America’s anger spawned by one man’s grievances | Letters to the editor
A reader sees America's angry mood as the direct extension of Donald Trump.
Why is America so angry?
The United States has been shaped by an ecosystem, fostered by Donald Trump, that values commercial profit, disenfranchisement and inequity over equal rights. Trump’s MAGA movement has produced distrust in American institutions and government.
This created chaos has spawned an environment that’s ripe to promote feelings of grievance. The result is violence and identification of minorities as causes of economic distress. In frustration, some look to dictatorial powers, or to a supposed populist like Trump, who promises solutions.
Germans subscribed to this mindless hysteria in the 1920s. I hope America remembers this history and does not repeat Germany’s mistake.
William Teat, Fort Lauderdale
Gone too far on campus
I am a great believer in peaceful protests, and I have participated in many over the years.
However, this has to stop. The pro-Palestinian protesters are covering their faces and causing destruction. Students are unable to attend classes, and these protesters are marching alongside those who are chanting “from the river to the sea,” and “kill the Jews”‘ (at Northeastern University) and “go back to Poland” (Columbia).
Why aren’t the so-called peaceful protesters breaking away from the antisemitic chants?
Joanne Goodwin, Pompano Beach
An idea for protesters
As a formerly proud Columbia University alumna (I have three degrees from the university) who has been stricken by what’s going on at its campus, here is my suggestion to those students who are demanding that the university divest from Israel and companies that do business with Israel.
Perhaps they should start by refusing to accept their financial aid packages. After all, they don’t know the origin of the money they receive, which, according to their perspective, might be tainted by “Zionist” associations.
Merri Rosenberg, Boca Raton
A senseless six-week ban
Exactly what does the new Florida six-week abortion ban do?
It allows those who have resources to travel out of state for a safe, legal medical procedure. It also forces those without resources (precisely the people who should not be having children) to either take matters into their own hands, or to resign themselves to having a child they either cannot afford or simply do not want.
If anyone sees the sense in this, please explain the logic.
Stacie M. Kiner, Hypoluxo
Don’t be afraid
On Jan. 20, 1961, John F Kennedy said in his inaugural speech, “Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.”
Those were good, motivational words coming from a new president starting his first term in office. However, words like those would not hold true in our world today.
In today’s world, we haven’t done right for our country because we don’t understand how to vote the right candidate into the office of presidency.
The other side of the coin: Our country is not doing right for us because chaos and anti-Americanism are now allowed to exist in our once peace-loving country.
Try to understand, our current Democratic Party is not the party that it once was. The name is the same because of the reliable devotees of the old party whose favorable support is expected.
The Democratic Party of today is too liberal and too distant from the party’s original ideals. Don’t be afraid to vote for new, better leadership. If you want to do something right for your country, you can start by voting carefully and correctly from this day forward.
Roberta Chaleff, Tamarac