Great reasons to stand for Bernie Sanders

To the editor:

The problems that our country faces are difficult and complex. I'm supporting Bernie Sanders because he is the only candidate who has consistently shown the personal integrity, ideals and plans to solve these problems.

He supports a fair tax system that makes the most wealthy and corporations pay their fair share, including a tax on Wall Street speculation. Banks 'too big to fail” would be broken up so that we don't have to bail them out again.

His plans are practical and affordable so that everyone in the middle class gains essential benefits of a more ideal society:

Health care for all, as in every other developed country. Health care is a right, not a privilege.

As a physician, I have known many people who have suffered illness because they could not afford or did not have adequate insurance for medical care. It was disingenuous for Hillary Clinton to say that Sanders wanted to tear up Obamacare and completely start over. He wants to expand Medicare as a single payer system, which would be much more cost-effective, as bargaining for less expensive drugs.

Action to stop climate change to avoid massive devastation of our environment, which is ultimately the basis of our world economy.

Free public education including college to prepare us to compete in the 21st century world market.

Expansion and stabilization of Social Security, promotion of racial justice, women's rights, and comprehensive immigration reform.

Caucus for Sanders because he will serve all of us, not just the wealthy few.

John Macatee

Iowa City