Sen. Bernie Sanders | This Past Weekend w/ Theo Von #524

Upcoming Tour Dates

• The speaker announces upcoming tour dates, including Lafayette, Louisiana on November 29th, Beaumont, Texas on November 30th, and Las Vegas, Nevada on August 30th and 31st.
• The speaker mentions other tour stops, including Bend, Oregon; Spokane, Washington; Portland, Oregon; Vancouver, BC; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; North Little Rock, Arkansas; Springfield, Missouri; Kansas City, Missouri; Sioux Falls, South Dakota; Lacrosse, Wisconsin; Green Bay, Wisconsin; and Moline, Illinois.

Podcast Episode and Guest Introduction

• The speaker thanks the Venetian Soda and Cocktail Lounge in Burlington, Vermont for hosting the podcast episode.
• The speaker introduces Bernie Sanders, a United States Senator from Vermont, as the guest.
• The speaker mentions that Sanders is an independent but has been friendly with the Democratic Party.
• The speaker notes that Sanders has served as a congressman, senator, and presidential candidate.
• The speaker acknowledges that Sanders is a prominent figure in American politics.

Personal Anecdotes and Musical Preferences

• The speaker discusses his own career in stand-up comedy and podcasting.
• The speaker mentions attending a Grateful Dead concert with his brother.
• The speaker and Sanders discuss their musical preferences, including Pete Seeger, Billy Strings, and Woody Guthrie.
• Sanders mentions that Woody Guthrie's granddaughter helped him during his campaigns.

Influence of Money in Politics

• The speaker discusses the influence of money in politics, particularly the role of lobbyists and super PACs.
• They highlight the significant number of lobbyists in Washington D.C., representing large corporations and industries like pharmaceuticals.
• The speaker argues that these lobbyists exert considerable influence on government decisions, often prioritizing corporate interests over the needs of the people.
• They mention the Citizens United Supreme Court decision, which they believe has exacerbated the problem of money in politics.
• The speaker explains that the decision allows billionaires and corporations to spend unlimited amounts of money on elections, effectively buying influence and undermining democratic principles.
• They express concern about the impact of this on the ability of politicians to stand up to powerful special interests and prioritize the needs of their constituents.
• The speaker emphasizes the importance of passing legislation to limit the influence of money in politics and restore a more equitable system.
• Super PACs allow billionaires to contribute large sums of money to political campaigns, circumventing limits on individual contributions.
• The speaker argues that this system gives wealthy individuals disproportionate influence in politics, as they can outspend candidates who rely on smaller donations.
• He advocates for campaign finance reform, including stricter limits on individual contributions and public funding of elections.
• The speaker believes that the current system is moving the United States towards an oligarchy, where a small number of wealthy individuals control the political and economic landscape.

Healthcare System Critique

• The speaker uses the example of healthcare to illustrate his point, noting that Canada's publicly funded healthcare system is less expensive and more accessible than the United States' system.
• The speaker emphasizes that medical debt is a major cause of bankruptcy in the United States, highlighting the inequities of the current healthcare system.
• The speaker discusses the high cost of healthcare in the United States, stating that many people are forced to spend their lives in debt due to medical bills.
• The speaker highlights that half of cancer patients in the United States either go bankrupt or deplete their family's financial resources due to medical expenses.
• The speaker contrasts the American healthcare system with the Canadian system, which is funded through taxes and provides universal healthcare coverage.
• The speaker criticizes the American system for its high deductibles, bureaucratic processes, and exorbitant profits for insurance companies and pharmaceutical companies.
• The speaker argues that healthcare should be a right, not a privilege, and that the current system is corrupt and benefits the wealthy at the expense of ordinary Americans.
• The speaker mentions that lobbyists from insurance and pharmaceutical companies oppose universal healthcare, and that politicians often work with these lobbyists to maintain the current system.
• The speaker emphasizes that the United States is the only major country in the world that does not guarantee healthcare to all its citizens.
• The speaker argues that a good healthcare system should prioritize keeping people healthy, encouraging good diet, exercise, and avoiding addictive substances.
• The speaker criticizes the current private insurance system, stating that insurance companies profit more from sick individuals than healthy ones.
• The speaker believes that the private insurance system is moving towards a monopoly, with companies like United Health controlling a significant portion of the healthcare market.
• The speaker proposes a plan to expand Medicare over a four-year period, gradually lowering the eligibility age from 65 to 35, ultimately covering all Americans.
• The speaker argues that this plan would eliminate deductibles, co-payments, and premiums, while potentially increasing taxes.
• The speaker emphasizes that the United States spends significantly more per person on healthcare than other countries, despite not having better health outcomes.
• The speaker suggests that the current system prioritizes profits for insurance and pharmaceutical companies, leading to higher costs and potentially lower quality care.
• The speaker cites examples of Canada and the United Kingdom, which spend less per person on healthcare while providing universal coverage.
• The speaker discusses the issue of hospitals overcharging patients and suggests a system similar to other countries where hospitals receive a global budget instead of charging per person.
• The speaker highlights the excessive spending on medical billing in the United States, which includes insurance companies, bill collectors, and administrative staff.
• The speaker points out that the United States, despite being the richest country in the world, has a lower life expectancy compared to other nations, particularly Japan.
• The speaker emphasizes the significant gap in life expectancy between the wealthy and the working class in the United States, with the wealthy living up to 10 years longer.
• The speaker attributes this disparity to factors such as access to healthcare, stress, and burnout.
• The speaker argues that working-class individuals experience higher levels of stress, which negatively impacts their physical and mental health, leading to shorter lifespans.
• The speaker mentions that some areas in the United States are experiencing a decline in life expectancy due to stress and hopelessness, which can lead to substance abuse and suicide.
• The speaker criticizes the complex and frustrating medical billing system in the United States, which often involves loopholes and delays in payment.
• The speaker discusses the issue of healthcare in the United States, highlighting that it is the only country that does not guarantee healthcare to its citizens.
• The speaker argues that the current system is flawed, with medical bills being the leading cause of bankruptcy.
• The speaker criticizes the influence of money in politics, suggesting that it prevents politicians from addressing the issue of healthcare effectively.
• The speaker acknowledges that there are concerns about potential abuse of a universal healthcare system, but argues that the benefits outweigh the risks.
• The speaker emphasizes that healthcare should be considered a right for all Americans, regardless of their financial status.
• The speaker concludes by stating that the United States, as a powerful nation, should prioritize healthcare spending.

Transparency in Healthcare Costs

• The speaker discusses a bill called the "Transparency Bill" which requires hospitals to disclose the price of medical procedures like MRIs.
• The speaker mentions that the bill is being worked on with Senator Buw from Indiana, a Republican.
• The speaker highlights the issue of high medical costs in the United States, citing examples of patients incurring tens of thousands of dollars in debt after surgery.
• The speaker points out that even within the same hospital, insurance companies pay different prices for the same medical procedure.
• The speaker uses the example of an apple to illustrate the absurdity of the situation, where the price of a medical procedure is not known until after it is performed.
• The speaker mentions a personal anecdote about a woman who traveled to Mexico for a cheaper OIC procedure.
• The speaker notes that the price of OIC in Canada is significantly lower than in the United States.

Drug Pricing and Negotiation

• The speaker attributes the price difference to the fact that the United States does not negotiate drug prices with pharmaceutical companies, while other countries like Canada do.
• The speaker argues that the United States should adopt a similar approach to drug pricing, where the government negotiates prices with pharmaceutical companies on behalf of its citizens.
• The speaker discusses the high cost of prescription drugs in the United States, noting that drug companies can charge whatever they want.
• The speaker mentions the Inflation Reduction Act, which allows Medicare to negotiate drug prices for the first time.
• The speaker also mentions that the Veterans Administration (VA) negotiates drug prices, resulting in lower costs.
• The speaker discusses the issue of price transparency for prescription drugs, stating that a bill requiring price disclosure has not yet been passed.
• The speaker expresses frustration with the high cost of prescription drugs, particularly for people who are already sick.
• The speaker criticizes the greed of pharmaceutical companies, arguing that they are choosing to make more money even when they are already wealthy.

Political Climate and Donald Trump

• The speaker discusses the upcoming election and the current political climate.
• The speaker acknowledges that Donald Trump is a non-traditional politician who does his own thing.
• The speaker criticizes Trump for lying, arguing that he is not a good example for the country.
• The speaker contrasts Trump with other politicians who may have different political views but are not liars.
• The speaker expresses strong disapproval of Donald Trump's character, citing his history of lawsuits and his tendency to lie.
• The speaker believes that Trump's behavior sets a poor example for children and that he is not a suitable leader for the country.
• The speaker emphasizes the importance of women's reproductive rights and criticizes Trump's stance on the issue.
• The speaker highlights the urgency of addressing climate change and expresses concern about Trump's denial of its existence.
• The speaker argues that Trump's stance on climate change could have devastating consequences for the planet, leading to increased floods, droughts, and heat waves.
• The speaker acknowledges that China is currently the world's largest polluter but emphasizes that the United States has a responsibility to lead on climate change.
• The speaker believes that Trump's lack of concern for climate change could encourage other countries to disregard the issue, leading to a global crisis.
• The speaker recognizes that Trump's appeal lies in his unconventional and unfiltered approach, which resonates with some voters.
• The speaker acknowledges that Trump's supporters feel like he speaks for them, even if they don't agree with everything he says.
• The speaker mentions that Kid Rock is one of Trump's advisors and expresses skepticism about the quality of his advice.
• The speaker discusses the idea of assassinating political figures, stating that it is a horrible and unacceptable act.
• The speaker believes that the individual who attempted to assassinate Donald Trump was likely a lone individual, but acknowledges that there are often conspiracy theories surrounding such events.

Kamala Harris and the Democratic Party

• The speaker believes that Kamala Harris is a strong and determined candidate who will likely be the Democratic nominee for president.
• The speaker acknowledges that Harris is a tough opponent, having debated her in the past.
• The speaker discusses his own experience running for president in 2016 and 2020, stating that he felt he was treated unfairly by the Democratic establishment.
• The speaker believes that the Democratic establishment was nervous about his potential success and encouraged other candidates to drop out of the race in order to consolidate support behind Joe Biden.
• The speaker states that he won the first three primaries in Iowa, New Hampshire, and Nevada, but that the establishment then worked to undermine his campaign.
• The speaker acknowledges that Biden is a friend and that he believes Biden has done a good job as president.

Media Trust and Conspiracy Theories

• The speaker discusses the decline in trust in media and how it has led to the rise of conspiracy theories.
• The speaker argues that the media is controlled by a small number of large corporations, such as Comcast, which limits the range of discussions on important issues.
• The speaker uses Medicare for All and income inequality as examples of topics that are not adequately discussed in mainstream media.
• The speaker believes that the lack of discussion on these issues contributes to a sense of disenfranchisement and a loss of purpose among Americans.
• The speaker suggests that this lack of representation in the media leads to a feeling of disconnect from the fabric of society.

Loss of Community and Connection

• The speaker discusses the loss of community and connection in modern society, contrasting it with the past when people knew their neighbors and had a shared sense of purpose.
• The speaker uses the example of Vermont, where he was mayor of Burlington, to illustrate this point. He describes how people in rural towns knew each other and worked together, often in industries like dairy farming.
• The speaker argues that this loss of community is a significant problem and expresses concern about the future of the country if it is not addressed.

32-Hour Workweek and Worker Productivity

• The speaker then transitions to discussing the 32-hour workweek, arguing that it is a necessary policy due to increased worker productivity and stagnant wages.
• The speaker points out that despite technological advancements that have significantly increased worker productivity, real wages have not kept pace, leading to a situation where workers are producing more but earning less.
• The speaker argues that the benefits of increased productivity should be shared with workers, and that a 32-hour workweek would be a step in the right direction.

Bernie Sanders' Views on Wealth Distribution and Politics

• Bernie Sanders believes that the wealth of the nation should be distributed more evenly.
• He advocates for a 32-hour workweek without a loss of pay, arguing that workers should benefit from increased productivity due to technology.
• Sanders acknowledges that implementing such a change would require raising wages.
• He emphasizes that getting involved in politics is one way to bring about change, but not the only way.
• He encourages individuals to focus on their passions and work towards change through education, organizing, and activism.
• Sanders believes that individuals should get involved in politics only if they genuinely believe in the cause and not solely for the purpose of getting elected.
• He acknowledges the importance of platforms like Theo Von's podcast for fostering meaningful discussions about important issues.
• Sanders expresses concern about the healthcare system, highlighting the lack of transparency and the exploitation of patients by hospitals and insurance companies.
• He advocates for price transparency and patient empowerment in the healthcare system.