To the Journal editor:

I keep hearing that Democrats are so busy opposing Trump that they are failing to say what they are for. OK. Here are a few things this Democrat favors.

Job creation. That’s done through strengthening demand by putting money in the pockets of the middle class, not by giving obscene tax cuts to the rich. Universal healthcare. No one, especially a child, should die because they can’t afford medical care.

A minimum wage that enables people with full time jobs — including food service workers — to pay for basic food, clothing and shelter. A progressive tax code, where the rich pay their fair share.

Properly funded traditional public schools. Keeping Social Security and Medicare intact. Effective border security, not a $25 billion dollar wall. Sanctity of the ballot box, no gerrymandering, secure voting procedures and protection of our electoral process from outside interference.

A strong, but not wasteful, military; some of what we spend has less to do with national security than with lining the pockets of defense contractors. An effective but humane immigration policy.

Deport bad guys, but quit ripping families apart by deporting people who’ve been here since age two. A free press. Clean air and water. Job training for workers displaced by globalization or by the changeover to renewable energy.

Getting big money out of politics. And a U.S. representative who, unlike Jack Bergman, is beholden to his constituents, rather than to a handful of major donors.

And a president who sets a good example, tries to unite instead of dividing, and doesn’t make policy by tweeting.

You may disagree with any of (this). If you’d like to have a civil discussion about it, I’m all for it. But if you just want to shout “lock her up” and “Benghazi!” I don’t think we’re going to get anywhere.

Tom Gutowski

Elmwood Township

Leelanau County