Bernie Sanders rejects critics of his newfound wealth: "I did not know that it was a crime to write a good book"



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"I did not know it was a crime to write a good book that turned out to be a best seller," Sanders said at a community meeting at Gary's in New York. l & # 39; Indiana.

Since Sanders became a millionaire earlier this week, he and his campaign have pointed to his platform, which is extremely critical of "billionaires," and his rich corporate interests, such as private insurers and pharmaceutical companies. , have not changed. His Medicare for All campaign has been marked by constant attacks against these industries.

"My point of view has always been that we need a progressive tax system that requires the richest people in the country to finally start paying their fair share of taxes. "Money, you earn a lot of money, that 's what you think," Sanders added, provocatively and clearly frustrated by the line of questioning. "Again, I do not apologize for writing a number three bestseller book in the New York Times, translated into five or six languages ​​and that's all."

Sanders' place among the pioneers in the 2020 Democratic presidential primary has called for a new scrutiny, primarily focused on his finances – and his tax returns, which, he said, would be released next week, April 15, as part of the Day of Tax. Sanders released his 2014 public tax return report during his first presidential campaign, in 2016. This time, he's committed to sharing a decade of records.

The Vermont Independent has twice bristled with questions about her personal wealth. His comment Saturday echoed what he had told the New York Times earlier this week.

"I wrote a bestseller," Sanders said then. "If you are writing a bestseller, you can also be a millionaire."

Sanders campaign manager Faiz Shakir also defended the candidate against claims that an increase in his income would reduce his message or his ability to pass it on, telling CNN on Wednesday that Sanders believed he was "in the dark." opportunity for all ".

"The fact that someone who has personally benefited from this opportunity is, according to him, an opportunity shared with all the others," Shakir said. "He has made money with a book, and I think the opportunity he has had is evaporating for so many others. convinced that there is nothing in these tax returns nor in the money or anything that will come on that will change this fundamental fact a bit. "

Sanders' book, "Our Revolution," was published in November 2016, a week after Donald Trump won the presidency. He claims a place on Times' bestseller list. The book is centered on his first campaign and on the grassroots movement that he's been striving to create while running against Hillary Clinton for the Democratic nomination.

His most recent book, "Where do we go from here: two years in the resistance," was published in November 2018 and sets out the blueprint for his current race. Sanders entered the race in February.

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