Register with a party to vote in primary; Bernie Sanders most qualified candidate

Thank you, Donna Hayes, for explaining the reality of a closed election state. Now all you independents know what you have to do to vote in the primary.

While some primaries are trivial events, this particular one is extremely important. Switching party affiliations -- you must be registered as a Democrat or a Republican before Feb. 16 -- is a 10-minute process. One can switch back to whatever after the primary.

So please make that effort, exercise your right to vote!

As far as which party to switch to, please look carefully at the candidates. This primary will determine our ultimate choice to lead the nation into a turbulent future. A combination of everyone labelling everyone else "a terrorist," ensuring a future of "war without end," and the reality of the fact that if we do not change our modus operandi, mother Earth will be irreversibly damaged, this combination has brought the world to a tipping point.

Which way America goes will be determined by the results of this primary. Everyone needs to be a part of this decision.

Contrary to Mrs. Hayes, I believe that the most qualified candidate is Bernie Sanders. What does he stand for? Unfortunately, traditional media is avoiding covering his candidacy. He is a threat to their bottom line.

A group of local Bernie supporters has created a series of open public forums, discussing the issues of our time, and just how Sanders proposes to solve them.

The next one, 6-8 p.m. Jan. 19 at the Palmetto Library, will focus on the "Role of Government." Two more in February, the 10th and the 24th at the Central Library (same times), will discuss "Rights and Freedoms" and "Justice for All."

We welcome everyone to participate in these discussions.

Jaime Canfield

Bradenton

This story was originally published January 16, 2016 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Register with a party to vote in primary; Bernie Sanders most qualified candidate ."