Bernie Sanders: Billionaires Won't 'Rule This Nation'

By Bradford Richardson, The Hill

03 January 16

en. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) is making a New Year’s resolution not to let the billionaire class take control of the nation — starting with Donald Trump.

“I say to Mr. Trump and his supporters that the billionaires in this country will not continue to rule this nation,” Sanders said at an Amherst, Mass., rally on Saturday, according to the Washington Examiner.

The Democratic presidential hopeful said his fourth-quarter fundraising haul of $33 million, announced Saturday, is a sign that a political revolution is underway.

“What is revolutionary about all of that is we are showing you that you can run a national campaign … without being dependent on big money,” he said.

“If you’re ready to wage a political revolution, if you’re ready to do that, please bring out your friends, your families, get those people who have become cynical to get re-involved in the political struggle,” he added. “We’re going to win here in Massachusetts, and we’re going to win this election.”

The campaign said the average donation was less than $30, and that the vast majority of donors had not reached the $2,700 limit.

Sanders also said his experience growing up in a family where money was always tight inspired him to fight for the working class.

“How about creating an economy that is not rigged?” he said. “How about creating an economy that works for working families and not just a handful of billionaires?”

If elected president, he said he would extend paid maternity leave and decriminalize marijuana.

Sanders is scheduled to travel to another event in Worcester, Mass., on Saturday night.