Opinion: The Democrats were routed on election day. In what world aren’t they in a crisis?

To the editor: Contrary to David Greenberg’s take on the recent election, Hillary Clinton’s loss looks “contingent” only if we ignore Republican control of Congress and their takeover of the Supreme Court on the horizon. Republicans now claim 33 state governors and control most state legislatures as well. (“Why the Democrats don’t need an overhaul,” Opinion, Dec. 11)

Greenberg’s writing exhibits clear symptoms of a fatal illness in the Democratic Party. Like an obese smoker with a drinking problem, the establishment Democrats’ lifestyle of Wall Street coziness and so many other unprincipled compromises have led them to this critical state of illness.

The diagnosis is a fatal combination of complacency, torpor and myopia.

Sam Coleman, Fountain Valley

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To the editor: While I mostly agree that the Democratic Party’s policies were certainly not rejected by the public, once again the media and our political leaders have gone past the election results to talk about what the party might do better instead of focusing on the main problem: how we choose our president.

They should be harping upon it continuously, shouting we have to find a way to do away with or circumvent the electoral college. Clinton received about 2.8 million more votes than Donald Trump, and her supporters will be impacted by the lawmakers they voted against because of an anachronism.

After the 2000 election, little was done to change the system, and 16 years later, it happened again. This time, let’s act to get the people’s choice elected president.

Michael Russnow, West Hollywood

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To the editor: The Democrats lost because of one reason: They ran with a bad candidate.

In this day and age, a political organization built over years may produce a viable candidate, but that person may be completely wrong for the moment when the election finally occurs. Today, campaigns can be built in months.

It is important to proffer candidates who are right for the present, not years ago.

Mike Feinman, Costa Mesa

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