Bernie Sanders on Friday spoke to an uncharacteristically small crowd of senior citizens, including some who appeared to doze off during his speech.
Sanders was at a senior activity center in Manchester, N.H., and spoke to no more than 15 people about his plans to expand Social Security, and lower the cost of prescription drugs. There were empty seats in the front row, a far cry from the usual crowds Sanders faces, which can be as large as 20,000.
The Democratic candidate rejected the Republican argument that Social Security needs to be cut, and said, “Social Security today has $8 billion in the trust fund that can pay out every benefit to every American.”
“Now, if we want to extend the life of Social Security or another 50 years, say until 2065, and we want to expand benefits to all low income seniors, what is the best way to do this?” he asked. “We scrap the cap.”
Sanders has proposed “scrap the cap” legislation, which would make high income earners pay Social Security taxes on the entirety of their income, not just the first $110,110 as they do under current law.
“Every senior in this country should be able to live in security and dignity,” he said.
Sanders also spoke passionately about the rise of the price of prescription drugs in the United States, and concluded that the United States should regulate the cost of prescription drugs.
“We should not have to go to Canada to buy drugs, Sanders said. “The reason we have the highest prices in that we have no legislation preventing drug companies from doubling the price.”
