Regarding “How Trump could pull off another election surprise” (Opinion, Aug. 10): Andrew Malcolm referred to “the Democrats’ simmering civil war over sane politics or socialism” and compared “the profound fracture between far left and establishment liberals” to that between the Tea Party movement/House Republicans’ Freedom Caucus and regular Republicans. It’s time to stop repeating this false analogy. Today’s progressives, from old Sen. Bernie Sanders to young Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who call themselves democratic socialists, might also be called New Deal Democrats. They are not “far left,” they are the descendants of former President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

If their platform seems “radical” to some, it is only because over the past several decades, the Democratic Party has gradually moved further and further to the right, chasing the Republicans way past the traditional “center.” So let’s get a grip. There is a healthy dialogue going on between centrist Democrats and center-left Democrats, all of whom are vastly preferable to their Republican opponents.

Leslie Wellbaum, San Francisco

Wishful thinking

Andrew Malcolm laments that if only President Trump was a completely different person and not a constantly lying bully, he might attract voters outside of his base. Most Democrats and an increasing number of independents are disgusted and horrified that a racist, lying bully is occupying the White House and will do everything in our power to get rid of him. Most Republicans excuse or ignore Trump’s deplorable behavior to maintain power, and appear to have no moral or ethical values. Malcolm hoping that despicable Trump is not really that despicable is complete and total wishful thinking.

Rachel Koretsky, Oakland

GOP economy

Andrew Malcolm’s main contention, “As Trump promised, the desultory economy that limped along during the Obama reign of error is now expanding beautifully,” beyond the cutesy pun, ignores the facts. Former President Barack Obama inherited an economic slump from former President George W. Bush that, had it continued, could easily have become a depression the likes of which we’d not seen since the 1930s. Obama’s careful stewardship of the economy brought it back it to life — jobs added, the stock market humming, manufacturing and all sectors of the economy were up, and unemployment was down, when he left office. Those trends continue (thanks Obama!), and President Trump has changed basically nothing, other than removing regulations, while lowering business taxes and taxes on the wealthy, which has absolutely had an exploding effect on the economy, namely in our debt.

The deficit, which was going down under Obama, is now going up, projected to be nearly $1.1 trillion. As usual, a Republican economy will take the gains made by a Democratic one, and turn it into a recession.

More Information Fare gate barriers Regarding “BART OKs new security measures” (Bay Area, Aug. 10): As one who rides BART twice a week, I am unreservedly in favor of greater security measures. I think that the most important proposal is to construct fare gate barriers. In New York, Boston and Paris where I have seen these barriers restricting access to the train platforms, there is little concern about security because only people with tickets will get access to the platforms and trains. An added police presence will also deter crime. Further, I do not agree with the American Civil Liberties Union and other civil rights activists that any of these proposals are racist. Violent crime affects all people regardless of race, color, creed, national origin or sexual orientation. Paul Sheeran, San Francisco

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Dave Scheff, San Francisco

Take a cab instead

Regarding “Watch out for these road warriors” (Last Word, Marshall Kilduff, Aug. 2): I ride a scooter around North Beach and downtown and am constantly on the alert for Lyft and Uber drivers who stop in the middle of the road with no signal. The other day, it was three cars within five blocks on Upper Grant Avenue. The only driver who attempted to pull over was straddling a crosswalk. Take a cab.

Janice Wood, San Francisco

Issues with meat

Regarding Impossible Foods’ Impossible Burger, which is only sold in restaurants, and the even tastier, Beyond Meat’s Beyond Burger and Beyond Sausage, found at Whole Foods and select Safeway stores; these are excellent companies, who are trying to save the planet. As it has been pointed out by climate scientists, if we could magically stop animal production today, we’d see a change in the environment. But other issues around eating meat come from the neurosciences; the manner in which we slaughter animals is a morality issue.

Then there are health issues, as meat is now known to cause heart disease and colon cancer. The World Health Organization says processed meats especially, but all meat has been associated with cancer of the colon. With junk science driving all of the high protein fad diets, the biochemistry is clear: Protein is a dirty fuel, the byproduct is ammonia.

James Masciandaro, San Bruno

A unique talent

Regarding “S.F. native is head of the old-school class” (Datebook, Aug. 9): Thank you to Beth Spotswood for her wonderful column about Kathy Holly. I’ve been fortunate to attend many of Holly’s performances and am so glad to see recognition of her unique talent.

She never ceases to make her audience feel happy in her ability to remain happy herself at every show. I had to smile at the quote where she said she is “an oldster” when, in fact, she is ageless!

Barbara Squires, Greenbrae

Cost of wildfires

Regarding “Climate program’s cost felt by oil firms, state’s drivers alike” (Page One, Aug. 9): The title and lead of David Baker’s article on the clean-fuel standard strongly emphasized the increased cost of gasoline that California drivers are paying, but it did not even contain a passing reference to the cost that all Californians are paying for climate change.

The largest wildfires in state history have resulted in multiple deaths, extensive property loss, and the closing of California’s crown jewel national park during peak tourist season. And we are trending in the wrong direction, because last year’s emissions increased. Someone reading the article alone might question the utility of the standard without this additional context.

Nathan Chan, Millbrae<QR>