Here's Bernie's full response.

This part starting at 19:17 spoke to me:

"Now I know because I've heard from many of you out there who are feeling angry and frustrated at what's going on here in Washington. I know there are those who are feeling angry and frustrated at what's going on here in Washington D.C. And some of you may feel a bit hopeless.

"So let me say this at this particular moment in history. Despair is not an option. Giving up is not acceptable. And none of us have the privilege of hiding under the covers. The stakes are just too high.

"Let us never forget real change only occurs when ordinary people stand up by the millions against oppression and injustice and fight back. That is the history of the founding of our nation. When brave men and women took on the mighty invincible British Empire. It is the history of the Abolitionist Movement. The history of the labor movement. The history of the Civil Rights Movement, the Women's Movement, the Environmental Movement, and the gay rights movement.

"Yes I know the oligarchs are enormously powerful. I deal with them every day. I know that yes, they have endless amounts of money. Yes, they control our economy, and they own much of the media. They have enormous influence over our political system.

"But from the bottom of my heart I am convinced that they can be beaten if we stand together and not let them divide us up by the color of our skin, or where we were born, or our religion, or the language we speak, or our sexual orientation.

"If we bring our people together around an agenda that works for the many and not just a few, there is nothing in the world that can stop us.

"We can win, we will win.

"Let us go forward together.

"Thank you all very much".

The Democrats response was given by Senator Elissa Slotkin (D-Michigan):

I don't know much about her. Overall I thought the message was...better than we've heard from Democrats.

However this part of her response starting at 8:46 in was right on. Here's the transcript:

"Don't for one moment fool yourself that democracy isn't precious and worth saving. But how do we actually do that?

"I know a lot of you have been asking that question.

"First don't tune out. It's easy to be exhausted. But America needs you now more than ever. If previous generations had not fought for this democracy where would we be today? Second hold your elected officials including me accountable. Watch how they're voting. Go to town halls and demand they take action. That's as American as apple pie. Third, organize. Pick just one issue you're passionate about and engage - and doom scrolling doesn't count. Join a group that cares about your issue and act. And if you can't find one, start one. Some of the most important movements in our history have come from the bottom up.

"In closing. We all know that our country is going through something right now, we're not sure what the next day is going to hold - let alone the next decade. But this isn't the first time we've experience significant and tumultuous change as a country.

"I'm a student of history and we've gone through periods of political instability before. And ultimately we've chosen to keep changing this country for the better. But every single time we've only gotten through those moments because of two things: engaged citizens and principled leaders. Engaged citizens who do a little bit more than they're used to doing to fight for the things that they care about and principled leaders who are ready to receive the ball and do something about it.

"So thank you tonight for caring about your country. Just by watching you qualify as engaged citizens and I promise that I and my fellow Democrats will do everything in our power to be the Principal leaders that you deserve.

"Good night everyone".

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tty next time,