Letters From the July 29-August 5, 2019, Issue

Our Readers

There’s One Heresy That Sets Bernie Apart From All Other Dem Contenders to Unseat Trump

And it’s not simply that he calls himself a socialist.

Greg Grandin

The Class Politics of the Civil War

By naming a common enemy—the privileged class of slaveholders—the Republican Party and Union Army were able to build and then steer a coalition of Americans toward the systematic destruction of slavery.

James Oakes

Gay Pride Doesn’t Mean Gay Liberation

LGBTQ visibility is crucial, but it shouldn’t be confused with LGBTQ rights.

Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor

The Case for Staying on Earth—With or Without Musk and Bezos

Why should we listen to zillionaires who want to abandon ship?

Katha Pollitt

Adam Gopnik and the Cul-de-sac of 21st-Century Liberalism

In his new book, the New Yorker writer sets out to defend liberalism from its critics, but only ends up revealing its current limitations.

David A. Bell

Trump’s Attack on Working People Demands a Bold, Progressive Response

Piecemeal reforms won’t do the job.

Katrina vanden Heuvel

Letters From the June 17-24, 2019, Issue

Lee Carter: ‘Your Elected Representative Is Part of the Problem’

This week on the Next Left podcast, the Virginia delegate who isn’t afraid to be called a socialist.

John Nichols

Trump’s Plan to Deny Benefits: Pretend People Aren’t Poor

By redefining poverty, millions fewer people would be able to take advantage of lifesaving programs.

Bryce Covert