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To the editor:
A revenge presidency can never succeed in the interdependent world in which we live. But Donald Trump denies reality. His vengeful presidency will hurt most people, Americans and others, and kill many. Trump doesn’t read much, but here is some wisdom about revenge that I’m sure he never read or believes:
“Living well is the best revenge," the English poet George Herbert wrote. And the American clergyman Douglas Horton counseled, “While seeking revenge, dig two graves — one for yourself,” while Albert Einstein said, “Weak people get revenge, strong people forgive, and intelligent people ignore.”
It’s becoming clear that unprincipled and demented revenge by Trump against the few is revenge against the whole of American society. Consider the plunging stock market, the rising prices, the loss of allies and hostility against America around the world.
In less than three months, unrepairable damage has been done to our nation, vis a vis the world order and survival that may not be reversed or repaired.
If the American people and members of Congress don’t reject Trump and his Project 2025 puppet masters, our nation may never recover, and our great historical experiment in democracy will end.
Michael J. Gorman
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reenjoe
Thankfully, Trump had no choice but to put his tail between his legs, capitulate to market realities and put his ill-conceived tariffs on hold today. We'll see what happens 90 days from now. If Trump once again sends the market on another up-down rollercoaster, then it will be obvious that he and his rich friends are simply manipulating the financial system to make a killing.
Wednesday, April 9 Report this
JDonne
In your letter, you claim that a presidency driven by vengeance, exemplified by Trump’s, could have detrimental effects on Americans and the global community. You assert that it could lead to irreversible damage to the nation’s global standing and potentially jeopardize the very foundation of American democracy. However, your letter appears to be politically motivated propaganda that is heavily biased and lacks substantiation. You have failed to provide any concrete evidence or facts to support your outlandish claims and fictional narrative.
Wednesday, April 9 Report this
reenjoe
JDonne, you want concrete evidence? At the end of Trump's first term, Pew Reasearch conducted 16 surveys of international opinions on "confidence" in the U.S. President. They found that only 17% of respondents said "yes, they have confidence". That jumped to 75% when Biden took office. I would give long odds that when Pew repeats their surveys in the coming months Trump will do even worse.
Yesterday the head of the European Central Bank said Trump's erratic on again/off again tariffs have eroded world trust in the U.S. Dollar. U.S. treasury bonds took a nosedive sending bond rates through the roof. The prospect of the federal government needing to pay double-digit interest on its' borrowing is what led Trump to reverse course yesterday on tariffs.
Thursday, April 10 Report this
JDonne
Donald J. Trump’s second term commenced with an ambitious vision of global peace and prosperity for all Americans. In his inaugural address, he highlighted the need for economic revival, bolstered security, and reaffirmed America’s leadership on the international stage. Trump pledged to prioritize American interests while simultaneously promoting peace, a stance that the Biden administration, in four years, failed to accomplish. In fact, the Biden administration’s legacy is marked by an increase in wars and bloodshed, economic turmoil, internal strife, and rampant inflation. Consequently, due to the Biden administration’s mismanagement of both domestic and global affairs, Donald Trump secured a resounding victory in the 2024 presidential election.
Thursday, April 10 Report this
reenjoe
JDonne, Typical conservative, MAGA response. You say provide "concrete evidence" that Trump will "damage the nation's global standing" and when faced with that proof, you change the subject. International confidence in the U.S. president sunk to 17% the last time Trump held office. I submit it is even lower now.
The people in Western democracies are both laughing at us and no longer trust that America can be relied upon to promote western values like democracies and respect for internationally recognized borders. Suggesting that we will invade Panama, Canada, steal the Gaza strip and Greenland does not "promote peace" or "reaffirm America's leadership on the international stage". It just makes us look like bullies and jerks.
Thursday, April 10 Report this
namrogm
Thanks, reenjoe. Good points. I can just imagine what the Trump cult would be saying if Presidents Obama and Biden had been governing the nation as convicted felons.
Thursday, April 10 Report this
krell1349
I would not say Trump won a resounding victory. Or a landslide. As for his handling of the economy I believe we're headed for higher inflation or worse, a recession. He was left with a strong economy by Biden. Look at what he is doing to the markets. People's retirement funds are way down due to his fascination that tariffs will solve all our problems. We're now the laughingstock of the entire world.
Friday, April 11 Report this