Sen. Bernie Sanders spoke to more than 3,000 enthusiastic union leaders from across North America in Las Vegas on Wednesday at the convention of the United Steelworkers of America. Bernie focused on the need to create millions of good-paying jobs and to protect Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid. Earlier in the week, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi addressed the convention. President Barack Obama spoke to the membership via video.
At a time when more than 16 percent of American workers -- 25 million Americans -- are either unemployed or underemployed, Bernie called for a bold effort to create millions of jobs by rebuilding the nation's crumbling infrastructure, transforming our energy system and rewriting our trade policy so that American products -- not jobs -- are our number one export.
“These are tough times in our country and a pivotal moment in our history. It’s important for us not just to be on the defensive. We have got to be on the offensive,” Bernie said in his speech. “We have got to bring forth a vision that speaks to what America is all about. And that is jobs that pay people a decent wage, jobs that are created in the United States of America, not in China.”
Hours after delivering his convention speech, Bernie spoke with Ed Schultz on MSNBC about the jobs crisis facing the country.
“I think the American people are beginning to catch on,” Bernie said. “The president cannot keep trying to compromise with people who do not want to compromise. What he needs to do is come out with a bold job-creating program to put millions of people back to work, and challenge the Republicans to support it.”
UPDATE: John Amato: If you missed it, please check out Bernie's live chat on C&L yesterday. Blue America just endorsed him.
