The Dartmouth

Opinion

Peters: Why I Voted for Bernie

By William Peters | February 16, 2016

An unhappy electorate is a dangerous electorate — at least for establishment candidates. The Feb. 9 New Hampshire primary was won by two anti-establishment candidates — real estate mogul and reality television star Donald Trump and the democratic socialist Sen. Bernie Sanders. Sanders left New Hampshire with the most votes ever in the state’s primary, beating previous record holder, Sen. John McCain, and besting Democratic rival Hillary Clinton by 22 points. How is it in a state that gives President Barack Obama a 90 percent approval rating, a state with the lowest poverty and murders rates, where unemployment is hovering around 3.1 percent, two political outsiders walked away with such big wins? I can’t speak for the thousands of voters that turned out, but I can speak for myself and why I voted for Bernie.

Opinion

Peters: Sanders' Money Problem

By William Peters | January 25, 2016

The fiery rhetoric of Bernie Sanders has set ablaze the hearts of young voters across the country. The Vermont senator’s strategy of late has been to target the current campaign finance system, a product of the Supreme Court’s decision in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission, which affirms the rights of non-profits to spend on candidates’ behalf. Sanders points to current campaign finance structures as the cause of the majority of our nation’s ills. Sanders argues that if elected officials were not so focused on fundraising, they would be far better legislators. He wants to revolutionize our political system, eliminating the ability of big banks, Wall Street and Super PACs to “buy” candidates and elections. While this may be the best vision for our country, realistically, it is unlikely to happen anytime soon, even if Sanders were to be elected.

Opinion

Peters: Shameful State of the Nation

By William Peters | January 6, 2016

When Donald J. Trump announced that he would be running for president in June, I thought, “Well, this should be amusing.” I figured he’d join the rest of the anti-tax, anti-abortion, anti-regulatory, anti-immigration and other anti efforts in the run to the extreme right. In a presidential field that began with more than a dozen hopefuls, distinguishing one’s self has been paramount. Trump has done just that. Garnering support from conservatives, he has enjoyed a consistent lead over the other GOP candidates. This support is concerning.

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