Big difference between left, right ‘extremes’

In his recent “Guest Commentary” Douglas Schoen writes of the “Two Way Dangers of Extremism” suggesting that the “right” and the “left” share, more or less equal responsibility for the lamentable state of American politics.

I am proud to be a left wing Democrat. I suspect that Mr. Schoen would consider me a “left wing extremist.” Actually my friends and I spend most of our political energies advocating for policies that are par for the course in most capitalist democracies: universal health care, gender and racial equality, workers rights, etc. — and promoting rather than undermining American Democracy.

We do this while right wing extremists are plotting the destruction of American democracy.

Under the leadership of Donald Trump, lies, misrepresentation, and hyperbole have become standard operating procedure for Republican leadership.

Over half of Republican Representatives and most rank and file Republicans continue to believe, contrary to all evidence, that the Presidential Election was stolen and are working to ensure a Republican “victory” in future elections regardless of the will of the people.

Schoen seems alarmed that some Democrats have made statements critical of Israel, while not mentioning the fact that Republican Representative Marjorie Taylor Green has suggested that California wildfires might be caused by “Jewish Space Lasers.” Republican views have intersected with lunatic conspiracy theories to the extent that it is difficult to tell them apart.

Democrats are modeling ourselves after FDR. Republicans are modelling themselves after Mussolini and Franco.

So, who ARE the extremists?

— Tom Reed, Chico