When Trump’s former top generals say he’s a danger, we should listen | Opinion
Trump doesn’t respect military leadership
Trump hates the military. He calls them “suckers and losers.” Respected Generals who worked closely with Trump have told us their truth! Trump is not fit for office! Hundreds of Republicans, who know Trump say the same thing.
General James Mattis, worried that Trump would order a “nuclear strike against North Korea” and said he “slept in gym clothes in case of an emergency …”
General Milley says, “Trump is fascist to the core” and “is the most dangerous person in this country.”
General Kelly said trump fits the definition of fascism. Thirteen former Trump administration officials signed an open letter backing up General Kelly’s criticism of Trump.
Mark Esper warned that Trump “would invoke the military against his enemies.”
Who are his enemies? We already know he loves dictators, so his “enemies from within” are his target. An NPR investigation found “100 times when Trump said his rivals, critics, and even private citizens should be investigated, prosecuted, put in jail or otherwise be punished.”
I cannot believe any decent American would vote for fascism! Please vote for a moral, bi-partisan and Democratic way forward!
Melissa Zoe Souza, Pasco
Ready to work for Tri-Cities
The fastest growing area of Washington, the Tri-Cities, needs more effective representation by legislators that are forward looking. The majority party in the legislature are the Democrats. The incumbents, all of whom are on the ballot this year, are Republicans, and have little sway in the Legislature.
I am running for the 16th’s Senate seat against a one term incumbent who has little to show for that term. The Tri-Cities will benefit from having someone who will fight for our communities, particularly infrastructure projects. Business and agriculture depend on transportation, power, water and a skilled reliable work force. Capital projects aside, a reliable work force needs health care, education and child care.
Further, in the event Trump is elected, there is a high likelihood of deportations of immigrants, the people on whom all of us depend, who are a key part of the workforce. If this happens we will want someone who will do whatever is possible to minimize these draconian actions, rather than fall in line.
I will be at the table when priorities and budgets are set. Please visit electkariisaacson.com or see my FB page. I appreciate your vote!
Kari Isaacson, Walla Walla
Vote country over party
Trump threatens to use the FBI, Justice Department, military, and police to pursue his perceived enemies if elected. This list includes President Biden, Vice President Harris, General Mark Milley, Liz Cheney, journalists who decline to name sources, prosecutors and judges that ruled against him, poll workers, etc.
Trump calls our country the garbage can of the world. Our ancestors all come from somewhere else. He is insulting every single American. People immigrate here to make a better life for themselves, and to escape persecution or death. Haitian refugees escaped dire conditions in their failing country, and deserve our protection. Yet Trump continues to spread lies about them.
The 2020 election was free and fair, despite all of Trump’s illegal schemes to overturn the will of the people.
Trump’s actions directly aided 14 states such as Florida, Texas, and Idaho to severely restrict reproductive health care choices. Women are dying because of the decisions of these state lawmakers. Women are not, and should never be, treated as second class citizens with limited rights.
We as a nation must go forward with representation that values our freedoms and respects our laws. Please vote for the country over party.
Amy Small, Richland
Initiatives signs mislead voters
“Vote yes, pay less,” the I-2117 sign reads. Catchy, but true? I-2117, we’re told, will cut costs for low-income working people. What about the other three initiatives?
All four are sponsored by the same political committee: Let’s Go Washington, founded by millionaire hedge-fund manager Brian Heywood. If I-2117 is designed to save low-earners money, the other three measures should reflect or at least not conflict with this purpose.
How I-2066’s repeal of laws discouraging natural gas and/or promoting electricity use would impact low-income people isn’t clear. However, U.S. natural gas prices are likely to rise while electricity remains comparatively cheap in our state. I-2124 would reduce funding for our public insurance program covering long-term care. Low-income seniors, then, may no longer be able to afford this care.
I-2109 would decrease funding for, in part, early learning and child care. Where does that leave working families with young children? Moreover, it would repeal a certain excise tax for individuals with annual capital gains above $250,000. Who’s saving money here?
No, we aren’t seeing a consistent pro working-people stance, which calls into question the claim about I-2117. Let’s be wary of that sign. “Vote yes, so I can pay less” might be more accurate.
William Engels, Pullman
Abortion is against all 10 Commandments
You are born with a God-given conscience to know right from wrong.
As you mature you have the ability to make choices. Being human, often you make choices that aren’t in your best interest. You can make corrections, and repent and receive forgiveness.
However, you make a choice to have sex outside of marriage, and thus violate Commandment #7 of the 10 Commandments. You can repent and not do that again and receive forgiveness. But what about an unwanted pregnancy? Choice Time. Four alternatives present themselves: a) marry the partner if possible, b) put the resulting child(s) up for adoption, c) raise the child(s) on your own, thus taking responsibility, or d) save face to hide your mistake and violate Commandment #9 (bear false witness), by choosing abortion, going against Commandment #6 (not kill). You turn your back on God (Commandments 1-3), don’t attend Church ( #4), and go against your parent’s teachings (#5), having now violated 8 of 10 commandments.
Abortion costs money. Is their some way you won’t have to pay (#10, covet)? Yes! Through insurance or state law others will pay for your abortion (#8, steal). Congratulations, all 10 have been broken.
David Taylor, Pasco
Electoral College is failing Americans
The current edition of the Electoral College does not adequately represent the realities of a divided electorate.
The winner-take-all, under representation of minorities, is a dangerous circumstance in a representative democracy. No wonder 30-40 percent of our neighbors don’t vote, seeing no chance of making a difference. Added to the exponential growth of government, the abandonment of constitutional limits, and the current habit of “winners” salivating over the power grab of a “mandate”, remaking America in their own image, the average voter feels like they don’t stand a chance.
It makes no earthly difference if we are governed by the coasts, if we abandon the Electoral College, or today’s reality of a handful of other states. We must return closer to our Founder’s original vision for the Electoral College to work. And limited government. My vote hasn’t mattered for president for 25 years. This should not be.
Margaret Beard, West Richland
A vote for Newhouse is a vote for normalcy
It is time for voters in the 4th Congressional District to wake up, grow up, and become adults again. And that means standing up to the biggest bully in the playground- Lying Dopey Donald.
That is exactly what Dan Newhouse did, voting to impeach Trump following the January 6 riot. Newhouse shucked the cultic, sycophantic mass hallucination that has enveloped the Republican Party since Trump’s rise in 2015. Dan Newhouse sees Trump for what he is — a danger to this country’s democracy.
Jerrod Sessler has called the January 6 riot a “peaceful protest.” That reminds me of the Marx Brother’s line: “Who are you going to believe, me, or your own eyes?”
Voters in the 4th District: Shuck this mass hallucination surrounding Trump, see Trump for what he is and re-elect Dan Newhouse.
Judith Bishop, Kennewick