Sanders talks voter turnout, Clinton, economics in Grand Valley visit

Democratic candidate for president Bernie Sanders told a capacity crowd at Grand Valley's Fieldhouse Arena on March 4 that he will win Michigan's democratic primary on March 8 if voter turnout in the state is high, and that he could defeat Republican front-runner Donald Trump in a general election.

"We will defeat Donald Trump. Why? because the American people understand that coming together and supporting each other trumps divisiveness," Sanders said. "Because the American people understand the community and the need to help each other trumps selfishness, and most profoundly, the vast majority of the American people, no matter our race, religion, or where we come from, understand that love trumps hatred."

Sanders also denounced Democratic challenger Hillary Clinton for accepting PAC funds and donations from Wall Street, while also attacking her record on foreign policy and trade agreements. 

The wide-ranging speech was well received by a crowd of 4,800, in which Sanders criticized what he called a corrupt campaign finance system, voter suppression, economic inequality and the criminal justice system.

Sanders also discussed health care, social safety net programs, and funding of higher education.

Sanders started the speech with a scathing rebuke of the campaign finance system, saying that the current system is undermining American democracy.

"American democracy is under assault," Sanders said. "What democracy is supposed to be about is one person one vote. You don't want to vote for me? Fine. But what American democracy is not supposed to be about is super PACs and billionaires buying elections."

Sanders said he favors public funding of elections and wants to overturn the Supreme Court's Citizens United decision.

He also stressed the importance of voter participation, criticized politicians who he said are undertaking efforts to reduce voter participation and lamented that the U.S. has one of the lowest voter turnout rates in the world. 

"If you're 18, and a citizen, you are registered to vote, end of discussion," Sanders said of his proposed plan. "Football is a spectator sport, democracy is not a spectator sport."

Sanders said that the significant surge in support his campaign has received over the past 10 months stems from listening to the American people, and talking about issues that matter to the middle class. 

He also said that no president can resolve the enormous crises facing the U.S. alone, asking supporters to join him in "a political revolution."

Following a common thread among his campaign speeches, Sanders also spent significant time addressing economic inequality and what he called "a rigged economy" that favors the extremely wealthy over the middle class.

"Are you ready for a radical idea? Together, we are going to create an economy that works for all Americans, not just the one percent," Sanders said.

Sanders said Americans should be ashamed that more people are imprisoned in the U.S. than any other country on earth, and that college tuition should be free to enhance America's competitive edge in a well-educated global economy.

"First grade through 12th grade is no longer good enough. Fifty years ago, a high school degree was a pretty high prize for most people, and if you had one you could get a pretty damn good job," Sanders said. "A college degree is the equivalent of a high school degree 50 years ago."

Sanders said funds to pay for higher education and $1 trillion in infrastructure improvements would come from new taxes on Wall Street speculation and closing loopholes on tax shelters for corporations.

He closed the speech by asking supporters for their votes, citing progress in national polls over the past 10 months.

"If you guys come out to vote Tuesday, we're going to win Michigan," Sanders said.