The three-day Texas Democratic Convention had appeared to be the largest Democratic party hosted in Corpus Christi, Texas. The weekend was finalized with a speech from U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders. Sanders has been the senior U.S. Senator from Vermont since 2006 and is the longest-serving independent member of Congress in U.S. history.
Since his early career in the civil rights movement protesting segregated campus housing, Sanders has fought for the middle class and equality. Sanders’ speech covered topics surrounding wealth inequality, healthcare costs, housing affordability, and the urgency for political and voting participation.
The Hilliard Center arena was filled with an audience that was attentive and reactive. Chanting, clapping, and loud commentary followed Sanders’ speech as he observed the audience from the podium. “Sixty-six percent of our people are living paycheck to paycheck,” Sanders said.
According to Sanders, the concentration of wealth in America today is four times greater than it was during the Gilded Age. Sanders mentioned that so many people in America are homeless or paying 50% of their income on housing and the Democratic Party plans to fight for affordable housing, along with expanding Social Security, and raising federal minimum wage. This includes raising teachers’ pay to no less than $60,000 a year.
Sanders continued his speech, emphasizing no more spending billions of dollars in wars and the current immigration crisis does not justify throwing decent people out of America. Sanders explained, though others may have endless amounts of money to spend on campaigns, this should not intimidate those wanting to participate and show support for their party by getting involved in the political process. No matter the color of our skin, religion, country, origin, gender, or our sexual orientation, solidarity overrules money.
“We believe in a common union,” Sanders said.
