Self-described democratic socialist Bernie Sanders was stumped during an interview with Bill Maher on Friday when asked about the difference between equity and equality.
“Are we confusing equality of opportunity with trying to guarantee equity in outcomes,” the host of “Real Time with Bill Maher” asked the senator and author of the new book, “It’s OK to Be Angry About Capitalism.”
"I think this word ‘equity’ has come into the language in the last few years and before that we didn’t hear it a lot. And I think a lot of people hear ‘equity’ and they hear ‘equality’ like it’s the same word, and it’s not the same word and the same concept," Maher continued. "So how would you differentiate between equity and equality?"
"Well equality, we talk about – uh, I don’t know what the answer to that is," Sanders replied. "Equality is equality of opportunity. We live in a society we want all people to have whatever color your skin is—”
“Equity,” Maher interrupted, “I think, is more of a guarantee of outcome, is it not?"
The Vermont senator agreed.
When Maher asked which side he came down on, Sanders said, “equality," which critics argue was a "stunning admission."
Bernie Sanders now backs equality (opportunity) over equity (outcome)
— End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) March 5, 2023
This is a truly stunning admission coming from an avowed socialist pic.twitter.com/ElfVAegruB
Bill Maher asked Bernie Sanders to explain the differences between ‘equality’ and ‘equity’
— Zachery Henry (@zhenryaz) March 4, 2023
Bernie was left dumbstruck 👀 pic.twitter.com/p0KsRzSQ6I
Bernie Sanders Shocks the Socialist World by Embracing Equality Over Equity https://t.co/lkaHcaeYIh
— JD Rucker (@JDRucker) March 4, 2023
Others gave him credit for admitting he didn't know.
Sanders actually comes off looking good here. He didn't know so he *said he didn't know.*
— Bonchie (@bonchieredstate) March 5, 2023
He didn't recite a bunch of talking points, and when given the definition, he agreed that equality is the right path.
Sanders is a crazy socialist. But he's honest. That's refreshing. https://t.co/Lqi4MlWeyW
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