There is, fortunately, an angelic side to this year's presidential race. We are blessed with the miracle of the Bernie Sanders campaign, calling for the sort of political revolution we so desperately need. Bernie's call for redistribution of wealth via a peaceful revolution has inspired millions of young people to become politically active for the first time. He offers us "a future to believe in".
For the key issue of climate change, his campaign boldly addresses the corporate underpinnings of the problem. His site says he will:
Reclaim our democracy from the billionaire fossil fuel lobby.
Revolutionize our electric and transportation infrastructure.
Lead the international community to solve climate change and prevent international conflict.
Bernie is eager to dialogue with those who oppose him, and work for a peaceful understanding. For instance, last September he made a point of speaking to students at Liberty University, a stronghold of the same fundamentalist Christians who support Trump, Cruz, Rubio. Here are some excerpts:
"I came here today, because I believe from the bottom of my heart that it is vitally important for those of us who hold different views to be able to engage in a civil discourse"
"I am far, far from being a perfect human being, but I am motivated by a vision, which exists in all of the great religions, in Christianity, in Judaism, in Islam and Buddhism, and other religions.
"And that vision is so beautifully and clearly stated in Matthew 7:12, and it states, "So in everything, do to others what you would have them to do to you, for this sums up the war and the prophets." That is the golden rule. Do unto others, what you would have them do to you. That is the golden rule, and it is not very complicated"
" Amos 5:24, "But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream." Justice treating others the way we want to be treated, treating all people, no matter their race, their color, their stature in life, with respect and with dignity"
"There is no justice, and I want you to hear this clearly, when the top one-tenth of 1 percent -- not 1 percent, the top one-tenth of 1 percent -- today in America owns almost as much wealth as the bottom 90 percent. And in your hearts, you will have to determine the morality of that, and the justice of that.
Bernie speaks to the best American values- peace through dialogue, compassion for the downtrodden, and justice for all. Above all, he is willing to face painful truths like climate change and the corporate interests that are fueling it, and insist on the changes that need to happen.
He is fighting for America's soul.
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