There are very powerful and wealthy special interests who want to privatize or dismember virtually every function that government now performs, whether it is Social Security, Medicare, public education or the Postal Service.

The quote by Bernie Sanders reflects his concerns about the influence of powerful and wealthy special interests on the political system. Sanders is pointing out that these groups seek to privatize or dismember key functions of the government, particularly those that serve the public good, such as Social Security, Medicare, public education, and the Postal Service. He warns that the motivations behind these efforts are often driven by profit, not the well-being of the citizens who rely on these vital services.

Sanders’ statement critiques the push by some corporate and political groups to reduce the role of the government in providing essential services. His concern is that if these services were privatized or eliminated, they could become less accessible and more expensive for the average citizen, benefiting only the wealthy while leaving ordinary people at a disadvantage. Sanders’ stance emphasizes the need for strong public programs to protect the vulnerable and ensure equal access to critical resources.

The origin of this quote can be traced to Sanders' long-standing opposition to the efforts of conservatives and corporations to reduce the size of the government and privatize public services. As a self-identified democratic socialist, Sanders has consistently advocated for a strong government role in areas like healthcare, education, and social services. This quote reflects his broader political ideology, which stresses the importance of keeping essential public services under government control to ensure fairness and equality.

In essence, Sanders’ quote is a call to defend public institutions against privatization efforts that could undermine their mission to serve the public. He believes that the government should continue to play a central role in protecting the rights and needs of the people, particularly those who rely on programs like Social Security, Medicare, and education, rather than turning these functions over to private entities seeking to profit.