To the Editor:

Like many across America, I’ve become very tired of politicians of both parties talking out of both sides of their mouth. On the one hand, they promise voters that they will create jobs, bring about a better health care system, put laws in place to curb pollution and so on. Next thing you know, they‘ve become cozy with their corporate donors and the rich get richer and pay fewer taxes. Our country gets mired down in useless wars and the health care and criminal justice systems remain broken.

 But there is an alternative candidate for President who has a different view of things — U. S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, a Vermont independent who is running as a Democrat. Unlike other candidates, Bernie refuses to align himself with any Political Action Committee and instead relies on small individual donations. A self-described Democratic Socialist, Bernie wants to introduce America to a new way of looking at capitalism.

While there are those who fear the term “socialist” and think it’s the next thing to a communist, Bernie isn’t interested in starting a red, Marxist-style revolution. He simply wants to bring about a more humane way of looking at capitalism. Bernie’s plan calls for a more equitable tax structure in which the rich are taxed more and corporations will pay significantly more for initiatives that will benefit the poor and middle class. This is only fair and equitable.

Additionally, Bernie wants universal health care for all, a living wage, large investments in infrastructure that will create jobs and promotion of initiatives to promote sustainable energy programs to rid our nation of dependence on fossil fuels.

Bernie recently appeared in Greenville, S.C., and a group of Jackson County supporters attended the rally. There is a movement to get him to Asheville. To learn more about the local campaign to elect Bernie and to find out how you can get involved, join the Facebook page “Jackson County & Westward for Bernie 2016.”

Betty Dishman

Sylva