It is time for Dems to stop sidelining Bernie
White Rock, British Columbia: Interestingly, yet understandably, some statistics show that around three-quarters of Americans favor a governmental implementation of a number of public programs — notably, universal health care and some form of guaranteed income plan (aka welfare). A sufficiently large number of Americans are financially struggling just that much.
Yet, the Democratic National Committee apparently refuses to allow the genuinely fiscally progressive Sen. Bernie Sanders as its presidential nominee, no matter how many Democratic voters want him.
For example, every county in West Virginia voted for Sanders in the 2016 primaries, yet the DNC declared them as wins for Hillary Clinton! That doesn’t sound very democratic, does it? The neoliberal New York Times also is noticeably, unprofessionally hostile toward Sanders for his ideals and desire to truly help disenfranchised, low- or no-income Americans.
I find it arrogantly presumptuous of the DNC and party (etc.) to expect economically disenfranchised citizens to vote for an establishment Democratic candidate with thinly veiled ties to corporate interests and who is not going to improve the poor person’s lot in life — simply to vote out or keep out an undesirable Republican. And, of course, to wait in long, bad-weather lines for the privilege.
Perhaps Sanders should be seriously considered to replace President Biden. Frank Sterle Jr.
Uncertain future
East Lansing, Mich.: President Biden came to represent a father figure to many of us. And while it was fun lampooning him while he was still around, once he is gone, we will miss him. Biden represented many things to many people. But without him, it’s the end of an era. The question remains: Now what? Alper Can
Her turn
Brooklyn: Kudos to President Biden for selflessly taking his name out of the running for the Democratic nomination for president. His act was one of courage and thinking of his party and his country above himself. Throwing his full support behind Vice President Kamala Harris to headline the Democratic ticket was another class act. I wish him all the best in finishing out his term and whatever lies ahead for him post-presidency. I also want to wish Harris all the luck in the world in her bid to become the first female president of the United States. Make us proud, Madam Vice President. Jimmy Orr
Next in line
Briarwood: I voted in the New York presidential primary for Joe Biden. At the time I cast my vote, I understood that if Biden was unable or chose not to run for president, then Kamala Harris would be our candidate. Now that Biden has chosen not to run, I expect the Democratic Party to support Harris for president. I will be most unhappy if anyone else is at the top of the ticket. Mary Elizabeth Ellis
Stark distinction
Melbourne, Australia: There were two old men in the U.S. election, but now? One listened to his family, friends and advisers and did what they thought would be for the best. He will be hard to replace, but his deputy shows promise. One told his family, friends and advisers what he thought would be for the best. He will be easy to replace but his deputy is just a clone of himself. There are other comparisons already being reported in the media, including one being a felon and one prosecuting felons, but surely people can see the difference between them in not just age, but mainly in character. Dennis Fitzgerald
Old man running
Woodland Park, N.J.: With President Biden’s decision to drop out of the presidential campaign, Donald Trump now becomes the oldest person ever nominated for president. If he is elected, he will also be the oldest president when he completes his term. Do we really want to go through this again? John Dent
Bad mood dude
Manhattan: I’m very sad that Biden has dropped out of the presidential race. But here’s one of the big differences between Biden and Trump: When Trump was shot, Biden called him and wished him well. When Biden announced that he was not going to continue to run, what does Trump say? He’s unfit, the worst president, etc. Couldn’t Trump, for two seconds, say something gracious and kind? Like, “I wish you the best of luck and thank you for your service.” The president sets the mood for the country, and I don’t want the sort of crude nastiness that is Trump’s stock in trade to be the country’s mood. Joie Anderson
Ideologue infiltrators
Queens Village: How dare they call the Trump gang the Republican Party! As a woman of many years and a registered Republican, I resent this! They are the right-wing, evangelical gang of thugs! Buyer beware! Bertha Millner
Quid pro quo blessing
Flushing: My message to Donald Trump: The G-d of Israel and the Jewish people saved you so that you can save Israel when you are reelected. G-d’s hand came between your right ear and that bullet! G-d bless America. Martin Goldman
Fooling the fools
Manhattan: Mark Twain is quoted as saying, “It’s easier to fool people than to convince them that they have been fooled.” So, our bandage-on-ear buffoon continues to prove how prophetic the quote proves to be. Neil J. Pollicino
Same old him
Bayside: Your editorial “Trump is still Trump” (July 20) was spot-on! I, like many others, was hoping against hope that there would be some redeeming value to what Trump was going to say and that he wasn’t going to just feed into people’s fears. I am not a Trumper and I am truly dismayed that he is the only Republican presidential choice. I did not watch any of the RNC since conventions are usually just a love fest from a bunch of sycophants. But I listened to some of his speech and hoped he would rise to the occasion and finally sway me into accepting him as a viable candidate. Didn’t happen. I don’t know what’s going to happen with our country and it worries me. A lot. I really am disappointed that Trump is still Trump. If he had only stayed with the script, I may have, unbelievably, considered giving him a chance. Nope! Linda Chapman
Thank the network
Bronx: To Voicer Theresa Polese: The 44th Annual Independence Day Concert had no connection to Trump. PBS always puts on a great show. Marc Menchise
Despite the bite
Brooklyn: Re “Parade set to honor city pol charged with biting cop at protest” (July 20): Hey, if I bite a high-ranking police official, can I get a parade in my honor also? What a disgrace! Rocco Conte
Officially corrupt
Flushing: Sen. Bob Menendez of New Jersey has been found guilty in a federal corruption trial. He can base an appeal on the recent Supreme Court decision that a president is immune from prosecution for crimes committed as part of his official duties. Since the legislative branch of the federal government is of equal importance as the executive branch, the senator can claim immunity from prosecution for accepting a bribe as part of his official duties. Theodore Sheskin
Unfriendly ruling
Stockholm, N.J..: The only thing Bob Menendez did wrong was not having Aileen Cannon as his judge. Nat Saraceni
Thankless service
Milford, Pa.: Mayor Adams is still trying to force retirees into an inferior Medicare Advantage plan. This will result in inferior coverage with many pre-authorizations prior to getting treatment. He has lost in court nine times, yet he continues to waste taxpayers’ money by appealing every decision. Why put many old and frail retirees through this? Where is the mayor’s humanity? It would seem that Adams has a short memory. It was city workers (most now retired) who bailed the city out of a possible bankruptcy many years ago. My only regret about leaving the city when I retired is that I will not get to vote against him. Remember, Eric, retirees vote! Robert K. Greco
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