Senator Sanders Unfiltered Video: America’s Class Crisis

by Senator Bernie Sanders | August 10th, 2009

Senator Sanders Unfiltered: My New Online Show from Brave New Films

I hope you’ll join me for my new show, Senator Sanders Unfiltered produced by Brave New Films. Follow my show on Twitter at SandersShow.

When I first entered Congress almost 20 years ago, there was no such thing as e-mail, and if you wanted to get a message out to the public, you had one of four major TV networks to choose from.

Today, e-mail is on the brink of becoming passé, and your choices for communicating with the public range from four TV networks and six cable news channels to a thousand blogs, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and whatever social media outlet is six weeks away from becoming the next new thing.

While this has made life infinitely more complicated for my communications director, it has also made the world a more democratic place. Nowadays you don’t need to be a senator or a CEO or a celebrity to have a voice in the media, and if you happen to be a senator, a CEO or a celebrity, you have a thousand people each with their own respective audiences to hold you accountable. And as we all have come to learn only too well, there are plenty of senators and CEOs (maybe not celebrities) that need badly to be held to account.

It is in this new media ecosystem that we wage our national debates over critical issues like health care reform, global warming, the war in Afghanistan and the collapse of the American middle-class. In this complex and exciting landscape, democratic debate isn’t just a two-way street, it’s five intersecting eight lane highways.

Now more than ever, we need the kind of robust debate that the Internet makes possible. The right wing has monopolized the AM radio airwaves. The top-ranked cable news channel in the country is a surrogate for the Republican National Committee. A handful of huge corporations own almost all of the networks, cable news channels and major newspapers in the country. Even the alternative weekly newspapers, traditionally a bastion of progressive thought and analysis, have been bought by a monopoly franchise and made a predictable shift to the right in their coverage of local news.

In this consolidated media market, as one of the strong progressive voices in the Senate, I have been extremely fortunate to have friends that share my values at The Huffington Post, Think Progress, Buzz Flash, Daily Kos, Open Left, Firedoglake, Crooks and Liars, Brave New Films and many other blogs and news sites. As the traditional media have become increasingly intent upon marginalizing progressive Americans as a fringe curiosity, I and other progressive thinkers and activists have had an alternative means online to speak our minds to a large and growing audience.

That’s why I’m excited to announce that I’ll be joining the online media world myself with my own weekly show, called “Senator Sanders Unfiltered.” Produced by Brave New Studios and debuting today at sandersunfiltered.com , “Senator Sanders Unfiltered” will allow me to speak directly to you about the major issues facing our country – issues which impact the lives of ordinary Americans but which are often ignored or downplayed by the corporate media. And because this is the Internet, I’ll be able to hear from you as well. My show will begin each week with a video question from a viewer, solicited over Twitter. Follow ‘SandersShow’ on Twitter to get in touch with me.

This is an exciting new step in using the Internet to shorten the distance between the public and its elected officials. I’m proud to be part of getting it underway.

Allen Williams

Senator Sanders I am a gay man who lives in California. My partner is from the Philippines if he were a female immigration would be much easier for us. Where do you stand on gay civil rights?

christopherries

REVOLUTION ! my dear America is the only way. I realize it sounds radical. But we need to take arms to the government who has slept in the same bed as Corporate America for years. While "WE THE PEOPLE" sit and watch them Rape the future from our children and grand children. Sen Sanders I appologize for this radical way of thinking but it is the only answer at this point. Pres. Obama is already in bed with the same institutions who caused all this mess. REVOLUTION is the only way!! Go back to the roots and foundations we formed this great democracy which ceases to exist. We are actually more Socialist than we realize in so many ways. I aquired a European citizenship one year ago because I could see there was no use in fighting IGNORANCE. I am comfotable paying 52% Taxes to have great schools, Low crime Rate, superior infrastructure,prime health coverage that can not deny benefits and a retirement that will actually make me comfortable till I Pass on. Greed and the wrong idea of capitalism has destroyed the ideals ofrom which was once a Great Nation. Radical Change is the only thing now that can turn our country back to the people. Revolution!!

DrFrogg

Sen Sanders, thank you for your wisdom and statesmanship. Unfortunately most of your colleagues are poster boys for term limits. They changed the contribution rules so what we used to call graft and corruption is legal business as usual. They are bought and paid for by the corporations, and so is Obama, who ran the most expensive presidential campaign ever. I am a registered independent who contributed and voted for him, however, based on the wall street, banking, and military industrial complex whores he appointed and retained from the last administration, it's clear that the change he promised was a marketing ploy - say anything to get elected. He's shown that he is no different than Bush - beholden to the greedy corporations.

rebeccaharriskotula

Senator, you're fabulous! You GO, Bernie!!

My kids and I recently moved from Vermont to my home state of Montana, and believe me I sing your praises here in Missoula, a mostly progressive liberal arts college town.

in solidarity

Rebecca Harris Kotula

ForDemocracy

IF we become conscious of our power as the working class and our authentic right to self-govern where we live as well as---crucially important---where we work, we will move humanity (We,The People) in the only direction in which we will create a healthy, truly democratic, cooperative society. If we only see the future as "More of the same, just a little bit better"...in other words, hoping reforms will inevitably work.....we may perish as a race and as a planet. Our real future can be as a Democratic Socialism in which capitalism's values, institutions and framework have been peacefully made illegal and voted out of existence--replaced by cooperative ownership and decision-making in a humane governance structure (see www.PeopleForANewSociety.org) OR Bernie and all of us who know there is a better way will be wasting precious time. Bernie! You've got the position to educate & begin a new party based on a REAL alternative. Democracy, Where We Live and Where We Work. Many of us are ready. We NEED YOU TO BE TOO!
Bernie, with your admirable skills & understanding, will you help us develop a unified movement, and then a new political party....one that uses the political process STILL AVAILABLE TO WE THE PEOPLE...to peacefully, potently and clearly present a simple & clear platform based on real economic & civic democracy....(for example, see PFANS working model).... and with plain-speaking candidates committed to that real change... help build a NEW SOCIETY? The time is coming.....
We Need You In Solidarity For Real Democracy,
PeopleForANewSociety

sgdusa

I invest in multi-family real estate using cash and a local bank. I stopped investing on Wall Street years ago because of the greed and immoral activity that occurs in that industry. I urge others to invest in real assets and not help Wall Street firms make more money. I wish pension funds and endowments would take a look at how their investments are destroying America and the world while enriching a few. New laws also need to deter rampant speculation of commodities that we all use and limit pay on Wall Street so that more bright college grads might decide to go into other industries and do something productive with their lives.

mariabo

Senator Sanders,
What do you think about bringing back the Tobin Tax? It's a 1% tax on every financial transaction on Wall Street. Wouldn't it raise trillions of dollars over time and slow down speculative behavior?

st_ronin

I need to move to Vermont, but the winters are pretty rough.
Keep fighting the good fight Bernie!
Oh, and where can I make a donation to Brave New Films, so i can be blamed for funding a progessive viewpoint.
The last time I checked the dictionary, progressive: favoring or advocating progress, change, improvement or reform as opposed to maintaining things as they are. Conservative: disposed to preserve existing conditions, institutions, etc., or to restore traditional ones, and to limit change.
In my life, and I'm sure for others, things are always changeing. Let's as a country change for the better, become more humanistic, and care for all. For as a wise Jewish prophet once said, "As you do to the least of my brothers and sisters, as you do unto me"

sharonzecchinelli

ROTFLMAO! I'll just laugh openly at all of you liberals.

Just who is paying for these Brave New (World Order) Films?

DrFrogg

and what do you do for a living? Stop with the label BS and look at what is really happening to the USA. The corporations and wall street are/own the government, not the people. And that includes their current puppet/Majordomo, Obama as well.

linda123

I don't see anything funny here. Perhaps this isn't your venue. Here there are concerned citizens who want to change the way Wall Street dominates our government and cause the devastation of our middle class citizens. If you can't contribute you could just observe. Being flippant doesn't solve anything.

sasha

expressing second-hand opinions and wisecracks from of a 'smart and witty' nature is not going to change any of the facts. you should ask yourself who is paying for this so-called 'crisis'.

Guest

Dear Senator,
Thank you for standing up for all of us. As I listen to the debate on health care, I am amazed at how the "public" cites the Constitution in it's argument. Where were these people when the Bush administration was appointed by the Supreme Court? Where were they when we were lied to in order to go into a war in Iraq? Where were they when Bush implemented the patriot act? Where were they when government wiretapping of citizens became the norm? Where were they when the greed on wall street decimated our bank accounts and pensions? I am sick of paying the price for the ignorance of others. I am scared to death that some nut will try to take this debate into their own hands and deny the rest of us the hope we voted for. It is obvious that many of these protesters do not understand the health care system. As a Registered Nurse for over 30 years I have seen first hand how the system has been decimated by greed and corruption. Don't these people get it that when profit is added to the equation that we all lose? Years ago, the fire service was a "private" enterprise. If a property owner did not pay a premium and obtain a fire dept. mark or sign on their home, the fire dept. would simply pass the burning structure and would not put out the fire. We have come a long way since then. Were there cries of socialism when the fire departments became public entities? I doubt it. People need to understand how they are being used by the opposition in this debate. Perhaps a basic intelligence test is in order to be able to vote.

sasha

it is good to see there are serious politicians in the usa that share my concerns. as an inhabitant of europe (the netherlands) i am very worried by the fact that the so-called 'free' market an it's agression managed to make the middle class disappear in just a matter of years. as we all have learned in history class, a strong middle class is needed to prevent totalitarism and a police-state. i doubt it if obama is capable of turning this process around. i will follow mr. sanders' comments with the greatest of interests, for europe's future is closely linked to that of the u.s. the americanisation of our social security system is the first sign that all our ancestors have fought for, is disappearing down the drain.

nonplussed

Unfortunately, politicians such as Senator Sanders are an extreme rarity in American Politics. He is the lone liberal voice in the Senate, much as is Dennis Kucinich in the House. There are around 50 members of the Progressive Caucus in our House of Representatives. They, and by extension, all of us American Liberals, are openly laughed at by the Speaker of the House.

michaeljkoval

Thank You Mr.Sanders
for speaking the TRUTH
The whole U.S.Goverment needs a HUGE re-haul---It been OFF the wall for many Many decades
Our founding fathers would be shocked at the MESS and Corruption in the US Goverment.
False flag wars,,,,Federal Reserve and Wall st.Bankers ruining the economy
Insurance companies and drug companies fleecing regular Americans for profit.
No Universal Heath Care in the worlds richest conntry !!!! How shameful !
The CIA and FBI ECT,,,,-almost answer to No one---Its becoming a Police state
The PATRIOT ACT takes away Our Constitutional Rights -and No One Cares ??? America Wake UP !!!!
WTC and 911 are very scary and questionable events-Why and What really HAPPENED ???
GEORGE W BUSH _ COMPANY WALK away from the MESS they made and No Lawsuits or Hearings ???
NO ONE GOES TO JAIL FOR LYING TO AMERICANS !!!! No WMDs and a lot of dead and suffering !
The U.S Goverment is failing to work for the common people ......By and Large
Its Dysfunctional for the middle class and regular folks and poor in America !!!
Most of Congress have become Eliteists and give Lip service to the masses
The Elite RICH Rule -----and control congress Its SICK ! The truth hurts and
the corruption is Institutionalized---SADLY Too many-American people are in Denial. BUT Dont STOP !
Dont stop and get allies form within and outside the US Goverment Grass roots-Go to the people !!!
Good Luck- God Bless you
From
Michael J.Koval Phila pa

hamkap

Go for it, Bernie.

You are such a threat to the far-Right and the mainstream-Right. Please, please, please stay off of airplanes!

58% of the Republicans believe Obama is not a U.S. citizen and most Republicans still can't accept the fact that an African-American holds the highest office of the land. They will stop at nothing to destroy not just the Left, but the Moderate-Center, as well.

We must understand that laughing them off no longer works. They are floating trial balloons to see how much they get away with. We must confront them head on.

rojan

Thank you Senator Sanders. It seemed that no one has spoken up for us, at least not until I listened to your message. We are living like slaves in a system designed by criminals who prey off of honest hard working people. Please continue with the same courage and conviction.

Tulak

Senator Sanders god bless your work!
We need more senators like you!
America is very sick,people are fed up of corporations,CEO's,Wall Street and so on.....
Thank you

stephennnn

I luv ya Bernie...Keep it up!!!!

gandalf47

Right on, Senator! I listen to you on the radio when I can on Thom Hartman's show, and we share common views on most issues worth discussing.

Regarding your reaching out to citizens concerning civil constructive correct communication creating common cognizance comprehensively - I concur.

Santa Barbara, CA

Plugger

What bothers me is not so much the wealth itself in the hands of anyone. If some guy wants to live in a $13 million house, bully for him. What's troubling is the power that wealth buys. Money buys not only houses and champagne, it buys laws.

Not enough different people have enough money to balance and check each other. Who counters Big Pharma? Who counters Big Oil?

We need mechanisms to limit power. If that means limiting the size of individuals' wealth, or the size of business entities, that is what we have to do. Don't hold your breath waiting.

ForDemocracy

The notion that somehow-someone-in some way - will corral, limit,regulate,control or dictate to the corporate wage & profit system (capitalism)--while it might make us feel beter so we can forget about
doing anything as a people, is dangerously reckless. And idealistic! If the corporations own the political parties and thereby control every aspect of government at all levels - local, state,national & global -how do those who call for "reform & regulation" actually believe it can happen? Americans, wise up & smell the coffee.
We need a solid, serious, purposeful movement of ALL those who want to see a cooperative, humane and healthy country to call 'home'. WAKE UP!! IT CANNOT HAPPEN UNDER CAPITALISM!

Complaining, hoping, dreaming & playing at 'reform' is getting not only 'OLD"! Its looking more & more
dangerously absurd. We need a NEW POLITICAL PARTY that is based on real, peaceful change to begin building a NEW SOCIETY. Visit www.PeopleForANewSociety.org. We love Bernie's POTENTIAL. But we, the people have a lot of serious learning to do. A new paradigm must take shape BEYOND THE SACROSANCTITY OF CAPITALISM, competition, wages, markets, wars & imperialism. Capitalism MEANS
a bleak future. We need to get serious & start rethinking how to go forward. Its not thru the Duopoly
Party. It must come from We, The People and it can start here & now.
PeopleForaNewSociety