Sanders, Trump, media, violence

Sanders is a disappointment

Re “A selfless Sanders is our only hope” (Insight, Erika D. Smith, May 12): Bernie Sanders was one of my favorite members of Congress, if not at the top of the list. But I have lost a lot of respect for him since the election cycle has begun.

Many countries in the world – including ones we would consider third-world countries – have had women heads of state, but not the United States. Sanders gives me the impression that he will come to the rescue, denying Americans a chance to elect someone who has more experience than all the other candidates combined.

He has no chance of winning the primary. And if he were to get the nomination, he couldn’t win in November. Republicans will run ads saying: “Do you want this commie running this country?” “Do you want more government and higher taxes? Then vote for Sanders.”

Media shows bias against Sanders

Re “Study says Sanders’ plan adds $18 trillion of debt” (Page 2A, May 10): The headline suggests Bernie Sanders’ economic policies are idealistic, but unaffordable. However, after reading the article, I think a headline reading: “Sanders’ plan would return $8,700 to the average American family” would be far more accurate.

Buried in the last two paragraphs of the story is the economic truth of the plan. “All but the richest would come out ahead.” Those in the middle class would gain $8,700 annually as benefits outweigh taxes. Only the top 5 percent would lose income.

While the article was written by The Associated Press, the misleading headline was written by The Sacramento Bee. Placing this news directly above the story of Sanders’ campaign rally Monday evening is equally disturbing.

This is a perfect example of corporate media bias against the Sanders campaign.

Necessity of single-payer

Re “Sanders can fix what ails health care system” (Viewpoints, May 10): Cathy Kennedy’s perspective of the current broken health care system was spot on.

It was a reminder of the California Legislature’s attempts in 2006 and 2008 to enact a single-payer bill. Unfortunately, the bills were vetoed both times by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. After that, the Affordable Care Act was crafted and ultimately became law.

The ACA is nowhere near as comprehensive or cost effective as single-payer, and can still lead to medical debt and bankruptcy for a policy-holder.

Thanks to Sen. Bernie Sanders, single-payer is now a topic of discussion as questions are being raised about costs and taxes. As to such concerns, the funding is already there for single-payer. But it is a matter of more efficient use of those funds.

For example, eliminating insurance overhead costs and establishment of a single-payer agency to pay for services.

Who will throw the first stone?

Re “After election, will there be violence?” (Viewpoints, May 11): It’s wonderful to see Leonard Pitts stoking the liberal/progressive fires with comments like “There has been little, if any, discussion of the potential violence” regarding the outcome of the November election.

He noted the violence and brawls at Donald Trump rallies. That’s a misleading statement with the exception of the man that punched an anti-Trump protester. The violence and brawls are not among Trump supporters, but rather the anti-Trump instigators.

It’s also wonderful that he tries to link several past incidents of violence to the “radical right.”

To answer his question: Will there be blood? Possibly, but who will throw the first stone? Surely not a Trump supporter stoning their own.

The violence will come from the left

What planet does Leonard Pitts live on? Everything he accuses Donald Trump supporters of doing is being done by people he supports and follows.

He states Trump followers are filled with victimhood and entitlement. I don’t see the right protesting and causing violence for anything except, maybe, anti-abortion.

Trump supporters are angry and so are those who supported others who were running for the presidency on the right, and they have every reason to be. Americans have been lied to by the politicians and especially the media.

I will be more concerned about violence from the left, if Trump wins, than from the right if he looses.

This story was originally published May 12, 2016 at 1:25 PM with the headline "Sanders, Trump, media, violence."