Bernie Sanders slams the Democratic Party for becoming the 'party of rich, coastal elites' and ignoring working-class people for many years

Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) claimed Thursday that the Democratic Party has become a 'party of coastal elites,' emphasizing that they needed to start 'bursting out of the blocs in an effort to protect working people.'

In an appearance on Late Night With Seth Meyers, Sanders criticized the party from getting off track when it comes to meeting the needs of working class people.

Seth Meyers seemed to be in agreement, acknowledging that the party has gotten away from America's working class, to which Sanders nodded in agreement. 

Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) made the comments while appearing on Late Night With Seth Meyers on Thursday

Meyers then asked Sanders what former Vice President Biden could do to 'bring the Democratic Party back to serving the working people in this country' if he won the election.  

'I think it is fair to say that in many ways the Democratic Party has become a party of the coastal elites, folks who have a lot of money, upper-middle-class people who are good people, who believe in social justice in many respects,' Sanders said, Newsweek reports. 

'But I think for many, many years the Democratic Party has not paid the kind of attention to working-class needs that they should've.'

Party demographics have shifted as more donors and businesses fund campaigns, Sanders asserted. He then stressed the need for Democrats in Congress to 'start bursting out of the blocs in an effort to protect working people.' 

Sanders has been working on a 100-day program to help the party move in the right direction, especially if it gains control of the Senate. 

 Sanders stressed the need for Democrats in Congress to 'start bursting out of the blocs in an effort to protect working people'

Sanders emphasized the importance of passing a 'very substantive' coronavirus bill that was similar to the one passed in March by Congress. Pelosi signs the March bill

Sanders emphasized the importance of passing a 'very substantive' coronavirus bill that was similar to the one passed in March by Congress. 

Under the Vermont politician's proposal, the weekly $600 payment that supplemented state unemployment benefits would be extended and an additional $1,200 would be given to individuals and families.

Sanders also stressed the need for the government to provide health care to anyone who might have lost it and to provide aid to cities so that they don't have to furlough or lay off workers. 

The senator also voiced his support for raising the minimum wage to at least $15 while making it easier for workers to join unions. He also advocated for women to receive equal pay for their work, compared to their male counterparts.  

'If the Democratic Party does not stand firmly for working families and have the courage to take on the drug companies and the insurance companies and the big money interests, shame on them,' Sanders said.  

Sanders has been working on a 100-day program to help the party move in the right direction, especially if it gains control of the Senate