Flashback: Video of Bernie Sanders praising ‘breadlines’

Flashback: Video of Bernie Sanders praising ‘breadlines’
Image: Wikimedia Commons

This is a double flashback. The video, which originally dates to the mid-1980s, resurfaced last year at The Federalist. The occasion for the dredging up of this bit of ancient history was Vermont socialist senator Bernie Sanders’s announcement that he was again running for president.

Now of course Sanders is the nationwide front-runner for the Democratic nomination, according to the RealClear Politics average. He has also narrowed the lead of Joe Biden in South Carolina and Texas and is himself ahead in Nevada and California.

It thus seems appropriate to remind voters what they are getting by casting their fate with Sanders (h/t Dean Garrison, DC Dirty Laundry).

Will this presidential election be the most important in American history?

In the video, which follows, Sanders praises breadlines. The transcript appears after the video.

It’s funny, sometimes American journalists talk about how bad a country is, that people are lining up for food. That is a good thing! In other countries people don’t line up for food: the rich get the food and the poor starve to death.

Of the video, The Federalist writes:

He acts as if this is some sort of trump card that invalidates criticism of breadlines, but people waiting miserably in line for hours to receive basic (and scant) provisions due to horrific food shortages, is pretty far from most sane people’s concept of a productive economy. Imagine the opportunity cost: people standing in lines for hours, as a part of a daily or weekly ritual to get bread and soap and milk, means these people will not be able to work or pursue any enjoyable or fulfilling activities during this time.

Lost innovation and productivity is certainly an argument against breadlines, but for those swayed by the idea of unshackling people from capitalism so they can have more free time and pleasure, don’t assume that standing in breadlines is a happiness upgrade by any stretch of the imagination.

LU Staff

LU Staff

Promoting and defending liberty, as defined by the nation’s founders, requires both facts and philosophical thought, transcending all elements of our culture, from partisan politics to social issues, the workings of government, and entertainment and off-duty interests. Liberty Unyielding is committed to bringing together voices that will fuel the flame of liberty, with a dialogue that is lively and informative.

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