Sorry bigneil but you're delusional if you think anyone who actually receives supplemental security income benefits "likes" living on the brink of complete ruin. You do realize in the United States there is no such thing as just "welfare" but rather an entire system comprised of many different ways individuals can receive different benefits and that, to qualify for these systems, you had to have paid into them at some point? I think people who pay for social security at some point are entitled to government assistance when they need it. In fact, I can't even remember the last time an actual "welfare queen" has existed, probably because the last time they did was under the Reagan administration. But again, if you think people enjoy living like destitute vagabonds well you're simply beyond reason.
The senator is no socialist, at best he's a new deal democraft, or a "social democrat" if you will(at least that's self proclaimed by Sanders), who advocates for bigger social spending. Like Franklin D. Roosevelt. What a concept. Another thing is I'm not sure how being a social democrat occupying a seat in the Senate ISN'T a successful career? And what does net worth have to do with anything? It sounds like you're almost making the argument that the value of a person's life is only equivalent to whatever their net worth is. So what then are the lives worth of the men and women who sacrifice their lives every day for us in wars fought both past, present, and future? Their meager military salaries? Even if he hasn't made world shattering strides it's not easy fighting against private and corporate interests.
I'm still at a loss as to what makes socialist societies so horrible. Government "handouts" have nothing to do with anything here.
You can advocate for all the bigger social spending you like and get your boy Sanders to harangue people to pay the taxes to fund them. We are already $19,000,000,000,000 in debt. Current CBO forecasts put the debt at $23,000,000,000,000 in four years' time.
Pretend you can tax the 'rich' to pay for single payer health care, 'free college' and all the other Sanders promised goodies. It's simple math, even you can do it. Take the $2,000,000,000,000 accumulated wealth of all the "1%" and the 100 richest corporations. Not tax it, TAKE it. That would run the US government for 7 months of CURRENT spending, not post-Sanders college, health care and what have you.
Then fantasize that 100 Senators and 435 Congress persons, whether democrat or republican that stand for non-national, state and local elections are going to put into place the Sanders tax 'plan' and then try to run for re-election.
Sanders has been a US Senator for 10 years. He know he is blowing smoke. That you don't is amazing.