Sanders: Inequality ‘issue of our time’

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) writes that income inequality is the “issue of our time” in an op-ed for The Huffington Post appearing on Monday.

Sanders, who is considering a run for the White House, argues that income inequality is a “disgrace to everything this country is supposed to stand for” in an op-ed that reads much like a starting point for a presidential platform.

{mosads}“We make no apologies in stating that the great moral, economic and political issue of our time is the growing level of income and wealth inequality in our nation,” Sanders writes.

If Sanders runs for the Democratic Party’s nomination, the self-proclaimed independent socialist could be a rival from the left to challenge former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who maintains a dominant lead over all challengers and is expected to make a second White House bid.

It is unlikely that Sanders could knock Clinton off, but he could push her to the left.

In his op-ed, Sanders argued that the Democratic Party should move to the left.

“By and large, poll after poll shows that the American people support a progressive agenda,” Sanders wrote.

In addition to income inequality, Sanders argues for a approving a constitutional amendment to reform campaign finance laws; adding regulations to prevent companies from changing their corporate headquarter addresses to dodge U.S. taxes; increasing infrastructure spending; and making education reforms.

“In the year 2015 our job is to gain control over the national debate, stay focused on the issues of real importance to the American people, stand up for our principles, educate and organize,” Sanders wrote. “If we do that, I have absolute confidence that we can turn this country around and become the kind of vital, prosperous and fair-minded democracy that so many want.”