Vermonty_Python

Senator Sanders, I am the founder and moderator of /r/SandersForPresident. As you likely know, we have seen a MASSIVE surge in grassroots support and energy over the last year (most notably, in the weeks following your announcement).

As a community, what is the SINGLE best way we can use our passion, creativity, and energy to help out and contribute to the cause?

Thank you for everything you've done to help the state of Vermont and the United States. And thank you for the shout-out!

EDIT: Since the solicitation of political contributions is likely prohibited in this subreddit, I will not be posting any links. However, if you insist on giving gold to the Senator, I would implore you to instead donate to his campaign. Surely the Senator needs the $5 more than Reddit and Conde Naste do, right?

EDIT x2: I'd like to add. We've been working for a over a year over in /r/SandersForPresident (since December, 2013 to be precise) to build up a large, informative, and supportive knowledge-base for all things pertaining to Senator Sanders. We want him in the White House, and if you're reading this and you have ANY interest in learning more about him, his voting history, and the beliefs he stands for, please pay us a visit! I'm attaching several resources to this comment as well - just keep reading.

If you want to chip in and help the cause, go ahead and subscribe to the subreddit. Participate as often as possible. Visit multiple times a day, read the comments, and learn all that you can. Spread the word far and wide! Bernie DOES have a chance and it's defeatist and flat-out wrong to say anything otherwise - you're just creating a self-fulfilling prophecy if you speak that way. He's honest, authentic, and one of the only people out there standing up for the common men and women of America. But even though it's going to take a lot of work to triumph over Hillary and her endless pockets of Wall Street money, we can still do it. And if you disregard all the stigma and misinformation, and just let his policies and 35 year history do the talking, the choice is obvious. He needs to be the next President of the United States of America. And he can be.

• Link to his official campaign website I'm redacting this link, since their campaign is currently working on a new website, and the current one contains only a donation link and sign up form. I don't want to violate any rules by soliticing these things. If you would like a direct link to their donations page and registration page, please visit /r/SandersForPresident and click the links in the sidebar.
• Link to his OnTheIssues.org page. Don't let people spread misinformation! Learn as much as you can about Senator Sanders and spread the knowledge far and wide. His opponents will make up whatever kind of baseless, slanderous nonsense possible to derail him and his message. The best way to defend against that is to PROVE them wrong, with citations and facts.
  
• Link to his official 12-step platform
  
• Link to register as a volunteer
  

Who's higher?

I know several people who work at the HQ in Williston, VT.

From my understanding, Unilvever owns the brand. But Ben, Jerry, and the rest of the gang still have a lot of creative input and control over what happens. That's how they're able to be so progressive, steadfast, and outspoken when it comes to these environmental/political/social issues. Unilever has a representative that spends almost all his time in Williston, too. I'm not sure what the official title is, but he's basically the boss-man when it comes to how the brand interacts with the parent corporation. And, from what I've heard, he's really, really, cool. Laid back, easy to work with, flexible, fair, basically all the qualities you'd hope to find in a boss.

He once said: "the day scientists can prove that wearing a suit and tie to work will improve productivity is the day where I'll enforce a dress code. 'Til then, enjoy the tye dye." Or something along those lines.

Like I said. They're owned by Unilever, but they've earned a very long leash.

What would you have to say to all those people who have given up on our current political system (in all it's broken, money-influenced, ineffective glory) and have sworn that they won't/don't vote?

There are millions of disheartened voters out there, distraught with cynicism and pessimism. It's difficult to remain hopeful in this political landscape, especially considering how disappointing Obama's re-election turned out to be. Can you give us a reason to be hopeful and passionate again?

EDIT: I'm gonna' use my time in the limelight to plug /r/SandersForPresident. While in no way affiliated or endorsed by the Senator and his staff, we strive to spread awareness, information, and support for Bernie Sanders. Ultimately, we hope that he will announce his candidacy for President, and when that day comes, we want to have a large, passionate community to help his cause. Please join us, regardless if you fully support him or not. At the very least, maybe you'll learn something new about his (and other like-minded politicians') values.

Hey Bernie,

Longtime Vermonter (and a supporter of yours) here. I also founded and moderate the subreddit /r/SandersForPresident. I've tried contacting your office in regards to the community, but haven't had any luck getting in touch with the right people. I was wondering if you could take a look at the place and offer unofficial suggestions for changes, improvements, or focal points we should emphasize. Bottom line: we want a progressive President in 2016. Ideally, it's you. And it'd be an honor to help play a role in your success.

Thank you for doing this AMA, for reading this message, and for being one of the MANY reasons that I'm proud to be a Vermonter.