Readers React: Bernie Sanders’ supporters aren’t just ‘mad as hell’ -- they like his policies too

To the editor: Why do people support Sen. Bernie Sanders for president? You quoted people saying they’re “mad as hell,” that they feel “resonance” and that they think he’s “for the people” and has a “heart.” This is not news. Any candidate’s supporters would say the same about their preferred candidate. (“Why a huge Los Angeles crowd turned out for Bernie Sanders,” Aug. 11)

I find it hard to believe that no one at the rally Monday at the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena mentioned any of the policies he proposed there: taxing millionaires and billionaires to pay for free university education, funding public works programs, strengthening Medicare, granting 12 weeks of paid parental leave, two weeks of paid vacation and free healthcare (policies that would, by the way, look unremarkable or like cutbacks for most Europeans). He also said he was against starting a war with Iran and that he supports unions, raising the federal minimum wage and providing a pathway to citizenship for immigrants.

Could it be that what appeals to people is his platform? Isn’t that what democratic decision-making is supposed to be — citizens voting based on knowledge of a candidate’s policies?

Nina Eliasoph, Los Angeles

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To the editor: The candidate whom pundits “give no chance of winning the nomination” is drawing thousands of young, enthusiastic people to his events.

In fact, those who say Sanders can’t win are the very people who are terrified he will win.

It is time we stopped looking to the lesser of two evils to lead our country and elect someone who actually can lead. We need new directions, not more of the same old stuff.

Louie Duran, Claremont

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To the editor: If Sanders is unable to win the Democratic nomination, he should run anyway as a third-party candidate. I don’t want to see Hillary Rodham Clinton elected president either.

Patrick M. Dempsey, Granada Hills

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