LETTER: Some Democratic candidates take soaking the rich too far

To Ozaukee Press:

 A socialist or a sociopath? That may be the choice for voters in the 2020 presidential election.

On the Republican side, President Trump continues to demonstrate an absence of compassion and intellectual curiosity. He is anathema to democratic norms and is locked in perpetual orbit through the stratosphere of his ego. Unfortunately, he has taken nearly half the country along for the ride.

Democrats also have issues, as some in the party espouse a platform offering virtually free health care, college tuition and child care and even a monthly stipend for every adult. The proposals go beyond merely soaking the rich; they amount to waterboarding them. An economic safety net is vital, but it shouldn’t diminish traditional virtues of self-reliance, individual initiative and personal responsibility.

Fortunately, there are candidates who understand the efficacy of centrist politics. VP Joe Biden, along with Senators Amy Klobuchar and Michael Bennet and Rep. Tim Ryan, have fleshed out policy positions that are equally progressive and pragmatic.

It’s easy for voters to be seduced by trillion-dollar plans offering a quick fix for wealth disparity or to be entertained by the chutzpah of Trump’s daily tweets; however, the middle lane is where most legislation gets passed. The alternative is continued gridlock, benefitting only the wealthiest Americans.

Greg Melcher
Port Washington