Democracy has 4 emerging threats: MAGA, the far-right, the Supreme Court & China | Opinion

4 biggest threats to our democracy

The most significant threats to democracy are: Donald Trump, the right wing of the Republican Party, the Supreme Court arm of the GOP and China.

Survival of democracy depends on politicians and courts recognizing enforcement of religious ideals cannot be embodied in laws.

Citizens who embrace MAGA must stop accepting the words of politicians and courts without research to verify their truth; America is already great.

The Supreme Court must ignore religious beliefs and base decisions on the rights of citizens granted by the framers of the Constitution.

To reduce the threat from China, we must stop trading with China by expanding our industrial capabilities to stop reliance on them; rely on our allies when necessary; expand our industrial capabilities as we determine the need for new items created by science; require American businesses residing in China to relocate to the U.S., and pay local wages and taxes being avoided by their greed for high profits.

We must also demonstrate our resolve to prevent Chinese domination of seas and air space by harassing them in the same manner they are harassing the free world.

Jim Tow, Richland

Vote in the presidential primary now

We are currently in the Washington State presidential primary election process, and registered voters should have already received ballots in the mail (if not, please check with county officials). Ballots must be delivered to the official drop boxes located around the county or postmarked by March 12.

However, most of us have busy lives, and we often put off turning in our ballot until the last minute. Unfortunately, many things can happen at the last minute that make it difficult to get your vote in on time. Our vote is the primary action we can take individually to ensure that our concerns are recognized and our candidate of choice receives our support.

Please take a few minutes today to complete your ballot. Depositing it in an official ballot drop box assures that it will go directly from your hands to county officials who will validate and count it.

Exercise your constitutionally-provided right to influence those who make decisions on your behalf.

Don’t wait until the last minute — tomorrow may be too late.

Tom and Cleda Galioto, Kennewick

Rebuild Gaza without Hamas

Hamas is a terrorist organization that emerged in 1987. Their charter calls for destruction of Israel and establishment of an Islamic society in historic Palestine. Hamas first employed suicide bombings in 1993 and has fired rockets and mortars, flown balloons carrying incendiary devices, and carried out incursions into Israel killing and kidnapping soldiers and civilians. Hamas stores its weapons inside hospitals, mosques and schools using civilians as human shields.

In 2006, Hamas gained full control of Gaza, and most of the international community cut off aid. Egypt closed their border with Gaza in 2014 and blew up most of their tunnels.

Today, Iran is one of the biggest benefactors of Hamas, contributing funds, weapons and training.

The Hamas assault on southern Israel began in the morning of Oct. 7 (during the Jewish Sabbath and two Jewish holidays). They launched several thousand rockets into southern and central Israel. Hamas militants infiltrated southern Israeli towns and villages, killing 1,400 people and decapitating many bodies, wounding and kidnapping scores more and setting homes ablaze.

Hamas needs to be removed from Gaza, the territory rebuilt, and then maybe peace and prosperity will have a chance.

Amy Small, Richland