Trump’s bullish governance calls Dems’ bluffs
Kearny, N.J.: The chaos President Trump is unleashing in his first couple of months in office — firing federal workers, closing agencies and threatening media outlets, colleges and law firms to bend them to his will — reveals the many opportunities Democratic presidents let go to waste.
On day one, Joe Biden could’ve shut down Trump’s vanity project, “Space Farce,” and cancelled Elon Musk’s multi-billion-dollar government contracts. Instead of showering the thieves of Wall Street with bailouts, Barack Obama could’ve shaken them down to make the homeowners and consumers they ripped off whole and overturned Citizens United. And rather than demonizing the poor and shredding our social safety net, Bill Clinton could have strengthened it. He also could have made peace with post-Soviet Russia and ended decades of high military spending, bringing us the promised “peace dividend.” All three of them could’ve used their Democratic majorities in Congress to raise the minimum wage, declare the anti-government militias that arose during their presidencies domestic terrorists, reverse the tax cuts for the rich initiated by their Republican predecessors, push for better environmental protections — and take control of our southern border and remove bad ingredients from our food (two of the sensible things Trump is doing). Instead, they did next to nothing to make our lives better.
When Republicans are in power, they do whatever the hell they want — which is everything for the rich and only bad for the rest of us. But when people get so fed up that they vote them out, Democrats do next to nothing. When they gain power, sadly, Democrats are as clueless as the dog that finally caught the car. John Woodmaska
Much ado about nothing
Clearwater, Fla.: Many of us, including me, would be overjoyed if Trump would serve a third term. However, getting the votes needed to amend the Constitution may be an issue. But if nothing else, it’s a genuine hoot to watch Dems get their panties in a wad at the mere suggestion. The leaderless party is having a conniption fit. JoAnn Lee Frank
Baseless arguments
Dumont, N.J.: To Voicer John Gelormino and other MAGA adherents: Use critical thinking based on facts instead of writing easily disproved, cherry-picked right-wing propaganda to support the gross incompetence of the Trump administration — in this case, the elite members of Team Trump who rode in the Trump clown car while sharing top-secret classified information with a news reporter. Your allegations about Rep. Eric Swalwell’s and Sen. Diane Feinstein’s interactions with Chinese spies are unequivocally unproven and nothing more than character assassination. And that was the conclusion reached after prolonged FBI, Senate and congressional investigation into those fraudulent allegations. MAGA proponents can’t name a single classified piece of information exposed to the public from Hillary Clinton’s email server — again, after intense scrutiny and investigation by the FBI led by Republican FBI Director James Comey. And please, MAGA Voicers, stop projecting Trump’s obvious dementia-senility condition. Josephine Kay
Looking for work
Merion Station, Pa.: Advertisement just spotted: “Position Wanted: Former decorated combat veteran with experience in military intelligence seeks career change. I’m capable of handling major responsibilities and confidential information but prefer working in an environment with limited oversight on quotidian activities. Though proud of my accomplishments, I’m willing to acknowledge past mistakes. I prefer working in Florida but will relocate to any state. Send replies to Mike Waltz, 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, D.C.” Paul L. Newman
Like kids again
Middle Village: I’d like to thank some of the political Voicers for making me feel young again. The name-calling reminds me of my youth when I was 10. Richard Ilardi
Eyes on the road
Oak Ridge, N.J.: Clearly, the Interstate 80 problem is a disaster. Why not get some of the dough Musk is saving and get the Army Corps of Engineers off the Jersey beaches where they are doing their rite of spring: useless sand pumping (everyone knows the first big blow and it’s back in the ocean), and fix the sinkhole problem? You can not honestly expect the economy to continue to hang on in the conditions I-80 is in; this is an interstate highway — people are driving trailers with goods to go to the East Coast ports and storage warehouses from California and have to deal with this? Where is our N.J. governor screaming for help from the feds? If it isn’t a federal disaster, it certainly is a state of emergency, no?! Jim Heimbuch
Inconsiderate commuters
Bronx: As an avid public transportation user traveling to and from work, I was always sympathetic to the elderly, disabled, pregnant or anyone in need of a seat on the bus or train. Nowadays, I see a lot of people who do not have that compassion. I am a 66-year-old woman with a knee injury who has to use a cane. When traveling, I have to begin standing at least two to three stops before my destination because it’s hard for me to walk. While standing and waiting for the train to stop so I could move closer to the door, here comes a young, able man who basically rushed me out of the way of the seat so he could sit down. I just can’t comprehend the rudeness. Waiting a little longer to get the seat will not hurt you. Stand and give the seat to someone who really needs it. Arlana Girven
Noble Knick
Brooklyn: Just wanted to send belated 80th birthday wishes to Walt (Clyde) Frazier. He was my all-time favorite player growing up. Besides being a great player, he is also a great human being. My friend ran into him a few years ago and was able to take a selfie with him. She said he was very nice. The first letter you ever published of mine was back in 1977 when I wrote how disappointed I was that he was traded to Cleveland, and 48 years later, I am still a loyal reader and still writing in. Dennis Burge
Live healthy, age well
Manhattan: Following a primarily plant-based healthy diet can raise the chances of healthy aging at age 70, according to a 30-year study of 105,000 people published last week in the prestigious journal Nature. The study defines the status of healthy aging as intact memory, lack of depression or other chronic health conditions, and ability to perform basic physical tasks like climbing stairs or carrying groceries. Sadly, it found that less than 10% of their subjects achieved healthy aging by 70. Our supermarkets offer a rich array of fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts, legumes and grains, as well as grain- and nut-based meats, milks, cheeses and ice creams. Most fast food franchises and family restaurants follow suit. All we need is the will to engage in healthy aging and raise that dismal 10% figure. Nelson Yancy
Mutual access
Long Beach, L.I.: For far too long, newspapers have not asked for the revenue they deserve and need to survive. Therefore, they have come up with creative means to stay afloat. The paywall, however, hinders people from educating themselves on issues and proposed solutions. And it makes it extremely difficult for writers to do in-depth research for articles because working-class people can’t afford multiple newspaper or magazine subscriptions. I beg newspaper and high-quality magazine editors — such as those from The Atlantic and The New Yorker — to agree on a universal fee so citizens can read any article in any newspaper in any state. Raising revenue and keeping citizens informed are not mutually exclusive. Daily News, please be a voice for the people on this issue. Dana Fuchs
Phones can help
Rochdale Village: Re “This high schooler backs a phone ban” (op-ed, March 31): While I generally agree that cell phone use should be restricted during classroom instruction, there should be a balance. In an emergency, students and faculty should be able to notify loved ones of the situation and their current status. While we have become far too dependent on our so-called smartphones to the point that it sometimes seems we have forgotten what it is like to interact face-to-face, we must not lose sight of the advantages the modern cell phone has brought, especially when it comes to overall convenience. Carlos R. Edwards
