Readers write
America has gone too far right and needs a course correction
Re: “In Democrats’ ‘civil war,’ voters prefer moderates over progressives,” by AJC Contributor Carolyn Bourdeaux.
Carolyn Bourdeaux argues that “progressive” Democratic Party primary winners in recent months will endanger the party’s chances of winning midterm races and the presidency in 2028 because “they have run too far to the left on social and economic issues alike.”
The problem with this view is that in America, the Overton window of acceptable political discourse has been dragged so far to the right the last few decades that any position left of Barry Goldwater or Joe McCarthy is deemed “radical.” Nothing these recent candidates have said or policies they have supported would be considered anything but centrist in any other part of the world.
Universal health care? Dozens of other nations have it and have not wrecked their economies or worsened health outcomes. Making government work for ordinary people and not just for the “1%”? Other nations manage that as well. Restoring checks and balances and regulatory oversight in our federal government? How is this an “extreme-left” position in the wake of an administration brazenly violating statute law and constitutional provisions at nearly every turn?
Neither major party has done much to solve the problems we face today — and one of them has actively and intentionally worked to worsen them.
“Extremism” has been defined downward to the point where people like Bourdeaux are more worried about getting or staying in power than actually helping those who need help.
MATT G. LEGER, ATLANTA
Issues with USS Lincoln an indication of flaws unseen
The AJC recently featured an editorial by Rep. Derrick Jackson, a Navy veteran, (“American sailors on USS Abraham Lincoln deserve leadership, not neglect”) and a cartoon by Mike Luckovich (“SOS: Supply Our Ship”) about the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier.
Apparently, there was no drinking water and the toilets would not flush for 5,000 service members on the ship. That reminded me of my Marine Corps service at Camp Lejeune in 1974 when the drinking water was contaminated by dry cleaning fluid and weapons cleaning fluid.
Leadership is what makes things work. If the administration in Washington fires the experienced leaders, it’s no surprise to read these reports. Marine officers learn their most important job is to take care of their troops and accomplish the mission. We learned to not even address the troops so the sun was in their eyes but walk around so the sun was in our eyes.
It is not enough to claim to be the best if you cannot even provide your troops with water. That becomes an indicator of other flaws unseen. It’s time for the administration to have the sun in their eyes. I hope the voters in America will change this administration. Our troops deserve it.
DANIEL F. KIRK, KENNESAW