Blame is misplaced

Dear Editor: Don’t blame Donald Trump voters. Of course, some were motivated by his obvious appeals to racists and white nationalists. But many voted for Barack Obama when he promised to change the rigged system, and again for Bernie Sanders when he vowed to do the same.

Most Trump voters just wanted to smash an economic system that only benefited the richest Americans.

Blame the billionaire-funded Democratic Party that couldn’t offer an alternative during its last 16 years in the White House. Hillary Clinton, backed by the major corporations and Wall Street, would have been more of the same.

Blame many of the nation’s unions, so corrupted that their leaders long ago gave up on strengthening the working class. Now unions are pockets of protectionism that are resented by most blue-collar workers.

Blame many of the college professors and the nation’s intellectual class, so comfortable with their salaries and fearful of change that they support the kleptocracy.

Blame much of the nation’s media, always reflecting the views of the privileged few. Hillary was the media’s first pick, then came Trump. Bernie’s revolution wasn’t covered at all.

Trump will destroy what is left of the public good, draining the Treasury to make billionaires even richer. Health, housing, decent wages and unions will all give way to a police state.

People are finally taking to the streets. This time we won’t let a morally bankrupt Democratic Party steal our momentum. We will have change despite the corporate-controlled parties. Fred Nagel, Rhinebeck