May 28 – To the Editor:

Huge crowd greeted Bernie Sanders a few days ago. Why is there such widespread enthusiasm?

Because Americans on the left and right are fed up with the new status quo: a government owned and controlled by the very richest few. And of course there is anger. In 1776, when we fought the war of independence, it was to free ourselves from this very thing. Instead of a government of, by, and for the people, the people today are left out. The billionaire class, as Bernie Sanders calls it, sees what’s supposed to be our government as their wholly owned subsidiary. That must be changed.

Back in 2010, much of the legitimate anger at the near total destruction of our democracy looked to the Tea Party as a way to channel this populist energy. But then it was cynically manipulated by a few rich and powerful for their own interests.

Bernie Sanders is the real thing. It would be a mistake to underestimate Bernie Sanders. The conservatives who best know him, folks from VT, strongly support Bernie Sanders.

There are a lot of contenders for the presidency, and unlike other candidates, Bernie Sanders is an open book. Bernie Sanders knows more of the same-old same-old isn’t going to cut it. The concentration of wealth and power has done way too much damage already: we need much more than just poll-driven political talk, he offers specific, real solutions. For example: knowing how crucial education is to our economic security, Bernie Sanders will lift the huge unnecessary debt burden our college students now must bear.

I doubt anyone but Bernie Sanders will stand up to the biggest banks which have caused so much unnecessary damage to so many by their irresponsible gambling. He really connects with folks.

Bernie knows there is a huge amount of work that needs to be done to fix our aging infrastructure, and that there a millions of Americans hungry for work. It’s not all that complicated.

And Bernie knows wholesale government spying on American citizens is unacceptable.

Many of us remember there used to be a large middle class in America. Our founders warned us not to become a nation of a few super rich and many without means, yet there we are. Bernie knows any trade deal must serve our interests. He has taken a leadership role in the Senate on climate change issues which undermine global stability.

His strength is that Bernie Sanders campaign is deeply rooted in the great American tradition of populism, a long suppressed but powerful sentiment in America. Both parties have shunned populism, in fear of upsetting their Wall Street backers. Not Bernie! Bernie will bring back the middle class we remember so fondly. Bernie Sanders has earned his reputation as a straight-talker, his policies are sensible and actually get to the root of our problems and opportunities.

That’s why there is so much excitement building for his campaign. Our party nominations are owed to no one, no one is entitled to them, they have to be earned. What wins nominations and the presidency is enthusiasm, and Bernie Sanders has it.

The billionaire class is not going to invest in his campaign, he needs all of us. I hope you’ll join the excitement; go to berniesanders.com.

Burt Cohen

Former state senator

Portsmouth