The Political Insider

During a CNN town hall on Monday, long shot 2020 Democratic presidential hopeful Tom Steyer went after Bernie Sanders over the senator’s socialist ideology and praise of communist dictators.

Steyer: ‘The solution is not for the government to take over big parts of the economy’

“I don’t think a government takeover of major parts of the American economy is a good idea,” Steyer said, blasting Sanders’ socialist ideas. “I don’t think it’s good for working people. I don’t think it’s good for families. I know that unchecked capitalism has failed. But the solution is not for the government to take over big parts of the economy.”

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“Look, we need a vibrant, competitive, dynamic private sector,” Steyer went on. “That’s the goose that lays the golden egg. So we can’t kill that. We need to have a government that works for the people that writes rules so that corporations have to act in a way that helps us. But let’s get over the idea that somehow the government taking over major parts of the economy is a good idea. It’s never worked in the past and it’s not going to work for us now.”

Steyer Criticizes Sanders for Praising Authoritarian Regimes

When CNN host Chris Cuomo asked Steyer about Sanders’ recent positive comments about communist China and Cuban dictator Fidel Castro, Steyer replied in full.

“I don’t think it’s appropriate to look at a dictator in Cuba who’s been there for 60 years, who has really done a terrible job for the Cuban people, who’s an autocrat who’s never allowed dissent or elections and who has done exactly — he’s had the government own the economy and people are hungry and he’s been a cruel controller of the country,” Steyer said. “I don’t think it’s appropriate to be giving him a lot of compliments.”

“The United States is supposed to be the value-driven leader of the world. We stand for freedom,” Steyer continued. “We stand for democracy and justice and equality. And I think when we go out to the world we should be standing up for the things that we believe in. That’s what the whole idea of the United States is. So I’m never going to be complimenting people, unelected leaders, of countries who completely control without any form of democracy, justice or equality. No, I think it’s inappropriate, Chris, I really do.”

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“If you’re asking me, will I ever compliment a regime that’s unelected, that rules without the rule of law, that is — that dominates its country without the kind of democracy and — that we have?” Steyer said, as he began to wrap up his thoughts. No, I’m never going to compliment that system. I don’t approve of it. I don’t think it works.”

“I think we stand up for who we are around the country because we’re trying to be the best value driven country in the world,” Steyer said. “That’s who we are. We should be proud of it and we should never give in to somebody else’s view.”