U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders
On January 11, 1944, in his last State of the Union speech, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt outlined the need for a second bill of rights. He understood that, in a democratic and civilized society, "freedom" is not limited to political rights. "Freedom" must mean economic rights as well. People are not "free" when they have to work 60 hours a week to put food on the table. People are not "free" when they cannot afford to go to the doctor when they are ill. People are not "free" when they are thrown out on the street because their company moved to China. People are not "free" when they are forced to live their senior years in poverty.
In a profoundly important speech which has gotten far too little attention, Roosevelt stipulated that every American has the fundamental right to:
1. A job.
2. An adequate wage and decent living.
3. A decent home.
4. Medical care.
5. Economic protection during sickness, accident, old age, or unemployment.
6. A good education.
2. An adequate wage and decent living.
3. A decent home.
4. Medical care.
5. Economic protection during sickness, accident, old age, or unemployment.
6. A good education.
In my view, 75 years later, the time has come to fulfill and expand upon FDR’s vision by guaranteeing everyone in America the right to universal healthcare through Medicare for All; a good paying job; free tuition at public colleges and universities and a substantial reduction in student debt; high quality pre-K and childcare; paid family and medical leave; an expansion in Social Security; and safe and affordable housing.
These are not radical ideas –– they are supported by the overwhelming majority of Americans. Working together we can and we must achieve economic, social, racial, political, and environmental justice for all.
https://www.latimes.com/world/europe/la-fg-germany-coal-power-20190126-story.html?fbclid=IwAR30nDCew6AGWwcHa7zjhEYtOZznxBy2gTSKs_Sd1xohSM3M8afTfu-p2ak
Medicare for All
You probably didn't know this, but hospitals in the United States actually charge new moms to hold their baby for a couple minutes after giving birth. A tiny moment of 'skin-to'skin' contact between mother and child costs more than many people earn in two or three hours of work. The healthcare system in the US is greedy and inhumane.
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