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Bernie Sanders and Gavin Newsom become adversaries over push to tax California billionaires
AP ^ | February 19, 2026 | AP Bitter LOSERS

Posted on 02/19/2026 5:43:02 AM PST by Diana in Wisconsin

As national Democrats search for a unifying theme ahead of the fall’s midterm elections, a California proposal to levy a hefty tax on billionaires is turning some of the party’s leading figures into adversaries just when Democrats can least afford division from within.

Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders traveled to Los Angeles on Wednesday to campaign for the tax proposal, which has Silicon Valley in an uproar, with tech titans threatening to leave the state. Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom is among its outspoken opponents, warning that it could leave government finances in crisis and put the state at a competitive disadvantage nationally.

At an evening rally near downtown, Sanders told cheering supporters that the nation has reached a crisis point in which “massive income and wealth inequality” has concentrated power over business, technology, government and the media within the “billionaire class,” while millions of working-class Americans struggle to pay household bills.

He said enactment of the proposed tax would show “we are still living in a democratic society where the people have some power.”

“Enough is enough,” Sanders said to a pulse of applause. “The billionaire class cannot have it all. This nation belongs to all of us.”

(Excerpt) Read more at apnews.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Crime/Corruption; Politics/Elections; US: California
KEYWORDS: business; gettingitgoodandhard; newsom; sanders; sparklebeachken; taxes; youvotedforthislol
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"Midterm elections typically punish the party in control of the White House, and Democrats are hoping to gain enough U.S. House seats to overturn the chamber’s slim Republican majority. In California, rejiggered House districts approved by voters last year are expected to help the party pick up as many as five additional seats, which would leave Republicans in control of just a handful of districts.

'It is always better for a party to have the political debate focused on issues where you are united and the other party is divided,” said Eric Schickler, a professor of political science at the University of California, Berkeley. “Having an issue like this where Newsom and Sanders — among others — are on different sides is not ideal.'”

1 posted on 02/19/2026 5:43:02 AM PST by Diana in Wisconsin
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

Go Bernie!!


2 posted on 02/19/2026 5:47:21 AM PST by nwrep
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

2 sides of the same human scum.


3 posted on 02/19/2026 5:50:20 AM PST by PGalt (Past Peak Civilization?)
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

“California billionaires”
-

Soon to be Florida, Texas or Tennessee billionaires.


4 posted on 02/19/2026 5:53:20 AM PST by V_TWIN (America....so great even the people that hate it won't leave)
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To: PGalt

Agreed. But it’s nice to see them fight out in the open!

‘Never interrupt your enemy when he is making a mistake.’ ~ Napoleon Bonaparte


5 posted on 02/19/2026 5:53:22 AM PST by Diana in Wisconsin (I don't have, 'Hobbies.' I'm developing a robust Post-Apocalyptic skill set.)
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

It’s always fun being lectured to by Mr. Three Houses.


6 posted on 02/19/2026 5:54:02 AM PST by sauropod
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To: V_TWIN

Wisconsin is Open For Business, too! We could use a few more CONSERVATIVE Billionaires! :)


7 posted on 02/19/2026 5:54:09 AM PST by Diana in Wisconsin (I don't have, 'Hobbies.' I'm developing a robust Post-Apocalyptic skill set.)
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

OK. If they both fight to the death even better.


8 posted on 02/19/2026 5:55:56 AM PST by PGalt (Past Peak Civilization?)
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

Gavin trying to play the “Great Centrist Hope”

Don’t fall for it.


9 posted on 02/19/2026 5:56:58 AM PST by dfwgator ("I am Charlie Kirk!")
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To: PGalt
OK. If they both fight to the death even better.

That's what I was thinking. THUNDERDOME!!

10 posted on 02/19/2026 6:07:38 AM PST by A_perfect_lady (The greatest wealth is to live content with little. -Plato)
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To: nwrep

Bernie is just jealous that he isn’t a billionaire,, yet.


11 posted on 02/19/2026 6:11:03 AM PST by Old Yeller
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To: A_perfect_lady

Yep 2 scumbags enter, but nobody leaves alive. Or, send them o re-education camp at CECOT.


12 posted on 02/19/2026 6:16:19 AM PST by PGalt (Past Peak Civilization?)
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

Too cold! 🥶❄️


13 posted on 02/19/2026 6:17:34 AM PST by V_TWIN (America....so great even the people that hate it won't leave)
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To: A_perfect_lady

“””OK. If they both fight to the death even better.

That’s what I was thinking. THUNDERDOME!! “””””””””

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AwIY4PRIp4s


14 posted on 02/19/2026 6:19:03 AM PST by shelterguy
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To: V_TWIN

Thats the one thing, where the more you have, it easier it is to move. Money..


15 posted on 02/19/2026 6:21:10 AM PST by cableguymn (Can't cancel all of us)
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

Newsom should make millionaires and up that would include himself


16 posted on 02/19/2026 6:22:53 AM PST by butlerweave (Fateh)
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

How do these no-talent, low-life politicians get so rich?

Someone needs to ask them THAT.


17 posted on 02/19/2026 6:24:11 AM PST by fwdude (Why is there a "far/radical right," but damned if they'll admit that there is a far/radical left)
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

Sanders used to rail against millionaires, but since he’s now one of them he’s moved it up to the billionaires as being the bad guys.


18 posted on 02/19/2026 6:33:22 AM PST by JPG (XRP, let's roll!)
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To: Diana in Wisconsin
Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom is among its outspoken opponents

They left out the "wink, wink".

19 posted on 02/19/2026 6:55:50 AM PST by libertylover (The HBM (Has Been Media) is almost all AGENDA-DRIVEN and HATE-DRIVEN, not-truth driven.)
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To: Diana in Wisconsin
“Enough is enough,” Sanders said to a pulse of applause. “The billionaire class cannot have it all. This nation belongs to all of us.”

Who is us, Bernie? Working people? That's not you. You are the multi-millionaire class who owns multiple houses. the billionaire class doesn't have it all. Your fellow multi-millionaires have a lot too. Should we tax people who own more than one house?

20 posted on 02/19/2026 7:00:05 AM PST by Opinionated Blowhard (When the people find that they can vote themselves money, that will herald the end of the republic.)
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