Bernie talks a good game, but socialism isn't the answer to America's problems. There are people making 6-figures living paycheck to paycheck. You cannot legislate and "safety net" irresponsible spending. Ironically, the best safety net is no safety net. Humans will actually take care of themselves if they have to. People will be charitable to those in true need, America has always done this. Relative wealth inequality is irrelevant (other than a political football), so long as absolute wealth rises, which it has. America's poor are more wealthy than the average income person in the world. Finally, the way you get big money out of national politics is to make federal government less powerful so it isn't worth buying. Reduce the federal government back to it's original intended size. Centralization of power will always lead to corruption/waste. It is inevitable.