That is what their agenda is,” Sanders concluded. “Essentially, when you watch that debate just imagine if you are one of the wealthiest people in this country and extremely greedy and selfish, and you’re going to have ten candidates more or less talking about your needs and not the needs of working people.”
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