To the editor:

When I read a tirade like Clarice Dengel’s October 24, 2026, letter, I don’t know whether to laugh or cry. Her words repeat absurd falsehoods and distortions about progressive positions promoted by Trump and his MAGA allies. Contrary to what she implies, progressives like me love this country and support the institutions and traditions that made it strong, principled and an example to the world.

Unfortunately, Ms. Dengel has accepted the right’s false claim that progressive programs benefiting Americans–from Social Security and Medicare to Head Start and the Children’s Health Insurance Program–are socialist and therefore bad, while corporate bailouts and ownership of American companies by the government are somehow capitalist and therefore good. She also accuses progressives of embracing violence while overlooking right-wing violence, including the assault on the Capitol on January 6 and attacks on peaceful protesters in Charlottesville and at Trump rallies.

Ms. Dengel also seems to accept the administration’s claim that it arrests and deports only the “worst of the worst.” Yet ICE has removed many hardworking, honest residents who were valued members of their communities and were targeted solely because of their skin color.

To answer Ms. Dengel’s question: I love America at least as strongly as I oppose Trump. I demonstrate that love by supporting candidates and causes that uphold our constitutional principles and advance the policies–including welcoming immigrants, supporting the needy among us and investing in scientific research–that made this country the envy of the world.

Marty Bregman,

Lawrence