Call me crazy — my wife often does — but I’m kinda chubby on Bernie Sanders. I certainly hope Hillary Clinton is taking copious notes.

I don’t know anyone — save for uber-wingnuts (of which Maine certainly has more than its fair share) — who would categorically dismiss Sen. Sanders’ key points. Healthcare for all? Sounds civilized to me. Perpetual war? Enough already, huh? Among our vast warfare hardware, we’re armed with a fleet of 11 aircraft carriers while we seem stumped to stifle ISIS armed with a fleet of Toyotas. Oh, and beheadings? The American middle class has been methodically beheaded while not a single Wall Street suit gets a striped suit and jail time so many of them deserve. Disgraceful.

Sanders claims to be a socialist. I’m not. I believe in capitalism —prosperity gleaned from hard work and applied ingenuity. Yet Sanders paints a mighty appealing picture of the America we used to be — and need to once again become.

Meantime, our national bitter and divisive discord spawned post-9/11 festers indeterminably. Racism is still certainly alive and well. Our infrastructure crumbles while we flail away in wretched Middle East hellholes as too many of those sent to do the flailing languish in VA hospital hallways trying to get someone’s attention. Shameful.

Enough also with “our freedom is at stake.” We’re free as hell — thanks to the aforementioned veterans who once fought only those necessary battles that were ours. Our country ails and our people suffer from unbridled greed, ruthless financial institutions — and the spineless politicians they orchestrate.

Do yourself a favor. Listen objectively to what Bernie Sanders is saying. Then tell me if you think (either) he’s crazy — or I am.

Buddy Doyle

Gardiner

Send questions/comments to the editors.

filed under: