Town Meeting with Sen. Sanders and German Ambassador Pete Wittig

[@danielsosa63]

I am a big Bernie fan. Greetings from germany.

[@grimreaper1383]

geht mir genauso aber bei uns wurde nur sehr wenig über ihn berichtet ich habe die nachrichten Kanäle immer wieder drauf hingewiesen aber Null Reaktion bin mal gespannt wie man 2020 versuchen wird ihn auszublenden :) das wird dann lustig wenn er Präsident wird :)

[@teardrop-in-a-fishbowl]

Me too!

[@larrypoorman2300]

Das wird nicht lustig. Es wird ganz ernst und es ist wünchsenwert nicht nur in den Staaten sondern auch in den ganzen Welt.

[@jengles2545]

I am big Bernie fan, I want to move to Germany.

[@Kareragirl]

@@jengles2545 Please do. Most things Bernie advocates, we already have. Don't let your corrupt politicians get in the way of living a life without having to worry about being in debt after going to the doctor.

[@CaptFoster5]

If Bernie Sanders runs in 2020, I'm gonna be running as a delegate for him in Illinois! As you can imagine, I'm #stillbernie

[@MEEPEES]

Do it DAVID WE NEED YOU and WE will support progressives in this state! Cannot wait and looking forward to you.

[@supremeleaderarmy9164]

I truly wish we had president trump as our leader in Canada

[@MEEPEES]

Have fun with that- AT LEAST you have MEDICARE for all in your country and you pay nothing for a shrink troll

[@LlyleHunter]

Lmao

[@H_A_L_7]

Mary Miskanis Haha 😂 #BernieAlways #Bern2020 All the best Wales 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 🇬🇧

[@ernyeeast]

This guy could very well be the next president.

[@toneart2414]

He's too old. We need someone under 50 years of age for a change...

[@UBJibbs]

age has nothing to do with it if the mind is sharp, FDR was in a wheelchair for goodness sake.

[@UBJibbs]

Karen , He won the primary here in Michigan also. :)

[@Meatsweats_o_O]

this guy NEEDS to be our next president.

[@coryryder9070]

he should be already I think trump and russia screwed him to get hillary because they knew trump would never ever beat bernie

[@tukanlatifi9635]

god bless Mr Sanders

[@skeptick6513]

My cousin has lived in Germany for over two decades and just relinquished her U.S. passport for a German one, thank you senator Sanders for this important duscussion, the truth of European style social welfare programs need to be understood by people in the U.S.

[@laura1000]

Bob Corrado Did she by any chance renounce her US citizenship because of FATCA and citizenship-based taxation?

[@skeptick6513]

Laura Snyder from what i know that was a big part of it, it wasnt about money per se but she makes decent wages, has a couple small rental properties and got sick of having to deal with irs year after year, plus she doesnt ever see herself living in the USA again.

[@HafdirTasare]

I think the red wraith is still hovering over the US, every time something like a "Socialist" sounding thing comes up, there is always this resistence against it because it sounds to much of communism for them. Not saying this is a fact, just my impression.

[@alinaitzal1173]

@@HafdirTasare it is kind of a fact, I grew up in redneck Arizona. my dad listened to Rush L. EVERYDAY. They use any WHIFF of "Socialism" to scare everyone. You CANNOT have a talk with them about the realities of their social civics knowledge, you would have a better chance arguing an uneducated southern minister out of his religion. Sadly a lot of folks simply will have to die off for the next generation. They are not learning. Nor do they want to. Just wait them out. Young people are WAY less likely to be republican. Next generation will take things seriously...

[@MrMarinus18]

Germany has plenty of problems of it's own.

[@ICUFREE2]

Bernie doing a great job trying to educate the masses! Thank you Bernie!

[@jonblaze4244]

Simon Kanner but at the same time they get paid 1000 a month you say? I'll bet it's cheaper to live there so your money goes a lot further.

[@jonblaze4244]

Simon Kanner Bernie wants a hybrid system. Take the best parts of other systems and try them.

[@obinator9065]

@@SimonKanner-si3it Apprentices in Germany are eligible for social programs and student residencies. What Sanders said is that Germany has been very successful with apprenticeships, as they’re valid alternatives to a University Degree, with similar salaries. Many people start at age 16 after finishing middle school. You’ll also go to a vocational college (be aware: That’s not the equivalent of a US college, it isn’t tertiary education!) from time to time. There are also higher-level apprenticeships that require a high school degree. You have healthcare and plenty of financial aid if your rent or other living costs are too high. I see it more as an equivalent to being a student. You’re not left alone by the state!

[@MrMarinus18]

It might have been a bit insensitive but it's nonetheless interesting that a big campaign argument of Hitler was actually against paid vacation which France had just introduced. I know the Nazi past is painful for Germans but I don't think it should be forgotten. Neo-nazism is on the rise and the German people let it happen the first time. Hitler never won a majority, never but there wasn't a single party that opposed him strongly enough. The German people should know more than anyone how fascists operate. Germany is at the center of the EU which has let to an era of greater peace and prosperity than Europe has ever known and has brought the many different people together. What they do is no longer just about Germany, it's about Europe as a whole.

[@H_A_L_7]

Gotta sleep will catch up soonest. Bernie the world see your courageous brave actions go Bernie go ❤️

[@Chenoaah]

As a German living in the States and being a Sanders supporter, this town hall was awesome. Could hear how the Ambassador nicely explained the social programs in Germany, that traditionally are considered human rights across all German population. How I miss my country. Thank you Senator Sanders for this Town meeting. Und Danke an den Botschafter Wittig.

[@obinator9065]

1:16:24 should also be mentioned that the tuition-free system of German universities aren’t exclusive to Germans. International students also don’t have to pay tuitions at (with the exception of the state of Badem-Württenberg) German universities.

[@gishgishgish]

Go Bernie, love to hear the crowd cheer as you walked in. No offense to Ambassador Wittig, I'm sure some of the cheers were for you too and thank you for joining the town hall.

[@sheiladodds4186]

A shout out to Bernie Sanders from BC Canada...I like the Bern....

[@dalefunk9337]

I agree this is a politician that I can actually respect!!!

[@alanhinze4994]

Hell we love Canada

[@socklessjoe1]

#Bernie2020

[@cryptojohnny3921]

GOOOOOO BERNIE !! WE ARE WITH YOU !! Bernie Sanders !! 2020 and 2024 ! A TRUE Humanitarian !

[@leslieeaston3383]

Honest, intelligent, courteous conversation. Bernie for President..

[@nyrubin]

People laughed at me after sanders lost. Now those same folks get to send their kids to college tuition free here in N.Y. thanks to our governor, and my man sanders 💪

[@susanwisner1681]

Stand up ! Fight back! Yes!

[@susanwisner1681]

No mention of Russia from Bernie so cut out the bashing. Bernie knows it’s the Oligarchy and not Russia.

[@zoomdaddyo]

BERNIE 2020!!! #MedicareForAll Now!!!

[@Baskerville1000]

Now THIS is important information. THESE are the real topics. Please more of that Bernie!

[@brentshowers741]

Bernie 2020! Sending love from Michigan. I think we do have a very unique idea about individualism but we also have a collectivist worldview as well otherwise why would someone go serve the country for their neighbors right to be free?whats more collectivist than that mindset and people don’t even realize it thinking about that concept

[@remixtapes9308]

Bernie2020!

[@tzvetamanolova4246]

Bernie is the US president that the world needs

[@jihadramboski2709]

yea, we really got fucked with a reptile. you can see bernie is human by hissloach. GOOOOOO BERNIE.

[@0xyzabcx0]

Thank you President Sanders.

[@Fleshcut]

As a german, I would love to just have an open mic night with people from Alabama or some other very conservative state, where I just answer their questions honestly.

[@guignolfest]

Thank you, Senator.

[@cortesthehamster6899]

"Sticks and stones may break my bones but in Germany that's not much of a financial burden"

[@acidsuga]

i LOVE u BERNIE!! thank u 4 bringing a sane voice during these unfortunate days in America. can't wait 4 u 2 come back to San Francisco, California/bay area!! #Bernie2020 xxo

[@Jstoney127]

German Ambassador: "Yes, there is only a $250 administrative fee per semester!" Vermont Citizen: "That's not even enough for a textbook (in the USA)!"

[@MrN0nex]

at my Uni it was actually only 120€ so it varies alittle and ive never had to buy a textbook, the University library had stacks of all the needed books

[@obinator9065]

Btw a part of those fees is for a public transport ticket that’ll get you around the entire state. The other part is for the student council (and other student initiatives), who’ll host events with that money such that students get to know each other etc (drinking nights…)

[@lindadavis5668]

We love the BERN and what he stands for. Love your philosophies and plans to incorporate such.

[@Andrei2patrU]

cheers to our ambassador. You can see he's trying very hard to remain apolitical and not to say remarks that would be considered very inflammatory in the US. Please remember, he needs to go to work tomorrow, and that means dealing with the wh and congress. PS: clear answers about policy (especially the F35 question) are very hard to give from his position

[@TheBlazersfan22]

lets go bernie! lets go bernie! lets go bernie! Look at the smart people in the room. way to many smart people.

[@justgivemethetruth]

I love Bernie ... but America is a messed up place. Why in a country of about 320-350 million people do we only have ONE Bernie Sanders? We should have tens of thousands of guys like Bernie in and out of the government working to sustain and grow the middle class and keep the elites in check.

[@roseliekane1060]

The woman with relatives in Germany (50 minutes in) asking about the "collective" municipalities. Smaller towns and villages bound together for administrative purposes are called "Gemeinden" (= community ) or "Landkreise" (=towns within a certain radius of one another). Back in the day every village, every town, etc. had a mayor, a council and town / village hall "office" with adminstrator(s). For the sake of cost reduction and efficiency the individual village or town joined up into one administrative body with one mayor, one council to represent all in the "community". If before you went to the community office in your town / village to register the birth of your child, get a death certificate for your deceased grandmother, wanted to get married...etc. Now you might have to walk or drive or take the bus or ride your bicycle to the neighboring town, wherever that "Gemeindeverwaltung" may be. Simply, cutting cost of local adminstration; a form of administrative "districting" for cost efficiency.

[@yurona5155]

I was just about to write essentially the same comment. The "collective" part is most likely an artifact of translating the term "Samtgemeinde" (where "Samt-" loosely translates to "collective" and refers to a collective of formerly independent municipalities).

[@lauriebolles3149]

Just to lighten things up a bit. Bernie reminds me of Yoda, a being of great wisdom and drive. A true leader is there for those they dedicate their energy too. Senator Sanders is here to open our minds and to remind us that this Nation is runned by the people. 'We the People' elected those fellow citizens to help run our government and 'We the People' can fire them. Please become aware of your local government and even run for office. It's not a big mystery. Have a nice day and follow your bliss.

[@wooyyeah]

Laurie Bolles Bernie reminds me of Jesus. A Jew who use to be a carpenter, trying to help the poor and the masses, fighting against the corrupted establishment and big money interests. .......and who also got betrayed by people from his own flock (Judas/Hill**y). I hope the last part of the story won't turn out the same.

[@lauriebolles3149]

wooyyeah it's funny that you should mention Jesus, I made that analogy during the campaign. I'm a devote Atheist but have been interested in reincarnation, only because, in my 64 years, I have met some sisters and brothers who seem to have the wisdom of the ages were so many others remind me of toddlers (there are now 7 billion plus of us). If Jesus was a real person and reincarnation is a spiritual reality, who knows how many times that unique spirit has returned in human form. Bernie's a good possibility but I think it's Jane Goodall. Now please know I would defend anyone's right to the death to pursue their unique spiritual path. Please anyone joining in on the conversation, don't go all 'Holier Than Thou' we're just having some fun here. Wooyyeah have a nice day and follow your bliss.

[@wooyyeah]

Laurie Bolles hahaha I'm an atheist too. I was just saying the bizarre similarities between Bernie and Jesus. Many people were saying it during the campaign. Peace. You have a nice day as well.

[@chekchamon]

Woooooo Hooooooo from Northern Ireland

[@dulynoted2427]

chekchamon 👍🏼👋🏼

[@peterjansen4826]

A higher resolution is recommended, also because KZbin compresses the sound even more with a lower resolution. It might seem superficial but with a better audio and video quality more people might listen to what you've got to say, more people should listen to Bernie Sanders.

[@MisterTrotts]

#BernieWouldveWon. That applause says it all.

[@lokee7]

Great dialogue! My only disappointment: The refugee crisis. We must not tip-toe around the real reasons for this tragedy. We must BOLDLY admit and confront the fact that US's illegal interventionist and regime-change policies for at least 50 years, Republican AND Democrat, have been a major contributor to upheaval in the Middle East, Africa, Latin America and other countries. It is nothing short of criminal, and is directly linked to the uprising of terrorist groups. US's 800-1000+ military bases in just about every country are mostly unwanted and hugely provocative. (How would US react if just about any country lined our borders with military bases?!) US imperialism creates refugees. More than 50 years ago, Eisenhower warned of the Deep State: "In the councils of government, we must guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by the military-industrial complex. The potential for the disastrous rise of misplaced power exists and will persist. We must never let the weight of this combination endanger our liberties or democratic processes. We should take nothing for granted." US spends more on its military interventions (i.e. invasions) than the next 8 countries - China, Saudi Arabia, Russia, United Kingdom, India, France, and Japan - combined. No wonder politicians claim we "can't afford" health care, education, etc. (When in fact we can afford it...)

[@reelreeler8778]

thank you!

[@julierozo]

Thank you to both Sanders and Wittig. But private medical insurance most definitely does give an advantage in treatment, let's keep to facts here.

[@AcmePotatoPackingPocatello]

USA Health-care is actually 9,600 yearly average. Germany Healthcare 3,700 yearly average. The difference is government buys drugs at wholesale prices for the Citizen.

[@martinbruhn5274]

Well, it is more than that. Just recently, yearly report came out, according to that private insurance companies in Gemany use a larger share of their spending for administration, risk assessment, advertisement,... , making the operations of private insurances generally more inefficient, because public insurance companies don't have that (they act as companies in competition, but they are public institutions, without running for profit), safe for administration, although, they seem to be able to better streamline their structures, making them more efficient. So, public healthcare companies in Germany, tend to have significantly more efficient operations and use of their ressources.

[@susanwisner1681]

BERNIE 2020!

[@julierozo]

To the lady at 1hr20mins: good questions!!!

[@L2.Lagrange]

Hey Bernie you doing ok? I noticed you holding on to the chair for some support in the beginning. It easily could have been mindless waiting like everybody does. Hope your well, Mr.TheBern! I can't wait to volunteer for a 2020 run

[@musicg1696]

Get the billionaires out of our elections

[@darthbriboy]

Remember everyone this man could have been our president. Imagine all the international respect we be getting right now if he were president

[@AcmePotatoPackingPocatello]

Looking forward to Q & A

[@runtochrist1975]

Our educational system is not skilled curriculum either. We need to revamp everything and make education free.

[@reelreeler8778]

please consider having closed captions for your KZbin videos...it helps me if i can also read the text

[@mycheledee]

If you click on the CC in the bottom right corner of the video, you'll get captions. They usually don't have them if it's live.

[@peacedove9513]

PLEASE BEAM ME UP TO LIVE IN A BERNIE WORLD

[@65minimom]

peace dove, try it yourself by getting off your butt to join the movement

[@peacedove9513]

Sandy I've been marching since Oglethorpe highway MLK I've worked with Bernie & Jesse on the Rainbow colission I'm now marching Woman's March ,Stand with STANDING ROCK,march for the SB562 BILL ON MEDICARE FOR ALL..at 70 years of age I walk 2 miles a day then go to silver sneakers classes for 2 hrs and I still want to live in a BERNIE WORLD⚫

[@GrandmaCathy]

He's a diplomat. He's being diplomatic.

[@notest396]

In Germany there are two boards: management board called a Vorstand and a supervisory board. Up to 50% of the supervisory board are employee representatives. Stakeholders retain the majority and could stuff the management board with their picks by bare majorities if multiple rounds of votes failed to get a two-third majority.

[@mrsg5947]

👌love Bernies messages so far ...but the Democratic Party is over broken rotten to the core. we break 2 parties like glass, shatter Into many Parties many choices! Free

[@VickiBee]

I am. I live with a German family. Unfortunately one who, two of its members were killed by Allied Forces in WWII; the person I live with is the youngest in his family, born in 1983. His dad was born in 1945, a month before the bombing of Dresden. His dad's mother (the guy's biological Oma) and twin sister died in the bombing on February 14, 1945. There's a memorial at a cemetery in Dresden, whose name I don't recall. I think this guy was given a leave to go to it but he came back early and went to work anyway. His kids were taken out of school for it. He is geschieden but both his kids went to the memorial trip.

[@justgivemethetruth]

That there is Presidential material ! Go Bernie ! What is in the White House now is clown material, criminal clown.

[@RodesLaw]

#SandersGabbard2020

[@mattwalker7604]

Our job is to tell every corporation in this country pay your workers a living wage. We are not going to subsidize you. Hindsight is 2020!

[@kuriadams9138]

Trouble forming a coalition government for 4 months is a hell of lot better than the nearly 4yrs of a non-functioning government that we had in the US.

[@HafdirTasare]

Bernie Sanders is the closest to a decent democratic politician by german standards.

[@hannovonbahrenfeld5986]

Bei uns wäre er einfach ein linker in der SPD....in den USA ist er die Ausnahme.

[@just2coolkk]

Ich denke besonders nach Trump braucht es mal einen Sozialdemokrat in den USA. Auch wenns nur 4 Jahre ist um in 2019 oder 2020 mal anzukommen. Die leben da alle so hinter dem Berg das es schon sehr peinlich ist. Wie würde die Welt auf die USA sehen wenn es Hollywood nicht geben würde.

[@elbohemio21]

As a German citizen and law student I can tell the man was not well prepared and the German lady in the audience was right in her criticism of the neoliberalization of Germany. Nonetheless, Bernie is right in that Germany is not the most progressive nation. Their social programs are the norm even in much poorer countries.

[@norgler584]

Please take notice.

[@homighadially3272]

Was most enlightened by the detailed speech of Sen Sanders reminding what USA did in 1962 during the Cuban Missile Crisis.... Exactly what Russia is doing today

[@homighadially3272]

Poor Bernie unfortunately will never be allowed to stand up to the cartels of Oil, Pharma, & Defense Equipment of the USA

[@No44778]

Sad to see what kind of president the US could have had

[@timothyhammer6154]

If Bernie runs 2020 I will quit my job and help his cause or run for any office as an independent in support of many of his ideas. I'm in Arkansas. Anyone intrested message back and we can face book.

[@doublepownage7571]

People who hate bernie are lost causes, even if u dont agree with bernie, hes the type u still respect. Bernie fights with ideas, not lies and typical bull...

[@HafdirTasare]

The US Gave germany democracy, we have done rather well in the last 75 years, now we would like to show you what we archived and show you how you can have this too. It would be one of our countries greatest archivement if the US came to adapt some of this, i hope for our friends overseas to overcome their current problems and emerge like the phoenix from ths ash once again.

[@obinator9065]

Earlier German democracy established itself in 1848 (and also the origin of the colours of the German flag). It laid the foundation for any German democracy and even though Chancellor Bismarck wasn’t a friend of it, he encouraged a democracy because he knew that Germans wanted this and it was needed for the newly formed Germany in 1871. It mostly vanished after he wasn’t the chancellor anymore but Germany once again became a democracy in 1919 with the Weimarer Republic. In the same year voting was legalised for women. The US certainly had an impact on modern German democracy, but we had it for many years prior.

[@HafdirTasare]

@@obinator9065 well, it surely was some form of democracy, but if you look into it, a very crude one. Compared to today, it lacked a lot of what we define our democracy by today (Not the healthcare though... we held that very deer to our heart from the moment it was developed)

[@bethanyhunt2704]

America is NOT the only country to have created such a harmonious, multicultural country! Australia is equally so!!

[@HafdirTasare]

Is that so? I thought Australia was mainly colonized by the brits? I know there are for example german communities in Australia, but i would not compare it to the diversity in the US from the base of my current knowledge.

[@MrMarinus18]

27:05 I wouldn't call him "enlightened" more like ruthless. For Bismark worker benefits was actually just another means of control.

[@lao5610]

I know the initial purpose of the talk was to talk about trade or apprenticeship programs available to students in Germany. Unfortunately, it’s impossible in America due to the separation of students based on the testing system in place in Germany when they are in they are in their early teens. I visited one of these schools when I was studying at my friends Gymnasium for a few months and they had an actual car being built in the lobby by high school students. It will never happen in America though because people will never accept dividing students up in 9th grade to go to separate schools based on standardized test scores and interest/aptitude of students at that time. Glad it works for them though.

[@truthseeker2648]

Bernie = solutions to all of our (USA) issues!

[@HafdirTasare]

It's always so unsatisfying to listen to the embassador talk about a political topic... as an embassador he is not allowed to take sides and make political statments... he might have a far more meaningful personal oppinions... but he can not say them.

[@Polish_Hammer1987]

I didn't know Diane Lane was on Bernies staff 😊

[@agentorange81]

This fight has taken huge toll because the closer it is the harder its pushed back and I'm afraid corporations ,corporate politicians and rich in general have been getting more carefree how they look to us its blatant , and hits gonna be harder and elections in between to stall

[@jenwendy7]

Bernie always out there doing the work. Thus should have a million views! 🔥 ❤

[@Victor-tl4dk]

I think Bernie is as moderate as the president, but cannot act that way because no one would hear him otherwise and the compromises made would be way too useless.

[@Ziontrainism]

1:10 Sen. Sanders: "You hear that, my little man? You'll have to wait!"

[@gypsydragongal]

@1:09:55 I feel sorry for the fella the crowd was being really mean.

[@gypsydragongal]

Corporate Responsibility and Taxpayer Protection Act of 2017

[@Polish_Hammer1987]

STEP 1: ALL Justice Democrats must win this year STEP 2: BERNIE must win in 2020 STEP 3: If they screw Bernie out of the presidency Again ............REVOLUTION!

[@dencitymccartney2485]

Welcome to the rule of FCC.

[@xyzsame4081]

28:46 - the wealthy in the US surprisingly !! all "chose" to have insurance - and good one (and they are the only people who could afford to take a gamble and to have no or insufficient insurance). And you bet the friend of the embassador for sure has very good insurance - and just does not like to have to "subsidize" the lower income people with his taxes. Politics means solving problems that a lot of people have. if you take 10,000 or 100,000 people and you know their age and gender (and the group has not been cherry-picked) you can run the numbers: how many heart attacks, cancer, skin rashes, average visits with the doctor, dental costs, etc. etc. And the poeple who have insufficient insurance do not make a voluntary of informed CHOICE (their employer does not offer it, or they are not able to spare the money). Ted Cruz spoke about the group of young men who maybe would like to "chose" not to have insurance or to have a high deductible. Humans are notoriously bad with assessing risks and integrating the insights of statistics - we are wired to see life optimistically as long as things seem to be O.K. - that's a survival of the species thing. Back in the day life was short, often dangerous, the next day could bring disaster. And people could not really do much to protect themselves. Worrying a lot would have reduced their chances of survival even more - draining their energy and making them LESS able to cope. And of all groups in the population young men are prone to be the most optimistic (even slightly maniac). If you are supposed to hunt down the mammoth you better have the mindset of being a little bit too optimistic. Else you never muster the energy and courage to do that. We do not leave it to the discretion of folks if they THINK they still can drive if they had a drink or a few too much. Sure, they all want to come home safe, and no one wants to cause an accident and harm other people, or wreck the car. Still people underestimate the real risk, overestimate their own capacity to cope - thus we see it fit to ESTABLISH SOME RULES. Or when giving out loans. The potential buyers of a home may be very optimistic about financing it. And then there are the PROFESSIONALS of the bank - for them it is not the emotionally charged "our first home" issue. For them it is routine, they have seen a lot and have more experience. And on them is the burden to grant or deny the loan. That legal requirement is valid in Germany, it was criminally undermined by the US banks and the regulators looked the other way in the build-up of the Great Financial Crisis. The professionals that did the appraisals for the bank loans complained in an open letter that the banks pressured/blackmailed them to give too high estimates - else they would not be hired anymore. This is a sure sign of fraudulent intent - well the authorities colluded with the banksters and ignored the warning sign. The principle is that we live in a multi-level, highly complicated, interconnected, highly diversified and specialized society - and we do not leave all decisions to the discretion of individuals.

[@craigrik2699]

Do the toilet admin brief before the guests come on???

[@justgivemethetruth]

58:49 - Bernie's take on Donald Trump and the Republicans.

[@DougGrinbergs]

Audio level started out ok but dropped appreciably a few minutes in. (:-(

[@morninboy]

It has been so sad to see that the most popular political figure amongst the working class in American politics was not rewarded with its highest position. The Democrats proved themselves to be servants to their financial backers and we the people were not served by the Democratic party. The Dem's also lost out on attracting an influential part of the Republican vote.

[@DietrichSchulten]

The health insurance costs in Germany are paid by the employers and employees, subsidiarized by tax money. The governments sets the percentage of your gross income which is deducted from the payment, and currently that is at 14.6%, 7.3% of which is paid by the employer. All public insurers add an additional fee, currently up to 1.7% depending on their risk structure. Health insurance is mandatory. If you lose your job, the unemployment insurance will pay for a limited time. After that, you become eligible for payments by public social security only if you have nothing left, i.e. you first have to sell your life insurance including your pension plan, your house, your valuable belongings, whatever, before they help you. The insurers do not pay for all your needs, if you are going to be divorced you have to pay for your children under certain circumstances, the list goes on. Health insurance is not free and a really complicated matter here.

[@buttersky4451]

Childcare is only free in Berlin, in the rest of the country you have to pay for it...bit embarrassed of my ambassador.

[@hans-jurgenoberfeld343]

Who told them this nonsense.

[@xyzsame4081]

28:00 LURING the LOWER INCOME folks into the idea that they will deal LATER with the costs of healthcare which will hit some of them for SURE is irresponsible. Those "later" costs cannot be calculated, they will manifest in not covered procedures, or those low income folks will not get the same quality care (thus worse outcomes or more deaths), extra financial stress when you already have health issues. Or high deductibles. Low(er) income poeple need predictable - completely predictable - costs. And that means if they have to pay for insurance at all (certain groups in the European systems are covered for free) it is the monthly payment or the deduction from the wage - and than everything is covered (some minor co-payments maybe - but nothing that really matters or would cause financial troubles). And there is no financial incentive for the providers to DENY CARE (they also do not have the expensive administration that would be necessary to have a system that makes differences between the patients). That payment or contribution to the (usually non-profit) insurance is a % of the wage or it depends on your income - so it is AFFORDABLE. But since even reasonably priced non-profit healthcare is expensive - not as outrageously expensive in the US - but still ..... that means the low income people and people on minimum wages will need some help. Either in form of subsidies or the systems are getting extra tax funding since the funding by the wage deductions will not be sufficient. With high deductibles and treatment denied when you need it (LATER and not foreseeable for the individuals) politicians weasel out of the question how to finance relatively expensive modern healthcare for EVERYONE (even low income people). They kick the can down the road. There is a political advantage to having a monthly, completely predictable payment - and then having FULL COVERAGE no matter the health issue. either everyone (incl. people with a better income) or no one gets certain treatments. The specialized cancer treatment is either covered for everyone or no one. The x-ray or magnetresonance (just to make sure) is either covered or not. That means if treatments and procedures are denied that are beneficial for recovery or to avoid potential damage - the whole country would revolt. In the U.S. it is DIVIDE AND CONQUER. Some get all covered, some a part - and no one really knows for sure unless they are in the middle of a costly health situation. With exception of the people who have an expensive plan or have a company plan from a large company (they usually have some backup - their employer will not tolerate their people being bullshitted). And you do not know what you get - until you desperately need help. Like a young woman who (under Obamamcare) was denied cancer treatement. When getting the contract she had not informed the insurance company about a "preexisting condition" - she had acne treatment as teenager and did not even think that this was something to mention - and that was later the PRETEXT to deny cancer treatment. That is bullshit of course. the insurance company (for profit ! means it is profitable to deny as much treatment as possible) attempted to weasel out of paying for a costly treatment. Sure one can hire a lawyer. So additionally to paying for cancer treatment out of pocket there are also the costs for the lawsuit AND the stress on top of that.

[@marahaqq1011]

#BernieSandersForPresident2020FEELTHEBERN2020

[@janluch782]

Bernie Sanders says the right things, but inviting the German ambassador was probably not a great idea. As a diplomat he is not really in a position to start criticizing US policies.

[@velanad.2669]

jan luch You don't have to be in a "position" to criticize politics. If a citizen believes that there is something wrong with government policies, he/she has every right to criticize it regardless of "position"...

[@obinator9065]

Did he criticise US policies tho? He talked about the problems of German politics. Talking about your home country is also what an ambassador is supposed to do.

[@judithferraris]

Audio is too low

[@toneart2414]

Why can't everyone just ask their question, but not spew their opinions? It's a waste of our time as well as Mr. Bernie's and Herr Wittig's time. Just get to the point with a heart felt question ..and don't have an agenda....

[@mrgruust8679]

health insurance in Germany isn't financed by taxes, it's financed by contributions on top. In general, Germany operates much like China: hurt the consumer to support the industries, net result is an export surplus - pretty much as if it had import tariffs. All the non-carbon electricity stuff is financed by exorbitant consumer electricity prices. Effect of worker unions on boards of companies: wages failing to rise with productivity gains - HE DIDN'T TELL YOU THAT! And using Germany as the poster boy for social welfare... omg... they have 1-EURO (literally ONE per hour!) Jobs which turn the social welfare state into an industry welfare state because the state pays the rest the worker needs to suatain himself such that his exploitation can continue..... the central culprit is imperialism. Germany perpetrates economic imperialism, the US a somewhat more militaristic form. In both cases the normal people get plundered to benefit big interests. Germany fights a war against its jobless, forcing them to apply for 100s of jobs even in cases where it's totally useless instead of letting them go to retraining programs and cutting their "welfare" where someone is not 100% compliant, ie to levels below minimum living costs at which social welfare is fixed. If you want to know the real situation of social welfare in Germany, look at the SPD election results. They are at historic lows - IMHO because they fail to acknowledge and counteract the consequences of global, open markets. This ambassador is painting a pretty face on a pig.

[@acb7963]

Views are to low. People need to see this

[@Victor-tl4dk]

33:05 phasing out nuclear energy is actually extremely dumb and puts Germany on the path of similar to California (dumb policies that don't make sense.)

[@jmitterii2]

Individualistic society? Well, our old tradition was slavery, so I think not. Ben Franklin a founding father of the nation long prior brought notions of libraries, workshops, fire departments, etc. to the largest towns. Manifest destiny was fueled by massive land give aways as a homestead. Our railroad system was subsidized by the government. Later, the electrical grid and telephone system subsidized by our government. Our interstate freeway system was inspired by Germany's Autobahn. That bogus individualism is such utter nonsense; if that were the case we wouldn't have cities, public education, at least some laws supporting unions, at least a 40 hour work week, we wouldn't have over 100 large cities throughout our country. If we were some hair brain individualistic society we would look more like central Asia in shit stain backwaters of Afghanistan or the other stan countries. Fucking wild west free for all wasteland shit holes. And the US was a shit hole during the 1800's in the west. IT was the wild west. But that was before the territories became states, and before cities developed. Many small towns, some of them ghost towns, the people formed banks, and without actual certified police force, when such banks were robbed they would form a passe to go after the robbers because that was all the town's peoples' money the robbers took off with. That type of individualism? The lawlessness ended fairly quickly, whether initially by robber baron ranchers with their hired men (thugs) and appointed sheriffs, or town people elected mayor and sheriffs to later to actual elected representatives of that state from mayor, governor, judges, and legislative representatives of the state. I honestly haven't a clue what the fuck this fantasized individualism even means? Do you watch advertisements for charities for various starving people in Africa, slums in Central or South America or slums in India where they can't even organize to build proper sewer systems and think they're celebrating wonderful individualism, and think darn look at their wonderful individualism! And actually Germany's taxes are about the same individuals or families pay, in fact with their deductions for children its less than ours for income earners taxable income of $75K individual or less and married/joint $125K in US dollars taxable dollars rates are lower in Germany. Its income earners above those amounts that see higher higher taxes than our higher income earners. Basically, the elites their pay a higher rate than ours. Oh no. 15% of the upper crust pay a bit more in taxes, they might not afford 5 houses, instead they'll just need to get by with 2 or 3 houses.

[@MisterTrotts]

Im not sure this guy understands what 'populism' is. Not to insult his intelligence, but populism is literally 'support for the concerns of ordinary people.' that is the core of democracy. Populism isn't new, and it isn't dangerous, it is the resurgence of the collective will of the people, and it is about damn time, at least here in america.

[@bladdnun3016]

There is populism and there's demagoguery, but there should perhaps be a third word for selfishly motivated politics that appeal to the uneducated or misinformed masses, yet without the drive for explicit hatred and violence that is associated with demagoguery. This kind of politics is one of the most important instruments of the ruling class, but it is a double-edged sword as it is easily co-opted by the far right. At least here in Germany, when the word populism (Populismus) is used in the mainstream media, it may refer to any of these. This makes it possible to discredit left-wing populism by associating it with right-wing hate speech. It also creates one of these diffuse words that isn't well understood and can therefore be interpreted and coaxed into whatever shape is desired. The highly recommended channel 'What Is Politics' has coined the term 'worbs' for these (seriously, watch that channel if you haven't, it should be right up your alley).

[@christopherreed2694]

We helped Russia too 🇷🇺 😀 I was only 6 years old but I remember the United States giveing a collapse soviet union aid I remember

[@knowyourself22]

Unfortunately the ambassador has the "Bueler".... "Bueler" effect. Wow.

[@prieten49]

Germany! What a country! Something that was not mentioned regarding "free university education" is that only those high school students who have VERY GOOD GRADES and who were on an "academic track" (went to special high schools called gymnasiums) are eligible to go to the public universities. Other students who showed less "academic potential" were sent to less rigorous junior high and high schools and end up in apprenticeship training programs. I'm not knocking that, but try to imagine implementing a system like that in the USA! Imagine trying to separate school children into "academic" and "apprenticeship" tracks already in junior high school! You would get screams of bloody murder from the parents of those kids not put on the academic track. No, the American system of going to university is basically EVERYONE who has completed high school can go to university somewhere, also allocated somewhat by academic record, but mainly allocated by ABILITY TO PAY. American students who make it to top universities, but even lesser ones, end up with mountains of student loan debt because the better universities know they can charge whatever they want. So a big "woah" to anyone who thinks the Germans will pay for everyone to go to university. The private universities in Germany are notorious for being expensive and accepting "less academically-inclined" students. Mainly lazy rich kids go to those.

[@k7u5r8t4]

Stuart M Public funded education for all does not mean, that EVERYBODY has to go through a mostly academical university education. In Germany they have a widespread respect for ingeneering and other more "practical" educations. Many start their relation to work-places, while still going to school part of the week. The combination of academical and practical education is a large part of the success, that Germany has.

[@prieten49]

Ich stimme absolut überein. Ich wollte nicht sagen, dass eine Lehre schlecht sei, nur dass die Amis ALLE zur Universität gehen wollen. Das Handwerk wird furchtbar vernachlässigt hier in den Staaten.

[@christopherreed2694]

In America government pays 30,000 for college the student pays 30,000 ! in Germany 🇩🇪 government 100 percent of college 🙄