Bernie Sanders slammed for lashing out at reporter when confronted about 32-hour workweek proposal

WASHINGTON, DC: In a heated exchange on Wednesday, March 13, Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont sparred with Fox Business reporter Hillary Vaughn over his proposed legislation advocating for a 32-hour workweek.

The confrontation, which unfolded during a press event, shed light on Sanders' advocacy for socialist causes and his contentious relationship with certain segments of the media.

Confrontation Unfolds During Press Event

The incident ignited when Vaughn directed her inquiry towards Sanders, prompting him to inquire about her media affiliation. “Can I talk to you about the 32-hour workweek?” she asked the longtime senator.

Undeterred, Vaughn suggested that Democrats, including Sanders, were advocating for increased taxation on businesses. Sanders swiftly cut her off, expressing his discontent with Vaughn's line of questioning. “Really? This how we do things?” he asked. Regardless, Vaughn persisted, attempting to elucidate how businesses would navigate a shortened workweek.

Sanders, in turn, pivoted the discussion towards income inequality and the disproportionate accumulation of wealth among the top echelons of society.

“We held a hearing on a 32-hour workweek because what we have seen is that over the last 50 years, despite a huge increase in worker productivity, almost all of the wealth has gone to the top 1 percent, while 60 percent of the people [are] living paycheck to paycheck,” Sanders said, as quoted by Mediaite.  

“Many of our people are exhausted,” he continued. “We work the longest hours of any people in the industrialized world. I think it’s time for a shortened workweek.”

Emphasizing the need for a reformed tax system, Sanders called on affluent individuals, such as Amazon's Jeff Bezos, to contribute more equitably to societal coffers. “I think that billionaires have got to start paying their fair share of taxes,” he said.

Sanders' proposed legislation seeks to redefine the parameters of overtime pay, lowering the threshold from 40 to 32 hours. Additionally, it mandates premium compensation for hours exceeding the standard workday, a move intended to safeguard workers' financial well-being.

Citing data from various pilot programs and studies, Sanders contends that a shorter workweek correlates with heightened productivity and improved job satisfaction among employees, The Hill reported.

Social Media Backlash

However, Sanders' advocacy for a 32-hour workweek has not been without criticism. Following the altercation with Vaughn, social media platforms buzzed with commentary, as many accused Sanders of lacking a nuanced understanding of economic realities.

"Socialists have no idea how much people have to work to produce positive, profitable results," one posted on X.

"Very misogynistic.. would be shush a male reporter like that?" another wrote.

"He doesn’t care about the economics, just socialism," a comment read. 

"The guy that’s never had a job," someone else alleged.

"Funny how politicians know nothing about owning and operating a business. Berny is a primary example!" another chimed in.

Scrutiny Over Sanders' Wealth

Indeed, Sanders' wealth has been a recurrent point of contention. Despite espousing socialist principles and championing the working class, Sanders' financial assets, including three homes, have invited scrutiny.

According to the Daily Mail, his $2.5 million net worth juxtaposes with his advocacy for taxing the wealthy, prompting allegations of hypocrisy from his detractors.

Sanders' real estate holdings - which include properties in Burlington, Vermont, and Washington, DC - have not helped his cause. While he positions himself as a champion of the downtrodden, his affluent lifestyle has invited skepticism regarding the authenticity of his socialist convictions.

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