Dear editor:
In a recent column, Dave Simpson writes, “[T]raditional (not insane) Democrats are being pushed aside by bat-guano crazy socialists and communists screaming about lunatic stuff like ‘ending’ law enforcement and closing prisons. They ascribe to the economic beliefs that brought down the Soviet Union.”
I am assuming Mr. Simpson is referring to the mayoral victory of Zohran Mamdani and the recent primary wins by Melat Koros of Colorado and Darializa Avila Chevalier and Claire Valdez of New York, all of whom are youthful, college educated, Democratic Socialists of America.
Nothing about their recent wins indicate an endorsement for communism—defined as where the means of production is publicly owned and controlled and private property is nonexistent.
Those who voted for them are not “bat-guano crazy” socialists who want to do away with law enforcement but are voters whose common element is the desire for a government that works for them, not just for corporations and the super-wealthy.
Being a progressive Democrat is not about any of Mr. Simpson’s wild claims and it’s more than the price of gasoline and forever wars.
It’s about affordable housing, education, child care and medical care. It’s about jobs that pay a living wage and having enough to live on when retired.
These are material benefits that most baby boomers have been able to take for granted.
Of equal importance it’s about social justice and having input into policies that affect young adults and their future.
The economic security that most baby boomers enjoy is the result Franklin Roosevelt’s New Deal, which has pretty much been destroyed by the past few administrations.
This country can no longer afford to enrich the one percent at the expense of young adults.
They are our future and deserve to be heard, not demeaned.
Sincerely,
Barbara J. Sowada
Rock Springs
