Senator Bernie Sanders visited North Central College on Friday, Nov. 18, to express his outlook on America’s future following the recent election and to promote his new book “Our Revolution.”

Democratic party supporters and people of the Chicagoland area attended the event to rally behind Sanders and gain insight on his vision for America. During his speech, Sanders highlighted his opinion regarding the recent presidential election, the issues surrounding the division of Americans and how people can be further involved in the nation’s democratic process.

In light of the recent election, Sanders commented on the policies that will be enacted by President-elect Donald Trump in the upcoming years. Sanders assured his supporters that he has hope in Trump as the next president of the United States.

However, Sanders also vowed to monitor Trump’s promises to the American people to ensure their rights are not violated. Additionally, Sanders communicated what he sees as potential threats in Trump’s policies, including the building of a wall and the deportation of people illegally living in America.

“To the degree that Mr. Trump is serious about pursuing policies that improve the lives of working families in this country, I …am prepared to work with him,” Sanders said. “To the degree that he pursues racist, sexist, xenophobic and anti-environment policies, [I] will vigorously oppose him.”

To a further extent, Sanders continued to express the need for a “United” States of America. Sanders mentioned that the path to unity relies on the initiative of the people: if people want to cooperate, they will cooperate. However, Sanders also stressed upon the threat of stereotyping and how it inhibits the unity of America. Ultimately, Sanders hopes to see the American people work together to facilitate change.  

“We need to come together and get to know the individuals in America… [and have] serious discussion about serious issues,” Sanders said.

The discussion between the American people is inhibited by many factors. Sanders emphasized how varying socioeconomic levels and shifting demographics have begun to cause conflict.

According to Sanders, the difficulties between the diminishing middle class and the prosperous upper class has prompted heated dissent in the country. Sanders views the class wars as one of the major obstacles of the nation’s progress.

“If we focus on the real issues, there is nothing that can defeat us,” Sanders said.

Later, Sanders clarified that America’s oligarchic system keeps the privileged in power and the rest of the nation on the outside of the democratic process. Sanders often pointed toward Wall Street as the source of not only congressional corruption, but also the rise of the few, political families.

According to Sanders, the pain of working families can only cease by new regulations and the support of the press. This exercises the anecdote that Sanders often uses: change doesn’t start from the top to the bottom, it starts from the bottom and works its way up.

“When people lead, the leaders will follow,” Sanders said.  

To communicate the entirety of Sander’s “revolution,” he compiled his arguments and his campaign story into his new book entitled, “Our Revolution.” It accentuates the struggles of his previous presidential campaign and further informs the reader of the changes that he believes need to take place in America from this point forward.

Sanders believes in order for the nation to thrive, it is necessary that the American people get involved in the democratic process. In his eyes, a nation in which the people are actively participating in a form of federal decision-making, no matter how small, is one that is guaranteed success. By doing this, Sander’s also believes that the liberties of all people can and will be protected, thus building the strength of a nation.

“Get involved and take it further,” Sanders said. “Run for school board, run for student council… [because] democracy is not a spectator’s sport.”