Thanks, Bernie

Tweet

When it comes to politics, Bernie Sanders is someone I'd run away from. The 360 or so-year-old (he'll be 80 in September) has a lot of people believing that all government needs to do is snap its fingers and everyone will have good health care. Take it from someone who's been in the government healthcare system (courtesy of the Veterans Administration) for over 35 years, you don't want that. You get what you pay for, and nothing is about what you'll get! But this isn't about politics. This is about two things that the Vermont senator did recently. Unintentionally, Sanders became the toast of the online meme world last week when he showed up at the inauguration wearing a coat, his mask, and some mittens. That has become a riotous meme sensation: everywhere, from album covers (see photo, a spoof of the first Crosby, Stills, and Nash album) to movies and TV shows to personal photographs, Sanders, in his seat, socially distanced at the inauguration, has taken over. I've reached the point where I look for Sanders in every photo I see posted on Facebook right now! We have lost our sense of humor lately, and it seems so refreshing to see people having a good time with that photo. And, if you're wondering, Sanders has a good sense of humor about it, too, which brings me to the second thing he's done. The woman who knitted his mittens has been swamped with requests for them. While she can't fulfill those requests, Sanders has stepped up and offered an alternative. His official website is selling sweatshirts with the now-iconic photo of the senator sitting in his seat. Here's the cool part: the proceeds from the $45 sweatshirt (which sold out almost immediately in its first run) are being given to Meals on Wheels Vermont. Thanks, Bernie. You've helped us laugh, and you've almost made us believe there are decent politicians out there.