Bernie Sanders To Explain Democratic Socialism In Upcoming Speech

Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders is preparing to deliver a speech in the “not-too-distant future” to explain his definition of democratic socialism.

“I think there are a lot of people who, when they hear the word ‘socialist,’ get very, very nervous. To me, democratic socialism means democracy,” Sanders told about 200 supporters in Iowa City. “It means creating a government that represents all of us, not just the wealthiest people in the country.”

Sanders continued by saying Americans already take advantage of “socialist institutions,” noting, “You go to your public library, or you call your fire department or police department, what do you think you are calling?”

The move to explain Sanders’ definition of democratic socialism comes after a particularly difficult interview with Bill Maher earlier this week, when the late night host likened the general public’s view of socialism to herpes, saying, “I want to help your campaign. I want to see you get the nomination. We have to teach Americans what this is, and I don’t know if we’re doing that yet.”

Related: Maher Skewers Sanders: How Can the Country Afford Your Plan?

Sanders previously attempted to explain his views in the first Democratic debate, stating,

“What democratic socialism is about is saying that it is immoral and wrong that the top one-tenth of 1 percent in this country own almost 90 percent — almost — own almost as much wealth as the bottom 90 percent. That it is wrong, today, in a rigged economy, that 57 percent of all new income is going to the top 1 percent. That when you look around the world, you see every other major country providing health care to all people as a right, except the United States.”

Apparently democratic socialism is about providing “free” things, paid for by your taxes, that inevitably end up not working, for the purpose of sticking it to the capitalist man.

Perhaps Sanders will do a better job at explaining democratic socialism in his upcoming speech. Perhaps he’ll also clue us in as to how he realistically expects to spend more in promises than the entire country actually produces. Perhaps he’ll also come on stage feeling generous, and redistribute some of his estimated $330,000 net worth to those less fortunate than him.

Related: Bernie Sanders: ‘Yes, I Will Raise Taxes On Everybody

After all, isn’t that what democratic socialism is all about?

Regardless, Bernie Sanders exemplifies the idea that when government promises you free things, what they’re really promising is economic enslavement.

Perhaps he’ll provide us with an explanation for that one in his speech, too.

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