Letter: There is reason for hope in this presidential race

Many of us are dismayed that Donald Trump will be the Republican candidate for president. We are puzzled by this astonishing development, and we ask why would any rational person support an egotistical bigot such as Trump? Perhaps the answer is that Trump supporters are responding to the emotions that Trump adeptly arouses — fear, hate and frustration.

Although there is reason for dismay in this presidential race, there is also reason for hope. Think of the millions of people, mostly our next generation, who support the ultra-rational Bernie Sanders. And although it is likely that Hillary Clinton will be our next president, it is also likely that we will eventually have free college, and all the things that the richest country in the world should provide for its citizens. To pay for these things, Sanders knows that through social democracy we must increase the size and wealth of our middle class, rather than our upper class.

But Bernie and his social democracy come just a little too early for most of the current electorate. However, there was that improbable little bird.

This story was originally published April 13, 2016 at 8:39 PM with the headline "Letter: There is reason for hope in this presidential race."