This week, Senator Bernie Sanders and Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC) held big political rallies in cities like Denver and Tucson.
The Denver event was especially huge—it was the city’s biggest political rally since 2008. That’s when Barack Obama was running for president.
So, yes, people are talking.
Some folks in the media and within the Democratic Party are starting to wonder: Could this be the start of a 2028 Sanders-AOC presidential ticket?
JUST IN ️
Democrats are reportedly pushing for a Sanders/AOC 2028 presidential ticket…
— American AF (@iAnonPatriot) March 21, 2025
Now, that’s still a long way off.
And experts say there are a lot of hurdles—like Bernie Sanders’ age (he’ll be 87 in 2028!) and whether the Democratic Party would actually back a ticket that far to the left.
But let’s say, just for a minute, that this idea becomes real.
What would it mean for you, me, and our everyday freedoms?
More Government, Less Freedom?
If you’ve ever heard Sanders or AOC speak, you know they’re not shy about pushing for big government ideas.
They talk about things like:
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Medicare for All (which means the government would take over healthcare)
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The Green New Deal (a massive environmental plan that could cost trillions)
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Student loan cancellation
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Free college for everyone
Sounds nice, right?
But here’s the thing: All of those programs come with a hefty price tag—and someone has to pay for it.
Spoiler alert: That “someone” is usually the taxpayer.
That means more of your paycheck going to Washington, D.C., and less staying in your wallet.
According to the Heritage Foundation, Medicare for All could cost over $32 trillion in the first ten years.
That’s trillion with a T.
And while Sanders says the rich and big corporations will pay for it, history tells a different story.
When government spending goes up, taxes usually go up too—for everyone.
Everyday Example: Your Local Diner
Let’s take a look at Joe, who runs a small diner in town.
He’s not rich. He works hard, hires local teens for summer jobs, and barely takes a vacation.
If the Sanders-AOC vision became law, Joe might face:
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Higher business taxes
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More red tape and rules
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New energy costs from Green New Deal-style regulations
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Health care mandates that make it more expensive to hire workers
Joe wants to give his employees good wages.
He wants to keep prices low for customers.
But when government steps in with more rules and taxes, he might have no choice but to raise prices—or let workers go.
That’s how these big ideas can hurt small businesses, even if the politicians behind them have good intentions.
Who Decides—You or the Government?
A lot of what Sanders and AOC talk about boils down to control.
Should you make decisions for yourself and your family—or should the government decide for you?
Take healthcare, for example.
Under Medicare for All, you wouldn’t be able to keep your private insurance.
That’s not just a guess—even Sanders admitted it during the 2020 campaign.
So if you like your doctor or your health plan, tough luck. Uncle Sam gets to decide what care you get and when.
What Supporters Say
To be fair, Sanders and AOC aren’t shy about their goals.
They say they’re fighting “authoritarianism” and “oligarchy.”
In other words, they think big money and big corporations have too much power, and they want government to step in and fix it.
Some of their supporters say it’s about fairness.
They believe healthcare, college, and housing should be rights, not privileges. And they argue that billionaires shouldn’t exist while others struggle to pay rent.
That argument tugs at the heartstrings.
But it also ignores some key facts—like how free markets and personal freedom have lifted more people out of poverty than any government program ever has.
Polls Show Americans Still Love Freedom
Recent polls suggest most Americans aren’t ready to embrace socialism.
According to a 2023 Gallup poll, 60% of adults still view socialism negatively, while capitalism has a 65% favorable rating.
And when asked about issues like Medicare for All, support drops sharply once people learn it would mean higher taxes and longer wait times for care.
People want fairness—but they also want freedom, opportunity, and choice.
That’s the conservative approach: Let people decide what’s best for their own lives. Keep government small and out of the way.
Final Thoughts
Could a Sanders-AOC ticket really happen in 2028?
Maybe. Maybe not.
But the excitement at their rallies shows that the far-left wing of the Democratic Party is feeling energized again.
For those of us with conservative values, it’s important than ever to pay attention, speak up, and support leaders who trust people—not politicians—to make the best choices for their own lives.
Because at the end of the day, big government might promise a lot—but it rarely delivers without taking something from you first.
This article was written with the assistance of AI. Please verify information and consult additional sources as needed.
