To the Editor:
Re “‘Trump Will Be Re-elected, Won’t He?,’” by Thomas L. Friedman (column, July 17):
I can only hope that the some of the leading Democratic candidates for president spend a few minutes considering Mr. Friedman’s request to “keep it simple.” There are many Democratic voters like me who are not asking for a revolution. What we need instead are common-sense policies that do not require a complete revamp of our economy.
The candidates must also understand before it is too late that the solution to nearly every problem they are trying to solve — be it health care, immigration or climate change — starts with getting Donald Trump out of the White House. Anything they propose that strengthens Mr. Trump’s hand, such as abolishing private health insurance or decriminalizing illegal entry into this country, is a step in the wrong direction.
Kumar Venkat
Portland, Ore.
To the Editor:
Thomas L. Friedman’s fear of President Trump winning re-election is justified. That’s why the Indivisible movement has gotten millions of activists to pledge to support the eventual nominee no matter who that is. We are all terrified.
But the idea that Democrats must choose between proposing bold, comprehensive solutions for universal health care, a humane immigration system and addressing the climate crisis or winning elections is a false choice. It’s also out of touch: Only those who haven’t been affected by the climate crisis, who have health insurance and who aren’t afraid of their community being torn apart by ICE can sit back and say we can wait to address these crises that are hurting millions of people across the country.
On climate in particular, we cannot afford to wait four more years for the big, transformative solutions. Delay at this point is no better than denial.
The way Democrats will win this election is through turnout of its base — people of color, women and young people — not through the conventional wisdom of pandering to a tiny proportion of swing voters with a moderate, uninspiring candidate. Look at 2004 and 2016; that’s a losing strategy. We need a nominee who will fire people up, mobilize volunteers and get people to the polls.
Liat Olenick
Brooklyn
The writer is a leader of Indivisible Nation BK, a chapter in Brooklyn.
To the Editor:
I agree with much of what Thomas L. Friedman says. However, I think we Democrats have to stop echoing Republicans’ attacks. For example, it’s true that taking away private insurance isn’t a great talking point and it isn’t going to happen anytime soon. But why focus on that?
Instead, we should respond to such attacks with: “What has the other side offered? Worse than nothing. They want to go back to the era when many people had no health insurance and no health care.” Republicans do not offer solutions to problems; they offer division and fear.
All the Republican talking points involve the same mantra: The Democrats are going to take stuff away from you, whether the issue is health care or immigration or taxes. The answer for Democrats is not to wring our hands and muzzle the left wing of the party. The answer is to call the Republicans on their fear-mongering, dishonesty and lack of ideas.
Peggy Brooks
Montclair, N.J.
To the Editor:
I implore Democrats seeking the presidency to heed Thomas L. Friedman’s advice. The majority of the Democratic Party is not left-leaning. It is quite moderate, in fact, and much of what I heard during the presidential debates in June will scare many voters straight into Mr. Trump’s arms.
It’s quite shocking, really, that a woman as razor-sharp as Elizabeth Warren, to give one example, doesn’t seem to grasp that. This country has gone completely off the rails in almost every way, and what we need before anything else is to get back on track.
Revolution is not the answer. Just getting things done to improve American lives would be radical enough for now.
Cathy N. Goldstein
New York
Source: Read Full Article
Home » Analysis & Comment » Opinion | Are the Democrats Heading for Defeat?
Opinion | Are the Democrats Heading for Defeat?
To the Editor:
Re “‘Trump Will Be Re-elected, Won’t He?,’” by Thomas L. Friedman (column, July 17):
I can only hope that the some of the leading Democratic candidates for president spend a few minutes considering Mr. Friedman’s request to “keep it simple.” There are many Democratic voters like me who are not asking for a revolution. What we need instead are common-sense policies that do not require a complete revamp of our economy.
The candidates must also understand before it is too late that the solution to nearly every problem they are trying to solve — be it health care, immigration or climate change — starts with getting Donald Trump out of the White House. Anything they propose that strengthens Mr. Trump’s hand, such as abolishing private health insurance or decriminalizing illegal entry into this country, is a step in the wrong direction.
Kumar Venkat
Portland, Ore.
To the Editor:
Thomas L. Friedman’s fear of President Trump winning re-election is justified. That’s why the Indivisible movement has gotten millions of activists to pledge to support the eventual nominee no matter who that is. We are all terrified.
But the idea that Democrats must choose between proposing bold, comprehensive solutions for universal health care, a humane immigration system and addressing the climate crisis or winning elections is a false choice. It’s also out of touch: Only those who haven’t been affected by the climate crisis, who have health insurance and who aren’t afraid of their community being torn apart by ICE can sit back and say we can wait to address these crises that are hurting millions of people across the country.
On climate in particular, we cannot afford to wait four more years for the big, transformative solutions. Delay at this point is no better than denial.
The way Democrats will win this election is through turnout of its base — people of color, women and young people — not through the conventional wisdom of pandering to a tiny proportion of swing voters with a moderate, uninspiring candidate. Look at 2004 and 2016; that’s a losing strategy. We need a nominee who will fire people up, mobilize volunteers and get people to the polls.
Liat Olenick
Brooklyn
The writer is a leader of Indivisible Nation BK, a chapter in Brooklyn.
To the Editor:
I agree with much of what Thomas L. Friedman says. However, I think we Democrats have to stop echoing Republicans’ attacks. For example, it’s true that taking away private insurance isn’t a great talking point and it isn’t going to happen anytime soon. But why focus on that?
Instead, we should respond to such attacks with: “What has the other side offered? Worse than nothing. They want to go back to the era when many people had no health insurance and no health care.” Republicans do not offer solutions to problems; they offer division and fear.
All the Republican talking points involve the same mantra: The Democrats are going to take stuff away from you, whether the issue is health care or immigration or taxes. The answer for Democrats is not to wring our hands and muzzle the left wing of the party. The answer is to call the Republicans on their fear-mongering, dishonesty and lack of ideas.
Peggy Brooks
Montclair, N.J.
To the Editor:
I implore Democrats seeking the presidency to heed Thomas L. Friedman’s advice. The majority of the Democratic Party is not left-leaning. It is quite moderate, in fact, and much of what I heard during the presidential debates in June will scare many voters straight into Mr. Trump’s arms.
It’s quite shocking, really, that a woman as razor-sharp as Elizabeth Warren, to give one example, doesn’t seem to grasp that. This country has gone completely off the rails in almost every way, and what we need before anything else is to get back on track.
Revolution is not the answer. Just getting things done to improve American lives would be radical enough for now.
Cathy N. Goldstein
New York
Source: Read Full Article