After voting on Super Tuesday, Bernie Sanders told reporters that he was building a broad coalition fighting for justice. Such words are common for Leftists, and the gullible find them inspiring. But Sanders is not fighting for justice. He is on a crusade for injustice.
Justice is the virtue of granting to individuals that which they deserve, that which they have earned by their words and actions. It means holding individuals accountable for their transgressions and rewarding them for their virtues. But to Sanders and his supporters, “justice” means granting the unearned. To Sanders, it means giving individuals values, not because they have earned those values, but because they want those values.
Sanders has advocated free college tuition, health care for all, national rent control, and forgiving student loans. He wants to give individuals the values of education and health care, regardless of their own actions to earn those values. Why? Because many individuals want those values but cannot afford them. He wants to place price ceilings on what landlords may charge. Why? Because some individuals want lower rents. Sanders wants to absolve individuals of their responsibility to repay loans that they voluntarily took. Why? Because they don’t want the hardship of repaying those loans.
In each instance, Sanders refuses to hold individuals accountable for their actions. In each instance, he wants to give individuals values regardless or in spite of their own actions. This isn’t justice. It is a gross injustice. But that is only one side of Sanders’ crusade for injustice.
Somebody must pay for all of the goodies that Sanders promises to distribute. In typical Leftist fashion, he talks of taxing the wealthy to pay for his largess. However, the total estimated wealth in the United States was $98 trillion in 2018 and Sanders’ proposals would cost an estimated $60 trillion. He would have to confiscate a considerable portion of the nation’s wealth in order to play Santa Claus. Which means, everyone will be paying dearly for Sanders’ policies.
To take from those who have produced to give to those who have not is nothing more than theft. And there is nothing just about theft.
That Sanders is a serious candidate for President speaks volumes about the current state of the political Left in the United States. But even more sad is the fact that he proclaims that he is fighting for justice and isn’t laughed off the stage.