LIVE: Bernie Sanders holds MAJOR RALLY…in MAINE!!

Bernie Sanders and other speakers contend that the United States is experiencing unprecedented wealth and income inequality, describing it as a 'grotesque' and 'insane' situation. Sanders highlights that the top 1% owns more wealth than the bottom 93%, and one individual (Elon Musk) owns more wealth than the bottom 53% of American households. This concentration of wealth is seen as leading to an 'oligarchy' that controls both the economy and the political system, undermining democracy through campaign finance and media ownership.

Bernie Sanders states, 'Today, the top 1% owns more wealth than the bottom 93%.' and 'one man, Elon Musk, owns more wealth himself than the bottom 53% of American households.' He also mentions CEOs making 350 times the average worker's salary. [01:36:08], [01:36:32], [01:36:52]

Kelly Brennan of the National Nurses United and Bernie Sanders argue that healthcare is a human right, not a privilege, and that the current 'healthcare capitalism' system is broken. They point to 85 million uninsured or underinsured Americans, 60,000 annual deaths due to lack of access, and the closure of rural hospitals due to Medicaid funding cuts. They advocate for a Medicare for All single-payer system, citing other wealthy nations that provide universal healthcare at no direct cost to patients.

Kelly Brennan states, 'Healthcare capitalism has no place in a world of healing. No one should be profiting off another person's illness or injury.' and 'Healthcare is a human right and Medicare for All is the answer.' Bernie Sanders notes, 'We spend twice as much as other countries. Tens of millions are uninsured or uninsured. And you know what that means? It means that some 60,000 Americans die each year because they don't get to a doctor when they should.' [00:33:47], [00:34:17], [01:25:43]

Troy Jackson, a fifth-generation logger and candidate for governor, shares his personal history of witnessing and fighting corporate power. He recounts an incident from his childhood where a billionaire landowner threatened to replace striking loggers with Canadians, highlighting how workers are pitted against each other. His experience led him to run for office, where he successfully championed policies like universal school meals and paid family medical leave, despite facing numerous vetoes from the governor, which he attributes to the influence of 'power and influence' over government.

Troy Jackson describes the landowner's threat: 'If you don't go back to work for what I'm paying you, I'm going to replace you all tomorrow with Canadians.' He later states, 'As Senate President, we made universal school meals free. We invested in child care, healthcare, housing. And just two weeks ago, it came out because we passed paid family medical leave.' [00:40:27], [00:47:04]

Graham Platner, a US Senate candidate, calls for a 'political revolution' to achieve 'material freedom' for working people in Maine. He argues that the current system offers only 'romantic freedom' but condemns people to 'scraps and struggle.' Platner emphasizes that this movement is not divided by age, class, gender, or race, but is a unified effort by Mainers to reclaim what has been 'taken' by corporations, billionaires, and 'corrupt politicians like Susan Collins.' He stresses the need for collective action and door-to-door organizing.

Graham Platner states, 'When we beat back fascism, when we defend our democracy and our freedom, let it be a different kind of freedom. Not merely a romantic freedom... but a freedom that is material.' He also says, 'We are going to take back what is ours. We're going to take it back from the corporations that seek profit no matter the cost. From the billionaires for whom greed is the point. And from corrupt politicians like Susan Collins.' [01:14:46], [01:04:57]