Letters to the Editor | July 13, 2026
Inquirer readers on primary election victories by progressive Democrats and the enduring importance of American values.
Social democrats
I respectfully disagree with Allan Lichtman’s op-ed regarding socialism in the Democratic Party.
Democratic socialism involves a respect for private property tempered by a generous, taxpayer-funded welfare state. By contrast, the current wave of progressive candidates believes in confiscation of wealth, class struggle, and an abiding hatred of “Zionists,” whatever that means. They are in spirit closer to left-wing populists than to social democrats of the Nordic variety.
The fear that these candidates will cause permanent damage to the party and the country is rational.
Michael A. Livingston, Philadelphia
. . .
As a lifelong Republican who has become politically homeless due to a racist cult hijacking my party, I read the piece by Allan Lichtman on the state of the Democratic Party with great interest. After the 2024 election, I was convinced the Democratic Party would take the wrong message from the results. Mr. Lichtman’s column confirms I was right. Somehow, the party has concluded that the path to victory is to move even further to the left. They are now being wooed by the siren song of socialism. Never mind that only the most enthusiastic voters in any party vote in primaries. James Carville knows that rational Republicans like me and centrist independents will never vote for a socialist. Ever. He knows we will never vote for a man with a Nazi tattoo. Ever. He knows the vast majority of the electorate finds the idea of “seizing the means of production” terrifying. He knows the vast majority of the electorate knows Hamas is a terrorist organization. Mr. Carville knows what Mr. Lichtman seems not to. These are wholly unelectable candidates on a national scale to the vast majority of the electorate. Mr. Carville is warning the party they are embracing these unelectable candidates at their own peril. He knows the truth. The party that should see people like me as gettable is choosing instead to leave us politically homeless?
Kenneth Rayca, Cinnaminson
More perfect union
As a retired social worker and active community volunteer, I have seen hardship. And although I am of modest means by most people’s standards, I am able to afford my housing, medical care, food, and a sense of security. I know how fortunate I am. I know because I see my neighbors suffer in crisis numbers like never before. They are at our community fridges, food pantries, and shelters in record numbers. Our cities are on fire, and floods rain down.
True leadership is not about power and greed. It does not measure value by creed, origin, race, or wealth. It is about knowing that every living person and creature has value and meaning, contributing to the health and well-being of our nation, world, and planet. I pray, as our esteemed Liberty Medal-winning Pope Leo XIV does, for a “recommitment” to American values.
Marilyn Frazier, Ambler
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