Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) was photographed flying first class on Tuesday with fellow Vermont Senator Peter Welch. Many people online are calling the self-described socialist Sanders a hypocrite for flying in a premium class of service, while the working classes suffer coach.
Look who I found. pic.twitter.com/OwPzj6NZRP
— Senator Peter Welch (@SenPeterWelch) March 18, 2025
There are (5) reasons why this isn’t actually problematic at all.
- He needs to work. Socialism in our time doesn’t just happen on its own, it’s hard work, and he needs to maximize his labor value to the extent possible.
- Flying first class is consistent with his principles. Even North Korea’s Air Koryo has business class. A Democratic People’s Republic doesn’t, in fact, mean abolishing class. In socialist paradise “all animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.”
- He wants first class for all, and for the rich to pay for it. People think he’s being hypocritical because first class is what he’s against but that’s not true, he just wants corporations to give first class away to everyone free.
- Central Committee members travel in luxury, and Sanders wasn’t taxing the poor to do it He was either upgraded, or his first class ticket was paid for by donor dollars (e.g. DSCS or a campaign). It’s either the same upgrades available to all based on elite status, or a matter for donors to decide whether they’re getting value for their investment or not, rather than being an issue of well-spent public funds.
- He was flying domestic first class, not luxury. The product can hardly be considered luxury.
Bernie Sanders has been spotted in American Airlines first class and flew private and insists that his suites have bath tubs. So, no, this isn’t going to undermine his popularity among his base one bit – nor should it.
There’s also nothing wrong, by the way, when AOC flies first class either.
From 1990…“…up to the point of engaging in ad hominem attacks,”
Also from 1990…
“Not (Uncle) Tom Sowell.”
“He’s the token black economist for right-wingers and libertarian chaos agents…”
The hypocrisy and lack of awareness is stunning. Another example of why 1990 is one of the most ignorant commentators on this blog.
Well now.. NYC Mayor Eric Adams was indicted on bribery charges for taking free First Class travel from Turkish Airlines. And he doesn’t have any power over how Turkish Airlines is regulated (FAA laws,etc.). So, did Bernie pay for that First Class seat?? If not..someone needs to explain some things.
It isn’t a hypocrite because he flew first class. He is a hypocrite because he owns three houses and complains about other people’s carbon footprint. If you believe in what you preach – limit your footprint. Be an example for others.
@Mike P — I stand by my positions. Thomas Sowell is not a credible source, as in, his theories are not backed by empirical evidence. He is indeed a propagandist for those ideologies.
That’s not an ‘ad hominem’ against a fellow commenter on this site–you, however, do that frequently. Mike, I don’t call you silly names, like you call me. Yet, if you wish, you can call me whatever you’d like–I can take it. I’ve always said, if you can’t handle the heat, get out of the kitchen.
You know, or should know, that there is a difference between debating on substance, such as the sources and quotes and ideas that we exchange, verses mere calling a fellow commenter ‘ignorant’ without addressing the substance.
But, hey, you do you. Gary is generous to not micromanage us here. Thank you, sirs.
He’s not flying private like the entire US Cabinet!!
What’s wrong with him for not partaking in the grifting?
@mike apo — First, we have a king, and if he says ‘drop the case,’ then it’s dropped. Wave goodbye to bribery charges, etc., so long as the Mayor assists to roundup anyone deemed ‘undesirable.’
Second, according to Snyder v. United States, 603 U.S. 1, a United States Supreme Court case in which the Court held 18 U.S.C. § 666 prohibits bribes to state and local officials but does not make it a crime for those officials to accept ‘gratuities’ for their past acts. So, technically, for a federal bribery charge, Adams can simply argue these were mere ‘gratuities.’ Now, for practical purposes, yeah, he totally engaged in a quid pro quo, like, do us this favor with our consulate, and you can fly anywhere you want in business relatively free. *wink wink nudge nudge*
Conclusion: The rule of law is dying. The obscenely wealthy and powerful are abusing it into submission, and the rest of us are just ‘letting it happen’ because folks like @Mike P hate unions.
Finally, Adams flew ‘Business’ class, not ‘First,’ because Turkish only has ‘Business’ (it’s a lie-flat, so very nice, regardless) on it’s long-haul from NYC-IST. I know, I know… nuance. Sheesh.
@Mary — Good point. It’s almost like the hatred for Bernie is ‘performative’ and the ‘facts’ don’t really matter to a lot of folks, because ‘lies’ are easier and beneficial for them. I can recall several posts recently where Gary was referring to the wealthy elected officials taking their private jets to DCA, just before the midair collision even. Wasn’t it WV Senator Justice that was abusing those privileges? Hmm. Yet, folks on the right don’t seem to ‘bash’ him. Odd. Double-stand, even. Curious. No, no, Bernie’s the hypocrite. If only hypocrisy were an actual crime–it’ ain’t. And if only shame worked–it doesn’t anymore.