Reader Matt writes:
Let me preface this message and tell you that I am a socialist, earth-loving, big government hippy. I believe that health care should be a right of all Americans, that there should be public colleges that anyone (regardless of income) can get educated in the trades or acquire a degree with little-to-no money out of pocket, and that Social Security needs to be expanded so that we can all retire at a decent age (and squeak in a few years before we meet our maker), and not have to worry about paying the electric bill. I believe that every American that puts in a 40+ hour work week should not live in poverty, and that the billionaire class and mega-corporations need to butt-out of our electoral process and stop buying politicians. I’m also a gun owner, and I firmly believe in our Constitutional and natural right to defend ourselves against those that wish to do us harm . . .
You can see where I’m going here; I’m a Bernie Sanders fan. After the terrible violence in South Carolina, I received the following email from the Sanders campaign and I was pleasantly surprised to see it devoid of any kind of gun-control agenda.
“What transpired in Charleston, South Carolina, last night was not just a tragedy, it was an act of terror.
Nine of our fellow Americans were murdered while praying in a historic church because of the color of their skin. This senseless violence fills me with outrage, disgust, and a deep, deep sadness.
This hateful killing is a horrific reminder that, while we have made important progress in civil rights for all of our people, we are far from eradicating racism.
The Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church is one that has been attacked, burned, and rebuilt throughout its 200-year history. While their community mourns now, they will rebuild, and they will emerge stronger than before.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and their congregation. But we can add our actions to our prayers. The families and the community that have been hurt so very badly by this brutality need our help. Let us stand with them in their time of mourning.
You can help by making a donation to the Emanuel AME Church community today.
Thank you,
Bernie Sanders”
I understand that a lot of TTAG readers probably don’t relate to Mr. Sanders’ brand of “Democratic Socialism” and that’s fine. I just thought it was nice of the guy to not use this tragedy as a talking point about gun control.