(ProsperNews.net) – Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) argued on Sunday that Democrats suffered major losses in the recent elections because the party has drifted away from representing the interests of working-class Americans. In an interview on CNN’s State of the Union, Sanders emphasized that the Democratic Party’s failure to deliver on economic issues that matter most to everyday people left a significant portion of the electorate disillusioned.
When asked by host Dana Bash whether he stood by his critique, Sanders was unequivocal. “Oh, absolutely,” he affirmed. “Look, Joe Biden is a friend of mine,” he said, noting that he was proud to support Biden’s agenda aimed at helping the working class. “Biden promised to be the most progressive president since FDR,” Sanders explained, adding that on domestic policies, Biden had made strides in that direction.
“But here is the reality,” Sanders continued. “The working class of this country is angry, and they have a reason to be angry.” Sanders argued that while high-level economic indicators might look promising, the actual lived experience of many Americans tells a different story. “We are living in an economy today,” Sanders explained, “where the people on top are doing phenomenally well, while 60 percent of our people are living paycheck to paycheck.” Sanders also highlighted the struggles faced by seniors, noting that “25 percent of elderly people are trying to get by on $15,000 a year or less.”
Sanders contended that this widening gap between the top and the bottom has left working-class voters feeling abandoned and, in many cases, betrayed by a party they feel is more interested in catering to corporate interests than addressing their day-to-day struggles. “This is not sustainable,” he added, stressing that Americans are frustrated not just by stagnant wages and rising costs, but also by a system that seems unwilling or unable to address these challenges.
While he praised some of Biden’s efforts on climate and healthcare, Sanders argued that the Democratic Party needs to go further to make meaningful economic changes. He urged the party to re-center its focus on policies that improve wages, address economic inequality, and provide relief to working families who have been “left behind in this economy.”
Sanders’ remarks are the latest in a series of criticisms from progressive voices who argue that Democrats need to recommit to economic justice if they hope to rebuild trust among working-class voters. As Sanders pointed out, the disillusionment within this group—traditionally a core Democratic base—has driven many to either disengage or consider alternatives, further underscoring the need for change within the party.
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