Bernie Sanders Takes Anti-Wall Street Message to Puerto Rico

[eridani]

http://readersupportednews.org/news-section2/318-66/36917-bernie-sanders-takes-anti-wall-street-message-to-puerto-rico

“I’m not going to lower the standard of living of the people in Puerto Rico, so that billionaires can have more profits,” he said at a Monday evening rally. "It is unacceptable that venture capitalists are buying Puerto Rican bonds at a fraction what they cost and they expect 100 cents on the dollar. Together we will not allow that to happen.”

For a politician who has been reticent to tailor his message to appease differing constituencies, the senator ticked through a number of policy proposals and political hot-button issues for Puerto Rican residents during his visit.

Sanders argued against any austerity measures proposed as a part of the island’s budget issues. “Austerity will not solve this crisis. We must vigorously oppose all efforts at austerity,” he said. “In the midst of this massive human crisis, it is morally unacceptable that billionaire hedge fund managers have been calling for even more austerity in Puerto Rico.”

He called for an independent audit of the island's debt and for the U.S. Federal Reserve System to use its emergency authority and allow for Puerto Rico to restructure its debt through bankruptcy court.

As for those bedrock proposals of his, such as a Medicare-for-all health care system and free public college tuition, Sanders told the crowd that he intended to expand those benefits to the territory as well. He also talked extensively about growing the renewable energy sector and cutting Puerto Rico’s dependence on fossil fuels.