True populists care for common people

The movement that exhorts the rights, values and virtues of common people is the definition of populism. And right now, populism has only gained momentum across our world. It is hard to argue against. It appears to be a logical extension of democracy. It advocates a sentiment that power and privilege are negative attributes. And, combined with nationalism and capitalism, the current populism wave is contrary to its own definition.

Global issues should be paramount to populism - arresting climate change, eradicating extreme poverty, advocating equal rights among all people as well as providing societal services such as health care, education and a clean environment. However, in the here and now, populism is fueling corporations, xenophobia and the suppression of speech. I ask "Will the United States of America be a safer, more equal, more compassionate nation in four years or will our nation be a shallow, isolated community of people bound and tethered to the notion that measuring greatness comes from competition instead of cooperation?"

If populism should define the United States (and Earth), populist leaders should stress the environmental, financial, medical, transportation and schooling needs of common people.

Willis Lambertson

Barrington