Kristina Clady

The primaries and subsequent presidential election are fast approaching and, as they do, we as a community must ask ourselves, “Who has our best interests at heart?”

The answer is simple: Sen. Bernie Sanders. As a senator from Vermont, Sanders understands the issues plaguing rural America and is one of the only candidates to release proposals to solve problems directly faced by those of us who live in “farm country.” Sen. Sanders knows that hardworking individuals and families in areas like ours are the backbone of this country, and he intends to keep it that way.

One of Sen. Sanders’ focuses is stimulating rural economies. He wants to shift the focus from large, corporate factory farms to small and mid-sized family farms by taking such actions as expanding the Department of Agriculture and reversing trade policies such as NAFTA. Standing up to corporate farms and ensuring that they can’t force unfair pricing on family farmers are key points of Sanders’ plans.

The second part of Sanders’ plan draws attention to raising quality of life in rural America by improving our electric grid, investing in high-speed internet services, and repairing and improving dams and levees.

With the institution of his “Rebuild America Act,” Sen. Sanders plans on rebuilding the infrastructure of our country and creating 13 million new jobs in the process.

As a current member of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, Sen. Sanders has made caring for America’s veterans an integral part of his message. During his time in Congress, Sanders pushed for and wrote the Veterans Access, Choice and Accountability Act, which ensures timely healthcare for all veterans, as well as accountability from the VA.

Bernie Sanders cares about the people of this country — not just politicians, and not just the rich, but those of us living in rural America, farmers, and veterans, and his time in Congress has proven that. Sen. Sanders sincerely has our best interests at heart, and as president will do everything that he can for those of us often forgotten by the political system.

Kristina Clady

Perrysville