Bernie Drops Truth Bomb On Liberty University Crowd: GOP Cares About Fetuses But Not Children

[Purveyor]

In a speech at private Christian college Liberty University on Monday, Democratic candidate for president Sen. Bernie Sanders said that the Republican Party’s budget priorities demonstrate that while they say they want to protect unborn children, they take money away from mothers and children and give tax breaks to the wealthiest Americans.

He was responding to a question from a Liberty student who said, “Sen. Sanders, you have talked in your campaign about how it is immoral to protect the billionaire class at the expense of the most vulnerable in society — children. A majority of Christians would agree with you, but would also go further and say that children in the womb need our protection even more. How do you reconcile the two in your mind?”

“I understand that,” Sanders said, “but I do also understand this is an area where we disagree. I do understand and I do believe that it is improper for the United States government or for state government to tell every woman in this country the very painful and difficult choice that she has to make on that issue.”

“And I honestly don’t want to be too provocative here, but very often conservatives say, ‘Well, you know, get the government out of my life!'” he went on. “I don’t want the government telling me what to do.”

“But on this very sensitive issue on which this nation is divided,” Sanders said, “but my view is I respect absolutely a family that says, ‘No, we are not going to have an abortion,’ I understand that, I respect that. But I would hope that other people will respect the very painful and difficult choice that many women feel they have to make and don’t want the government telling them what to do.”

more...

http://www.rawstory.com/2015/09/bernie-sanders-drops-truth-bomb-on-liberty-university-crowd-gop-cares-about-fetuses-but-not-children/

[LondonReign2]

1. When is Bernie going to stop this pandering?!??!?

In case anyone needs it

[virtualobserver]

2. yep, he's no pander bear

[CentralMass]

3. So how was he received ? Did it go well ?

[reformist2]

5. A lot of tepid, hesitant applause, with some unexpected bursts of enthusiasm. It was interesting!

My takeaway is that the students and whoever else attended were grateful that Bernie agreed to speak. They clearly weren't approving of his views on abortion and gay rights, but on the financial issues you got the sense they agreed, but they weren't sure if they had permission to applaud. It's like they wanted to agree with Bernie, but there's was nothing in the Bible that told them it was OK, so they weren't sure what to do.

[olegramps]

9. Don't be sure that many of those students don't absolutely condemn same sex marriage and abortion.

[SamKnause]

6. It went extremely well.

Thunderous applause and a standing ovation.

The question and answer session also received applause.

I heard several you tubers mention they were surprised by the reactions.

The scale was definitely tipped toward agreement in a big way.

It was a pleasant surprise and gives me some hope.

Someone posted that the students were not forced to attend, or punished

for not attending.

[reformist2]

4. A candidate reaching out to the other side of the spectrum during the primary, it's unheard of!!

Another reason Bernie is a one-of-a-kind.

[NonMetro]

7. Is Liberty University Even A Real "University"?

They teach creationism and that the earth is 6,000 years old. Sanders can be applauded for going there, but really, how many votes is it going to get for him? Are there even any Democrats there?

[Angry Dragon]

8. What difference does it make if he gets no votes there??

It is more important that they listened and asked questions.
How else are we going to solve our problems if we do not listen to each other??

[nilram]

11. Here's info on their accreditation

http://www.liberty.edu/aboutliberty/index.cfm?PID=7650

Besides their religious studies, they offer degrees in engineering, accounting, nursing, and other more reality-based subjects. Those specialities are also accredited by more specialized agencies.

Surprised me, I thought it was mostly a religious school.

[wolfie001]

10. This is someone going into the Lion's den!

Very brave of Sen. Sanders!

[AzDar]

12. He is just AWESOME. Spot-on, and honest.

[Skittles]

13. thanking Senator Sanders

this should be emphasized over and over and over - it actually goes further than that - repukes are more anti-women than they are pro-fetus

[grntuscarora]

14. A great, honest response to a difficult question.

Also, an honest, but carefully and politely worded question. This is what Q and A's are supposed to be like.

[beam me up scottie]

15. OH HELL YEAH!

Call out those hypocrites in their own house!

You go Bernie.

[Scruffy1]

16. I think it is big mistake not to speak to these people.

As a life long agnostic, I wouldn't paint all people of faith with the same brush. I live around some great Christians and Muslims. To judge the flock by the what a few demagogues espouse is just wrong. I've even known some truly nice fundamentalists. To assume
that all of these voters will always vote one way or another based on dogma is clearly wrong. Most are workers and have the same problems as the rest of us and I applaud Bernie speaking to them. It sure beats the mandatory "go to church thing" that all Presidential candidates comply with. I always found this hilarious.

A Catholic friend and neighbor once told me he considers all church officials "politicians" and most members ignore them. Makes sense when you consider about 90% of Catholics practice birth control. My mother was one of the most read people I have ever known,
taught Sunday School for forty years, was married to a professed atheist for forty years, and one of the most progressive persons I have known.

I once spent about a year researching fundamentalism for a proposed book, but shelved the idea because by and large the people were very nice. I can't say as much for their "politicians". Also I found that there is great confusion about the "prosperity doctrine" which seems to have sneaked in to justify some who get rich by espousing it, but in general the regular preachers despise TV preachers both because they don't actually do pastoral ministry, and eat into the offering.

Of course, for me, I don't think we'll ever have a sane government as long as candidates have to declare they believe in the "Sky God" in order to get elected. I guess it ain't enough in America to go by facts, cause and effect and rationality.

[Enthusiast]

17. Just when I thought I couldn't be any more impressed with Senator Sanders. I was wrong. Again.