NASHUA – Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders said Friday that if elected, he will spend much of his first day issuing executive orders to undo President Donald Trump’s “racist” policies.

Joined by a member of the so-called “Squad” in the form of U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., Sanders spoke to a large crowd at Nashua Community College Friday evening.

Omar is one of four far-left congresswomen who have collectively become known in national political circles as the “Squad.” The others are:

• U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y. (commonly known as “AOC;”)

• U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich.; and

• U.S. Rep. Ayanna Pressley, D-Mass.

“We must and will in our administration make public colleges and universities tuition free,” Sanders said in the community college’s gymnasium.

Four years ago when he was campaigning through New Hampshire during his first run for president, Sanders recalls voters viewing this concept as a radical idea. He said since that time, states and elected officials are moving in that direction.

Sanders said for more than 100 years, when thinking of free public education, it was only thought of as being kindergarten through grade 12. However, he said the world has changed, technology has changed and so too has the global economy. Sanders said the vast majority of people today need some form of higher education to have the opportunity to reach the middle class.

More than a decade ago, against his vote, Sanders said Congress voted to bail out Wall Street with trillions of dollars via zero-interest loans. Sanders also said two years ago, Trump gave big-dollar tax breaks to the top 1% in large profitable corporations.

“When you think outside of the box, then you begin to say, ‘Well you know, government can do more than bail out crooks or large corporations. Maybe government can stand up with working people, and just maybe, we can cancel all student debt in this country.'”

Sanders plans to do that by imposing taxes on Wall Street speculation. He said there is no more important work than being a teacher and educating young people. He mentioned how he learned that a Major League Baseball pitcher had signed a contract for more than $200 million, and said if a pitcher can be paid that kind of money, every teacher should earn at least $60,000 per year.

“Nobody in this country – not in New Hampshire, not in Vermont, not anywhere – who works 40 hours a week should live in poverty,” Sanders said. “That ain’t a radical idea.”

Sanders also highlighted how in some cases, teachers are leaving their profession behind because they no longer want to be working two or three jobs. He said while visiting Manchester a few ago, he talked with some teachers and learned some are starting at an annual salary of $28,500. Moreover, he also questions why millions of working class families today cannot find quality child care, while those workers in child care centers are also underpaid.

“If we love our country, we love our children. And if we love our children, we’re going to make sure that every kid in this country has high-quality, affordable child care,” Sanders said.

Sanders also spoke of Medicare for All. He said people should not go bankrupt because they are dealing with cancer, or heart disease or any other terrible illness. He said Medicare for All means no more premiums and a dramatic reduction in out-of-pocket expenses. He also wants his single-payer health care plan to cover dental care, hearing aids and eye glasses.

Sanders also came prepared with a message for conservatives on another issue involving health care, that being abortion.

Adam Urquhart may be contacted at 594-1206, or at aurquhart@nashuatelegraph.com.

Newsletter