Mr. Tan
You have followed Bernie Sander's campaign quite closely. Can you help to address these issues?
1) Is Bernie Sanders too old to run for President? Can he last 4 or 8 years?
2) Can he achieve his goals without the support of Congress that is dominated by Republicans?
3) Will his changes (for healthcare, education, economy and trade) be too disruptive?
4) Will his Presidency be good or bad for Singapore?
My reply
1) Is Bernie Sanders too old to run for President? Can he last 4 or 8 years?
Bernie Sanders is 74 years old. Donald Trump is 69 years. Hillary Clinton is 68 years old. Their ages are not too far apart. The front runners for this election are "old" candidates.
Bernie Sanders is more energetic than Hillary Clinton. He is able to give many more speeches at rallies than Clinton. When he was young, he was an athlete. So, Bernie Sanders health and fitness is not an issue.
2) Can he achieve his goals without the support of Congress that is dominated by Republicans?
Bernie Sanders has a chance to be elected as President if he is nominated by the Democratic Party. He will be able to get large number of young voters and older voters who are voted for the first time. He will attract the support of voters who are Independent. These new voters are likely to vote for Democrats into the House of Representatives and the Senate.
He expect the Senate will be controlled by Democrats. He is not sure about the House, but there is a good chance that it can also be controlled by the Democrats.
He has a strategy if the House and Senate obstructs his goal. He will get millions of voters out into the streets in support of his proposed legislation. The legislators will have to take heed of the popular mood. This is his "political revolution".
3) Will his changes (for healthcare, education, economy and trade) be too disruptive?
He will find a way to introduce them in stages, over a period of years, to reduce the disruption to the economy and the lives of the people. The people will have to adapt to the changed circumstances, but the overall results will benefit the people and give them a better standard of living.
When the income is distributed more fairly and the ordinary people get jobs with higher income, they will be able to spend. The economy will grow.
4) Will his Presidency be good or bad for Singapore?
Singapore suffers from the same high income inequality and a high cost of living. The policies promoted by Bernie Sanders will also be good for the people of Singapore.
A consequence is that the "unfettered free trade" which exists now in favor of the corporations, will be replaced by "fair trade" that will tilt the balance in favor of workers. This will lead to new rules of the game.
Singapore will also have to change and adapt to a new global environment, with its new challenges and opportunities. It will not be easy but it is better to live in a fairer world.
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