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Over the course of the 2020 presidential election, Bernie Sanders has made it clear precisely where he stands. Sanders, a self-proclaimed Democratic-socialist and progressive, has rallied behind extreme, left-wing reform. Some examples of the reforms which Sanders supports are Medicare-for-All, the Green New Deal, raising the minimum wage, etc. Each of these policies and many others have faced backlash, particularly from conservatives.

Over the weekend, Sanders rallied with supporters in Kentucky and had choice words for one conservative, in particular. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell served as the topic of Sanders' censure. The 2020 candidate blasted McConnnell for failing to get behind progressive policies.

A Closer Look at Sanders' Criticism of McConnell

During his time with supporters, Sanders made the case that McConnell's interest in shielding his "billionaire friends" surpasses his interest in properly serving Americans. Of course, Sanders' idea of proper service is backing leftist policies such as raising the minimum wage and increasing gun control. The 2020 hopeful furthermore hit the Senate Majority Leader for the latter's stance on taxes.

In Sanders' own words:

"The reason I’m in Louisville is to ask McConnell to do the right thing. Stop worrying about your billionaire friends -- they’re doing just fine -- and start worrying about the working families of this state and around the country who are struggling to keep their heads above water. Why does he oppose virtually every piece of legislation that protects working families, while supporting legislation that gives huge tax breaks to billionaires? Follow the money!"

https://twitter.com/BernieSanders/status/1165730811980734469

What Does it Really Mean to Fight for Working Families?

Republicans and Democrats continue to maintain very different ideas of what fighting for working families means. What Sanders and other Democrats view as helpful to middle America is regarded by Republicans as horrific for middle America.

The policies which Democrats have collectively supported are a prime example of this. Democrats claim that raising the minimum wage is helpful for working families; however, when the minimum wage increases, prices and lay-offs also increase, while hours decrease. This ultimately counteracts prospective financial gains from raising the minimum wage.

Sanders and other Democrats also support Medicare-for-All, but by Sanders' own admission, this will raise taxes on the middle class. Even the Affordable Care Act, which many Democrats supported, mandated working people to either purchase healthcare which may or may not work for them or pay a penalty fee. Right now, 2020 frontrunner Joe Biden is running on a healthcare system which serves as a continuation of Obamacare.