An enthusiastic standing room only crowd gathered in the auditorium of the McCreary Community Building Monday to hear from presidential candidate Bernie Sanders.
More than 250 people filled the room to hear from the Vermont Senator explain why he wants to be the next President of the United States.
“We ran because we had a gut feeling that the American people were sick and tired of establishment politics and establishment economics.”
Sanders talked about a variety of principles he bases his campaign on including wealth inequality, increasing voter turnout, women’s rights and affordable education.
After Sanders addressing the crowd for around 45 minutes he took questions from the audience. He was asked about the Trans Pacific Partnership, which he is says he’s leading the effort against it and believes there is a chance to defeat it.
When asked about his thoughts on the military, Sanders stated the war on Iraq was the “worst foreign policy disaster in modern history” and ISIS needs to be stopped.
“It seems to me that our goal should be to crush and destroy this barbaric organization but we’ve got to do it in coalition with counties all over the world. I will do my best to ensure that our men and women in the military do not get involved in a never ending perpetual war in the quagmire of the middle east.”
Another audience member asked the Senator about social security and survivor benefits. He said benefits should be expanded in the future rather than cut, which he states is possible by lifting the cap on contributions.
The final question of the day was in regards to if elected president, how he will get the things he wants done when Congress is “controlled by big corporations”. Sanders said when there is common ground he can work with Republicans but it will take millions of people getting engaged in the political process to tell lawmakers they are watching and have needs that must be met.
To end the event, Sanders told attendees that the eyes of the world will be on Iowa on caucus night February 1st and encouraged everyone to show their support.
