Sanders, voters and unity

Vote, no matter what

Re “A selfless Sanders is our only hope” (Insight, May 12): I found Erika Smith’s point to be valid, crucial and worth reiterating. As a millennial “feeling the Bern,” I hope with every fiber of my being that Sen. Bernie Sanders earns the Democratic nomination, but American democracy does not always end like a fairy tale.

To Bernie supporters: If our man does not win the nomination, I implore you to choose the lesser of two evils and vote Democrat in this election.

A Donald Trump presidency could erase years of social and economic progress, and we have the power to prevent it. Remember the curmudgeon and do not be afraid to challenge the status quo.

Bernie’s a uniter, not a divider

Yes, Bernie Sanders’ supporters are idealistic and probably a bit too hopeful for his odds at instigating a political revolution. Nevertheless, one cannot ignore the merits of his message or blame him for division in the Democratic Party.

Perhaps the issue is the presumptive nominee. Hillary Clinton’s support of unjustified military aggression and her financial backing from the moneyed interests of American society do little to make her the people’s candidate. In contrast, Sanders has promoted civil rights for all, universal health care and affordable college education throughout his career.

How he is the supposed villain in the Democratic primary is beyond me. If anything, Sanders has united young Americans behind a populist alternative to Donald Trump’s racist babble. I only hope that more progressive leaders follow in his footsteps in coming elections.

Sanders better than Trump

Our country needs something new, not just gerrymandered old stuff. We want new cars, new houses and new clothes, so why is it unreasonable to want a new single-payer health care system, new pipes to carry clean water and new jobs rebuilding our crumbling infrastructure? Why shouldn’t we support a candidate who wants the best for our country instead of a candidate who is satisfied to continue with a cobbled-together health care system?

As to the radicalization of some of Bernie’s supporters, I ask you: Who’s been telling us daily that Hillary Clinton is not to be trusted and is generally unlikeable? Who has given Donald Trump unlimited coverage every day? It’s the media.

Sanders is rarely mentioned by the media, and the media has shortchanged him from the beginning. If the Democrats lose in November, look in the mirror as Trump becomes our new president.

Sanders not to blame for ratings

Erika Smith’s column was filled with fallacies aimed at blaming Bernie Sanders for Hillary Clinton’s poor favorable ratings. Sen. Sanders’ “followers” are free-thinking people who have a right to make up their own minds on who they will or won’t vote for.

Trying to accuse Clinton’s opponent of telling his supporters not to vote for her in the general election is ludicrous. Sanders was quoted in a town hall event saying, “We’re not a movement where I can snap my fingers and say to you or to anybody else what you should do. You make these decisions yourself.”

Sanders should keep campaigning

Erika Smith’s column was a vituperative attack on the millions who support a progressive platform, through a vile personal attack on Sanders. And this on behalf of defending the unity of the Democratic Party – an irony that seems lost on Erika Smith.

Clinton conceded to Barack Obama in June 2008. Why deny Sanders and his supporters the right to keep campaigning?

Sanders is not the problem

I saw this headline and thought perhaps The Sacramento Bee was running a pro-Bernie Sanders article. I was quickly disheartened. This column is nothing more than a pro-Hillary Clinton article.

I was at Sanders’ rally on Monday, but I saw a very diverse group of people, with respect to age and ethnicity. There were tens of thousands of people in attendance. I am not a millennial and have been a voting Democrat my whole life. However, I am tired of business as usual and want change. We need to make changes in this country, and the people want change. Young people are rallying behind Sanders because they still believe we can change things.

The DNC is driving a wedge between progressives and establishment candidates. People who are supporting Sanders are enthusiastic about the candidate, not the party. I will vote Sanders regardless of who the nominee is.

This story was originally published May 14, 2016 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Sanders, voters and unity."