To the Editor:

Re “Is the Sanders Agenda Out of Date?” (Op-Ed, June 16):

Mark Schmitt argues that Bernie Sanders’s agenda won’t shape the future of progressivism in America because his proposals are out of line with the thinking of new progressives, who are focusing on building on the Affordable Care Act rather than substituting a single-payer health care system; increasing capital requirements at big banks rather than breaking them up or restoring the Glass-Steagall Act; and giving workers more security in the gig economy in addition to raising the minimum wage.

They also want to push companies toward sharing more profits with workers rather than redistribute income through the federal government.

In reality, the future of progressivism lies in Senator Sanders’s ideas and all these others. They’re not mutually exclusive. But none of them have a snowball’s chance unless we reverse the increasing concentration of income, wealth and political influence at the top.

Wealth and power are inextricably connected. That was Senator Sanders’s central message. The first step for progressives, therefore, must be to mobilize the vast majority of Americans to reduce the power of big money in politics.