Trump too abrasive; Sanders a sound fit

In my opinion, Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump is arrogant and coarse and caters to the prejudices of his admirers.

However, I do understand Charles Mishk, who expressed in his March 7 letter that Americans are fed up with the establishment (“Beware, established presidential hopefuls”).

I certainly am, but my choice is Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders, who definitely does not follow the normal political rules. He does not receive any funds from Wall Street, but instead from the average man and woman. He has won the enthusiastic support of many young voters, as well as middle-class citizens.

I was very annoyed when Madeleine Albright and Gloria Steinem stated that women must vote for Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton. I happen to be a female senior citizen and feel that men can also fight for women’s rights. How many know that Bernie’s wife, Jane O’Meara Sanders, was president of Burlington College? I am not in agreement with all of his proposals, but do believe that he will work with Congress better than the present president. His political life is untainted and his focus on America first before intervening in foreign wars is sound.

We have seen the effects of our intervention in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as the negative impact of the Arab Spring. I urge Democrats to vote for Sanders in the primaries on April 19.

Gloria Ghedini

Pleasant Valley

Assembly plan would curtail government scandal

We have been hearing scandals about state legislators on what seems to be a daily basis.

Many have begun to lose trust in the people who are supposed to be our representatives, and something needs to be done in order to begin rebuilding faith in state representatives.

I agree with state Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie when he says there needs to be assurance that the people who are in the Assembly are there to be representatives for the people first and foremost, and not for their own personal gain.

The proposal by the Assembly Democrats to “limit lawmakers’ outside income” seems to be a valid idea in taking a step toward regaining the trust of New York state citizens. Being that it was their own leader, former Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, who was convicted for receiving kickbacks, it seems as though the Democrats in the state Assembly are trying to start fresh by earning back their good faith with the people.

Heastie’s plan, though more moderate than Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s proposal, is still restrictive enough for the Republicans in the Assembly to oppose it. While Republicans do not want any restrictions on the incomes of representatives, there is a fundamental flaw in their perspective: If the citizens whom they represent do not have faith in their representatives, what role would the Assembly have?

Something needs to be done to prevent further scandal in government, and with Heastie’s proposal, the people’s trust in the state will simultaneously be rebuilt.

Nandaki Bonthu

Poughkeepsie

Nutritious cafeteria foods are better for students

I am a student at Arlington High School. Within the last few years, the government has required that schools only serve healthy food in their cafeterias. Many students are not happy with this change because junk food has been taken away.

I am very happy with the change because I like eating healthy food and know it is good for my body. I have also found that whole wheat bread is something you get used to and you don’t even miss the white bread and the other unhealthy items they stopped serving.

The change in foods offered in the cafeteria has made students more aware of good choices. It is very important that teenagers eat healthy and watch their weight. It seems like there is less obesity among my friends since this change was made. Being fit can help you for the rest of your life.

John Pillsbury

Arlington