Vote for progressive values in California's primary 

California’s primary June 7 is now a forgone conclusion. The presidential candidates have been winnowed from 23 to five, and of those five, two are presumptive winners. Our votes will not affect the winners; we will not choose our party’s nominee. So be it.

We must vote! There are other issues and candidates to vote for, especially here on the Central Coast.

More importantly, those of us who were inclined to vote for Bernie should vote for Bernie. Hillary will win the nomination, but we should send her to the convention with California strongly supporting Bernie and his progressive values.

Hillary’s ties to Wall Street and big money interest will affect her decisions. How dumb does she think we are? Bernie has pushed her to the left for the last eight months, but she can do whatever she wants when she gets to the White House. Obama’s capitulation to Wall Street and the health insurance industry should be our guide. Politicians do what they want. They listen to the loudest voice, the one with the biggest (most expensive) bullhorn.

California’s loud voice for Bernie might give her a second of pause when she sides with big money; she might even lose a minute’s sleep after she sticks it to the American people.

-- David Deick - Atascadero