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Endorsement: For California and the Southwest, it has to be Bernie Sanders


The Sun Runner usually does not endorse candidates for any political office. There are issues the magazine addresses which are political or have a political component to them, and if a "representative" appears to be representing someone or something other than the best interests of his or her constituents and the American people, including all Americans who are also citizens of Native nations, they make themselves fair game for criticism and even rebuke.

But this year, after witnessing what appears to be widespread electoral fraud and/or manipulation, dismaying media bias, equally disheartening party bias, and the enormous influence of massive levels of corporate and special interest funding being spent on everything from creating dedicated propaganda outlets masquerading as media, to a reported $1 million spend on phony social media likes and followers, and talking points-driven paid social media trolls - all of which leads to disenfranchisement of American citizens on a vast and unacceptable scale, it's time to take a look at the candidate for president who stands to best represent the people of California and the Southwest. That candidate is Bernie Sanders.

The American Southwest is a stunningly beautiful and culturally rich region. Our liberal definition of the region includes the California deserts, Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, southern Utah, southwestern Colorado, parts of Texas, a little of the eastern Oregon and Washington desert regions, as well as numerous Native American nations across the region. Outside of the United States, we, for editorial purposes, also include Baja California and the desert regions of Mexico. We know this is an expanded, non-traditional definition of the "Southwest," and we don't care. We love it all. Let's take a look at some of our region's issues and how Sanders proposes to address them:

Immigration

The Southwest is an ethnically diverse region, and we love it. But this diversity also brings challenges and sometimes points of conflict to the region. California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas are border states. Immigration is an issue that impacts the region, and nation, and we're long overdue for a comprehensive and rational approach toward immigration.

To proclaim that we're "going to build a wall," and that somehow the Mexicans will pay for it, and we're going to deport around 12 million undocumented people who have already been living here, some for decades, is absurdly unrealistic. We understand the frustration with government not addressing immigration properly for decades, but the Donald Trump "solution," may appeal to some voters, but it's unworkable and a shallow, one-dimensional approach toward resolving a very human problem.

As for Hillary Clinton, her actions as Secretary of State helped to create the instability in Honduras which led to child immigrants seeking asylum in this country. That she would, on one hand, foment the unrest that has led to Honduras being one of the most violent and dangerous countries on the face of the earth, and on the other hand, urge the return of children fleeing that violence she helped create, renders her unfit to address immigration matters.

Sanders has put forth an immigration platform that is unique in it both strives to ensure border security and approach the issue of immigration and undocumented workers in a humane, even-handed manner. Immigrants could purchase health care coverage under the Affordable Care Act, families wouldn't be torn apart, a reformed visa system would be implemented, private detention centers would be discontinued, and instead of focusing on immigration as a "gotcha" to use in attacks on political opponents, Sanders wants to approach it on the human scale.

The Southwest would benefit from a humane and rational approach toward immigration. While no one can guarantee Congress would wake up one day wanting to actually solve problems instead of manipulate them for political gain, having a sane and sober policy proposed from the president would be leadership in the right direction, and a tool for the American public to use in their dealings with Congress.

Poverty, Jobs, the Enviornment

Much of our region, while culturally rich, is financially challenged. At the same time, much of our nation's infrastructure is decrepit, obsolete, and deteriorating rapidly. Sanders' Rebuild America Act would be a superb initiative to address both the issues of unemployment and the need to repair our crumbling infrastructure.

Critics like to point at its price tag and proclaim that we can't afford it. In fact, many of Sanders proposals are welcomed with this criticism. It is interesting we can, without a second thought, drop several trillion dollars for a war, weapons systems, etc., and billions upon billions more for corporate welfare, but in the minds of critics, we're far too broke to invest in things we actually need.

As a point of fact, we cannot afford to not repair our infrastructure. Without a functioning infrastructure, America's days of being a world leader are over. It's that simple. Our ports, railways, highways, bridges, airports, inland waterways, potable water systems, wastewater treatment systems, and electrical grid, are all operating at less than optimal levels, with increasing numbers of problems and failures. It doesn't get cheaper to fix them by postponing dealing with the problem. Sanders Rebuild America Act both addresses the need to repair our infrastructure, and the need to put more Americans back to work.

With the cost of our deteriorating infrastructure costing our economy already nearly $200 billion per year, the time to act to address this issue is now. Sanders isn't proposing some crazy socialist dream, like his critics say. Instead, he's trying to save us from spending far more - after we lose more money and experience deadly disasters that are inevitable if we do not take action to fix these problems that have been allowed to continue for far too long.

Combined with Sanders' approach toward changing the vast income and wealth inequality in this country that does impact all Americans who are not part of the 1 percent elite, along with his plans to ensure a living wage so workers who put in a 40 hour work week will be able to survive on their income, for women to receive equal pay for equal work, and more accessible higher education, ordinary Americans across the Southwest should benefit greatly from these common sense proposals. Will implementation of these policies always be easy and not have any unintended consequences (such as the $15 minimum wage that may be more difficult for small businesses in rural communities instead of in thriving urban areas such as Seattle)? No. There will be adjustments that may sometimes painful, but ultimately will benefit all (the higher minimum wage has been proven to be an economic engine in the community, with workers spending most of the raise within their community). If we had adjusted the minimum wage for inflation from $1.60 in 1968, when the minimum wage had its highest purchasing value, it would be far higher today than the proposed $15. In fact, while the minimum wage was only $1.60 in 1968, measured in 2014 dollars, that would have raised it to $10.88. But the purchasing power of the federal minimum wage has decreased since 1984, meaning that $10.88 would buy now approximately $4.50 worth of goods if measured in real terms using 1984 dollars.

The Southwest will ultimately benefit from having more of its population working, and earning more. Bernie Sanders' policies for economic stimulation and a living wage will benefit the region while also addressing national issues such as the reconstruction of our infrastructure. We need a plan for improving employment, wages, and our infrastructure, and Bernie Sanders has those plans we need.

In addition, Bernie Sanders addresses climate change issues, and turning to a clean energy system. Not only does this help move us toward dealing with climate change (instead of denying it, as so much of Congress is wont to do), but it should also benefit the Southwest economically as we transition toward a cleaner energy industry.

Income and Wealth Inequality

Simply put, this country cannot afford to concentrate wealth in such a small percent of its population. More Americans earning more money, is far healthier than our current system. Our country now has more income and wealth inequality than any other major developed nation on earth. Princeton University has declared our nation to be an oligarchy.

When the top one-tenth of one percent owns as much wealth as the bottom 90 percent of all Americans, there is a serious problem. We have the highest child poverty rate of nearly all developed nations on the planet. Our workers struggle to find suitable employment, our children struggle to pay for a higher education, our seniors face a daunting existence instead of a fulfilling retirement. While one candidate wears baseball hats with "Make America Great Again," stitched on them in China, one candidate has a platform of interwoven common sense plans to ensure America remains great, long into the future. That candidate is Bernie Sanders.

Healthcare

While the Affordable Care Act has been a step in the right direction, it's still burdened with the problems that come from a system that forces the purchase of private insurance while having the taxpayer subsidize private insurance. No cost-cutting measures or controls have been put into place. There is no bargaining for better rates for pharmaceuticals or medical procedures. Costs remain extremely high in comparison to care received.

Ultimately, a single-payer Medicare for all system, is the only way this country will be able to reign in medical costs and ensure all Americans may obtain health care. Done properly, it will benefit employers, workers, the old and young, and will result in a healthier, more productive society. Gone will be the millions yet uninsured under the ACA. Gone will be the medical-related bankruptcies which still plague American society. Like immigration, this is a fundamental issue which has gone far too long without being properly addressed. It's time for a change. Let's move on in a positive direction from the ACA to a Medicare for all system and join the rest of the developed world.

Education

Every politician loves to talk about the greatness of America. Many follow their words with actions that directly undermine the likelihood of America continuing to be a great nation. Bernie Sanders wants to make state college tuition free, a move that would help facilitate our young people's educations, resulting in a better educated, better prepared citizenry, which is something a nation needs if it wishes to remain great.

Yes, there is a cost associated with the Sanders plan. It's one we used to think, here in California, was well worth it. Other nations still do. And while there is a cost, there is a cost benefit in a better educated workforce and more qualified leaders. Again, we can blow an easy two or three trillion dollars on a nightmarish war, but we can't invest in our youth? Not only can we, but probably will be better off investing sooner rather than later.

Native American Issues

“Time and time again, our Native American brothers and sisters have seen the federal government break solemn promises, and huge corporations put profits ahead of the sovereign rights of Native communities. As President, I will stand with Native Americans in the struggle to protect their treaty and sovereign rights, advance traditional ways of life, and improve the quality of life for Native communities.”

- Bernie Sanders

This is an issue that has a broad impact across our region. Native nations comprise a great deal of the Southwest today, and, of course, this has been their home throughout history. Yet Native Americans face a host of challenges and have been, as Sanders notes, been treated as third class citizens (when they're treated like citizens at all).

Sanders wants to move from a relationship of paternalism and control, toward one of deference and support, as well as honoring treaty rights and tribal sovereignty. His platform on Native issues is the most rational, comprehensive one from any presidential candidate in recent history. Not only does he recognize the problems Native Americans face, but has a platform to begin addressing them. If Natives are seeking a candidate to support, they would do well to consider Sanders.

In Summation

At a recent Bernie Sanders rally, we were surprised as we tried to reconcile the criticisms of Sanders - giving away free stuff, dangerous socialist - with his platform. Instead of hearing fiery revolutionary rhetoric that was anti-capitalist and offering free stuff to all, we heard very common sense proposals for addressing problems this country faces. Woven through that was a humanistic message of respect for all people - rich, poor, different ethnic and religious backgrounds, straight or gay, transgender, young, old, Native, immigrant, urban or rural.

Sanders' vision for this country is progressive and strong. It is a vision that ultimately benefits all Americans - even the 1 percent elite. For what good is being wealthy when you're surrounded by millions of destitute people, fearful, unhealthy, divided, and struggling, in a land where the infrastructure is crumbling and dangerous, and the country is in decay on every level? Is it not worth some investment to raise up millions of Americans from poverty, to have a healthier economy, a more just society, equality and opportunity for all our citizens?

It's the America we want to see. We've been a country getting our pockets picked and misled with purposefully bad information for far too long. You can see the frayed edges of this nation if you look. Hate, divisiveness, ignorance, decay, racism, bigotry, lack of respect, lack of unity, a willingness to respond to disinformation, and with violence. We can repair the damage now, if we act. If we wait too long, our repairs will become more expensive, more problematic, more unlikely to hold.

We think John F. Kennedy was right when he noted, "Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable." The peaceful revolution is here, asking for your vote. Bernie Sanders is the logical choice for voters in the Southwest.

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