Sanders pledges to expand Social Security, lift wages
Continuing his rhetorical assault against the political influence of the ultra-rich, U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders pledged to rebuild the middle class, lift wages and work to move the nation toward sustainable energy during a 17-minute speech at the The Des Moines Register Political Soapbox.
A sweat-soaked Sanders stood under the scorching sun Saturday afternoon in front of one of the largest crowds ever to surround the soapbox.
MORE: Sanders on billionaire class: 'I welcome their hatred'
The independent senator from Vermont highlighted the 80th anniversary of Social Security. Friday marked eight decades since President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed into law the Social Security Act. Sanders pledged to protect the program and expand it by lifting the current cap on taxable income of $118,500.
"Let me be very clear: Virtually all of the Republican candidates in one form or another want to cut Social Security," Sanders said. "Together, we are not going to let them do that."
At one point, an overhead helicopter interrupted Sanders' speech. Though it didn't belong to billionaire Donald Trump, Sanders still took a jab at the Republican front-runner, joking that he had forgotten his own helicopter at home.
"It's in the garage," he said, "I forgot to bring it."
Sanders also addressed racial inequality, pledging to do everything possible to "end the stain of racism and institutional racism in this country." He mentioned by name the deaths of Sandra Bland and Samuel DuBose and lamented the loss of other Americans who have died at the hands of police.
Sanders called for sweeping criminal justice reform and promised to invest in education and jobs rather than incarceration. Though the country has a long way to go to repair race relations, Sanders pointed to the election of President Barack Obama as a major step forward. And he thanked Iowans for propelling Obama's ascent as the winner of the Iowa caucuses in 2008.
"What you showed is that a state which is mostly white could go beyond the color of a candidate's skin and vote for somebody based on their character and their ideas," he said. "Thank you, Iowa."
AT THE EVENT
Quote: "The American people are saying enough is enough. This country belongs to all of us, not just a handful of billionaires."
Crowd: From the time he entered the fairgrounds, Sanders was swarmed with supporters. In some areas, the crowd completely blocked the Grand Concourse during his speech, and wrapped behind the soapbox stage about 20 people deep.
Other stops at the fair: Sanders visited the Iowa Democrats' booth and had a root beer before leaving the fairgrounds.
Up next: Sanders left the fairgrounds to celebrate the opening of his campaign's Iowa City field headquarters Saturday evening. He has Sunday stops planned for Cedar Rapids, Eldridge, Clinton and Dubuque.
Sanders: Wealthy should pay fair share in taxes
Sen. Bernie Sanders knows his plans for free college tuition, increased investment in renewable energy and a massive federal jobs program will cost billions. But in an interview with the Des Moines Sunday Register he said the nation — especially the wealthy — can afford to pay for it.
"Let me be frank, if you are a billionaire in this country, if you are a millionaire in this country, if you are a large corporation that today is making billions and paying nothing in taxes, you know what, under President Sanders you are going to have to start paying your fair share in taxes."
Sanders also praised Iowans for taking their first-in-the nation caucuses seriously, taking the time to get to know candidates, question them and understand the issues.
"What you guys do is go beyond where my state goes in just having a primary," he said. "You demand more of people."