To the editor:

Michael Gerson’s opinion piece on Saturday equates Donald Trump’s ceasing to pursue the common good in his appeal to “racial resentment, his embrace of white grievance, his demonization of migrants, his abandonment of democratic ideals, his misogyny and xenophobia, his cruelty and menace” as no better than the Democrats’ appeal to “democratic socialism” and an opportunity to overreach similar to Trump’s view that as president he can do anything. He fears that a progressive Democrat would increase “social and political chaos.” The only example he gives is universal health care. Now, really.

For those veterans who use the VA system, they can get an MRI if ordered or drugs if on the formulary (there are rules for drugs that are not on the formulary) at minimal cost and without an insurance minimum wage telephone operator denying the doctor’s orders. Gerson has apparently not had a relative in dire need of medical care that 1) they couldn’t afford or 2) that was not available on their plan. Are Americans ready to accept “structural change from a radical and divisive figure” (like Sanders)? He says not. I’m not so certain. Universal health care has become a social good. Social movements have led to birth control, a career following training, and friends and colleagues of color. Complaints can be invigorating but they do not lead to solutions. It seems to me that “democratic socialism” is far less pernicious than the resentment and grievances offered by the opposition.

Stu Nowlin,

Lawrence