Letters to the editor: Presidential election

Editor’s note: The deadline to submit letters to the editor related to the elections is 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 23.

Trump

Twice recently I heard President Trump say, “When I am President........”. What is wrong with that statement? He is president and could fix whatever he is complaining about now. It’s like he wants to wait and see if he gets reelected. He quoted a story that he had heard about a group of black-dressed “thugs’‘ getting on a plane from D.C. headed somewhere to cause trouble. When questioned by the news person, he couldn’t give any more information but would explain later. For those who support him, you must know that he lies all the time. I will admit that I have a cross to bear due to having served numerous tours in Vietnam but that is a good enough reason to not like him. I had a lot of friends that were drafted who had more serious problems than bone spurs, which supposedly kept him out of there. Truth be known, none of them had Fred Trump to buy them out of the draft. So you loyal supporters be aware of what will happen if he is reelected. As I have stated before, I am a American first then party later. Stand up for our country.

Rex Robert McCoy, Boise

Biden

For over three years, I watched the state of our country unfold under Donald Trump and for many reasons, I want to express my support of Joe Biden. We witnessed corruption at the highest level when Trump was impeached by the House of Representatives for asking a foreign leader to “do us a favor,” to dig up dirt on a political opponent. He installed a top donor as Postmaster General, slowing mail delivery that could hamper voting. Trump ignores climate change and withdrew the U.S. from the Paris Accords, while lifting the ban on oil and gas exploration in the Arctic and Utah. COVID-19 has taken the lives of almost 190,000 Americans and Trump has demonstrated irresponsible leadership, foolishly hoping it will “magically disappear.” The economy is his primary focus, with the Dow more important than American lives. His claim of being pro-life is also questionable. In a 1999 NBC interview with Tim Russert, he said, “I am pro-choice in every respect.” It was only when he was going to run as a Republican did he switch to Pro-life. For our next President, Joe Biden would be a more honest, stable choice.

Timothy Reynolds, Boise

No more Trump

Idahoans, your love for Trump is passionate. You parade through Boise with Trump banners waving, flaunt your maskless faces, force your way into the Statehouse proclaiming freedom, and grocery shop with long guns. Have you ever considered what Trump is actually doing to improve your life? We’re not a rich state, so could use help in a few areas. Do you have adequate health insurance or a pre-existing health condition? Trump is trying to eviscerate the Affordable Care Act in the courts, which federal law is the source of pre-existing condition protection. Do you want your kids to learn the importance of being truthful? Trump’s lies are legendary. Do you want covid-19 conquered so our lives can get back to normal? Forget it. Trump refuses to lead us out of it. Do you want your kids to have a livable world in the future? Trump has been trashing our environment as fast as possible. Would you like to see our streets settle down so it’s safe to go downtown? Trump is encouraging violence so he can swoop in and make it look like he’s resolving it. So keep on loving this guy. Shooting ourselves in the foot is so Idaho.

Alyson Martin, Boise

Cheap talk

I fail to understand why people continue to support Trump. He possesses no admirable traits and certainly not that of honesty. He makes idle promises and doesn’t seem to care whether he keeps them or not. Talk is cheap, but it seems to be enough for his supporters.

For some of the Christian right, his stance on abortion and gay rights is, apparently, germain. Just because he says it, doesn’t mean he cares either way. He knows that it is what you want to hear.

Whether you believe in a woman’s right to choose or a gay’s right to wed; that is not the issue. If we legally prevent these actions, we are keeping these people from exercising their God given “free will.” That is a big no, no.

Bob Nahas, Eagle

Unfit for office

I have heard and read that people are voting for Trump, even though they know that he is unfit for office, because life begins at conception. Ok, I understand and respect that view. What I don’t understand is the fact that it seems to end at birth. The same party that claims to be “pro-life” is cutting back funding for after school programs and the snap program. They are cutting back environmental protections, so we may not have a planet that supports life soon. They are separating children from their parents at the border, and putting them in cages. Some children have died in those cages. They are against raising the minimum wage, to a livable wage, so that parents can afford to raise their children and provide for them. I am voting for Biden because I believe that life should continue past the fetal stage!

Michal Voloshen, Boise

Going low

How low is our president taking us? Recently, there were the bounties on our soldiers. Despite the outrage, our Commander in Chief delivered silence. Are our soldiers safe overseas? Has our president worked to end the issue? We do not know. Now, we hear that fallen soldiers are nothing more than “losers” and “suckers.” We can rightly conclude that our soldiers overseas are likely not safe and will stay in danger because our president may not deem them worthy of protecting. Do we agree? Do we expect families to send their children off to war while we chuckle behind our back about them being “suckers?” It’s time to decide who we are. It’s time for you to decide who you are.

Liz Hall, Boise, Idaho Veterans for Biden

Truman comparison

Harry S. Truman’s masonic moral code set his internal moral compass and even though he associated with questionable characters, the records show he was not guilty of immoral behavior.

His service in World War I was centered around keeping his men safe. In World War II his major decision about the “A” bomb was guided by his concern in preventing the deaths of millions of US soldiers and Japanese civilians.

President Truman made difficult decisions with the greater good always as the goal.

As we all vote in this election cycle, measure that standard against the present president.

Cause trouble, necessary trouble.

Jim Franklin, Meridian, Vietnam “sucker”

Deep state

I just finished reading the Opinion section of the 9/13 Sunday paper. Bob Kustra reviewed a book by David Rhode (In Deep: The FBI, The CIA, And The Truth About America’s ‘Deep State,’) Rhode “flips the “deep state” accusation Trump levels at the federal government. He suggests that if the “deep state” is a group of officials who secretly wield governmental power with little accountability or transparency, then Trump and his loyalists fit the definition of the “deep state: by creating a parallel, shadow government of like-minded loyalists who eschew transparency and democratic norms.”

Every time I hear Trump talk about a potential rigged election, it reminds me of the many instances that he has accused others (usually Democrats) of actions that he himself has either already done, is now doing, or is planning to do! So every time he makes a prediction or accusation, he may very well be making a public announcement of what he and his close associates are doing, have already done, or are planning to do. It’s no wonder that his advisors try to keep him on script since his adlib statements are so revealing.

Voters, are you listening?

Dottie Barrons, Boise

Churchill comparison

After reading “The Splendid and the Vile,” by Erik Larson I compared the recent six months of President Trump’s response to COVID-19 to Churchill’s response to the Nazi bombing of England (eight months with 45,000 deaths, compared to almost 200,000 deaths from Covid in six months).

Churchill showed courage of leadership with decisiveness. He engaged experts to double the output of fighter planes and organized citizens. He showed statesmanship to engage with President Roosevelt to bring allies to support the cause, without which Britain would fall to Hitler. He did not downplay the actual danger.

Trump showed the opposite of leadership, he refused a mask, meets in large groups, and refutes the experts with false claims of: ‘’kids don’t get it’’ and ‘’it will go away. He has not been honest about what he knew and when he knew it. As a result, no one is in charge, and political appointees undermine the medical experts. He deferred to the states with the result of fifty different plans, often jetting to Mar-a-Lago at great taxpayer expense.

We need a leader, not a creepy tweeter.

Phil Owens, Boise

Are we greater?

In 2016, Trump promised to make America great again. Look around you. Is it greater now than it was then? How can anyone think that giving this failed president another four years is a good thing? We have close to 200,000 deaths and millions of people unemployed because of his decision to downplay the Covid-19 virus. The western states are burning up because he ignored climate change. He disparages U.S. soldiers by calling them “suckers” and “losers.” There is rioting in the streets because Trump stoked the fires of racial hate. Trump claims to be the “law and order” candidate even though all of this violence occurred on his watch, not Biden’s. He refuses to take responsibility for anything. Like a petulant child, he blames everything on someone else despite the fact that he is in charge. No president has had more appointees indicted and/or convicted of felonies. Trump is praying for reelection so he doesn’t join them in January. The rest of the world is watching in disbelief as Trump fails in every respect. Wake up Trump sycophants! Vote Biden/Harris 2020!

Carol A. Benz, Boise

Drama and unrest

If I vote for Trump’s reelection in November it is because it does not matter that:

Trump has been impeached.

Trump kowtows to Putin.

Trump asked China’s president, Xi Jinping, to help him win reelection.

Trump has made over 20,000 lies or misleading statements.

Trump degrades those in the military who have served and died in the service of our country.

Trump accuses military leaders of putting soldiers in harm’s way in order to support weapon manufacturers.

Trump’s deception and mishandling of the virus has contributed to the deaths of nearly 200,000 Americans.

Seven of Trump’s associates (thus far) have been convicted of federal crimes.

Trump’s turnover among senior-ranking advisers is 91%.

Trump’s failed tax plan has contributed to a 67% increase in the federal deficit.

Trump’s unemployment rate is the highest in our lifetime.

Trump retweets racially charged posts.

Trump works to divide our country.

Trump is uninterested and incapable of pulling this country together.

If I vote to reelect Trump in November it is because I want four more years of relentless and numbing drama and unrest.

Timothy Rosandick, Caldwell

Mockery of the military

As a veteran of three tours of duty in Vietnam between 1968 and 1970 I understand two things clearly.

First, those who sent me and my brothers to Vietnam misused our patriotism, ordering us to fight in a war whose purposes they never understood. But second, they never called us losers, or suckers. They did not demean us. They spoke of us with respect; they honored our service.

A “commander in chief” who does not do that, but instead ridicules and trivializes our participation in our country’s wars, is not worthy of the office he holds. He makes a mockery of the troops, of the military, and of the chain of command whose top position he occupies.

Having worn the uniform of the United States proudly, I know that our troops would obey the orders of their commander in chief, even though he so flagrantly and shamelessly holds them in contempt. They would go to their deaths on the orders of a leader who does not value their lives. That would be the final insult.

On Nov. 3, vote to replace the current “commander in chief” with someone more worthy of the heavy responsibilities of that office.

Charles L. Yates, Caldwell

Leadership

I am a retired Army veteran with 28 years in service, including combat tours in VietNam and tours in OEF Afghanistan. I served in the White House as Senior Russian Translator for Presidents Reagan and Bush, Sr. I know what service to country is. And I know a real president when I see one. Trump is none of that. He dodges, distorts, and distracts. But he has no understanding of leadership. Trump has consistently lied and now 200,000 Americans have died. Does anyone in his right mind really want four more years of this dysfunction and debasement? Our war dead are called “suckers’‘ and “losers.” Our military are called war profiteers. I call on all patriotic Americans, and especially all veterans, to denounce this demagogue.

I am a Reagan Republican and I will vote for a true hero and fellow patriot Joe Biden.

Rob Pannell, Meridian

Trump is bad for the environment

As you vote, please consider the unprecedented assaults on our environment by this administration.

Trump put coal and oil lobbyists in charge of protecting clean air, water and public lands. He dismissed scientists and eliminated or left unfilled positions in the Environmental Protection Agency and Interior Department.

Trump has rolled back about 70 environmental regulations and rules and is working on about 30 more (NY Times, 7-15-20), including:

• Weakening vehicle fuel efficiency standards

• Rolling back regulations on methane and mercury emissions from pipelines and power plants

• Weakening the Endangered Species and National Environmental Policy Acts

• Rolling back regulations on lead in drinking water and dumping of pollutants

• Opening the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to drilling

• Reducing national monuments

• Rolling back regulations on chlorpyrifos and refusing to limit PFAS

He has called climate change a hoax which, aside from the human cost, has cost taxpayers $450 billion to fight fires, floods, and other catastrophes over the last 3 years.

These actions have long-lasting impacts which fall disproportionately on communities of color and low income.

If you care about future generations, please vote for Biden for President.

Elaine French, Ketchum, board member, League of Conservation Voters

Biden’s gaffes

Conservatives allege that the mainstream media reports falsehoods (Fake News). Conservatives also distrust the media for allegedly ignoring/downplaying stories promoting conservative ideals. My issue, however, is the media ignoring stories that reflect poorly on Biden. YouTube.com videos showing Biden’s mental decline and inability to answer questions unaided include:

Joe Biden motions to staff to change the teleprompter

Girl Refuses to Ask Biden Question She Was Told to Read Off Piece of Paper

Biden doesn’t know where he’s at

Biden Thinks he’s at His Re-Election Campaign

Biden says 150 million people have been killed since 2007

Estimated That 200 Million People Have Died from Covid

September’s Top Biden Gaffes & Bloopers

Paste each of the above into YouTube.com’s search window as well, then ask yourself if the mainstream media is giving a fair picture of Biden on which to base your vote.

I can’t wait for the teleprompter-free debates.

Chris Bolton, Meridian

Dems

SITUATION: The Democrats want to wait until after the election, then, and only then, according to them, will a fair SCOTUS choice be able to be made. TRANSLATION: give us the opportunity to confirm our liberal judicial activist nominee after winning control of congress in the election.

To accomplish this, and beyond, the Democrats are trying to energize the younger voters, but do those voters understand how they are being mislead with partial facts and misinterpretations of current events? And with their social media driven lives do the younger voters even know about events beyond their limited smart phone exposure? That’s what is scary about this election – the purposeful misleading of the unwary over a cliff, just like the lemmings.

With President Trump what you see is what you get. With Joe Biden what you don’t see is not so silently lurking in the background, ready to pounce.

Michael A. Civiello, Boise

Right over might

I was raised in the Southern Baptist Church and my grandfather was a Southern Baptist Minister. My awareness of the instructions Jesus gave us before he left is very acute.

He asked that we would take care of the sick and old, the poor, the widows and of course the children!

Trump is killing existing health care plans with no viable replacement. He is already working to eliminate the safety nets of Medicaid, Medicare and Social Security!

He is separating children from their parents and putting them in cages.

Tax cuts are only for the already wealthy and corporations. There is no hope for an increase in the minimum wage!

He has slurred the men and women who gave their lives in defense of our country!

He has stolen money from the fund set up for 9-11 casualties!

He says he is against abortion, but is also against birth control and the many positive aspects of Planned Parenthood!

He is guilty of many illegal practices such as money laundering and using his office for personal gain.

He is a traitor to this country as evidenced by his dealings with Russia!

Vote for right not might!

Odos Lowery, Boise

One person, one vote

I’m an Idaho resident currently residing in Kauai. There is almost no coronavirus on this island. Yet everyone here strictly observes masks and distancing requirements out of concern for themselves and their fellow citizens with a few notable exceptions. Yesterday, I was driving through Kapaa and there were about 50 Trump supporters gathered closely together on the street waving signs at passing vehicles. Of course, if they are Hawaii residents, their votes for Trump will be a wasted effort since Hawaii will vote for Biden. They will be disenfranchised because of the anachronistic Electoral College. The same is true in Idaho for anyone who casts a vote for Biden since the majority in Idaho will vote for Trump. It makes a shambles of the principle of one person, one vote. As we saw with the last election, a candidate can win the popular vote and still lose the election. I don’t believe that it is a fair process. It also sets up the battle for so-called swing states while the rest of us are virtually ignored in the so called safe states for the candidates. It is past time that the Electoral College is abolished! Every vote should count!

Robert S Bruce, Eagle

Embarrassment

I am a political independent. I do not want to add to rhetoric. But as an American, I am beginning to feel embarrassed. Let’s face it, all presidents have been far from perfect. History shows that some have accomplished more good for our country and the world than others. The reality is that our current president has accomplished much with regards to world affairs, economics and trade. Most hard-working minorities will agree that their lives have gotten better. But his greatest legacy will be what he HAS accomplished despite the hate from half of our country. Despite the bias from the press. I am embarrassed because of what this election cycle has turned out to be. There are no other ideas about how things can be managed better. Just that “it will be better.” Does half of the country believe that capitalism is wrong? They do. We all know that it has taken decades to instill socialistic views into the minds of our youth. How many young adults truly understand history? But it is always a pleasure to meet one that does. So now, half of America is “going for it.” Time to rise up in any way to make The Revolution successful. Now, some say that they will not accept a defeat. Are they saying that they will declare a violent Civil War to save all of us? I do think that is what they mean. So let’s try something more “peaceful” just like the protesters..... Most of us know that immigrants must take a test before gaining citizenship in order to vote. So shouldn’t all Americans take the same test in order to vote? Nah, then there would be a landslide.

Greg Jarossy, Boise

Politicians vs. statesmen

“Statesman” — a virtuous leader, one who puts public good above partisanship. Are there any statesmen left in the U.S.?

“Statesman” is a term one doesn’t hear so often anymore. But it’s worth a revival.

A politician uses power to promote his own good, while a statesman uses power to promote the common good. A politician is primarily concerned about advancing his own political career while a statesman is primarily concerned about advancing what is best for the people he serves.

A politician looks forward only to the next election. A Statesman looks forward to the next generation Thomas Jefferson

We hear a lot about politicians but not enough about statesmen. People think of a politician as someone having one primary objective -- to get elected. The general view of a statesman, however, is of someone interested in the common good of constituents and not his own ego. An example of a politician is a person running for office who flip-flops on issues as the polls change. The politician makes promises but may not deliver on them once elected. A statesman is a person who stands by his ideals and does everything in his power to do what he believes is right for the people of his country.

The skills of a politician and statesman are similar, what largely separates the two are interests in power and morality.

Statesmen vs. politician - statesman is defined as a person skilled in the management of public or national affairs. Statesmen lead. They don’t bow to pressure. John Adams once said: “Always stand on principle even if you stand alone.”

Take a moment to ask yourself before you vote this year and consider if the candidate you are voting for is a politician or a statesman who is putting the public good above partisanship.

Nancy Geissler, Boise

Lying

As a child I learned never to tell a lie. A lie was the ultimate sin. And to tell a lie required multiple ways to atonement in our household: grounding, writing “I will never lie”, 200 times, no dessert for a week, etc. I learned that one could never trust a liar. TRUMP.IS.A.LIAR. ‘Nuff said.

Vivian Klein, Boise

Biden

Please think seriously about your health when you vote for president this year. As a resident of Boise and McCall (and former medical director at Saint Alphonsus and professor of medicine and public health at Johns Hopkins), I would like to share my expertise in predicting the two major candidates’ likely impacts on your health. Donald Trump has made clear that he favors eliminating the protections that the Affordable Care Act (“ObamaCare”) provides to people with chronic conditions and/or low-incomes, and he would prefer to downsize the Medicare program for people who are older or disabled. Tragically, he has failed to protect more than 190,000 Americans from death from a viral pandemic. Joe Biden favors strengthening “ObamaCare,” expanding Medicare and managing pandemics scientifically, as most of the world’s developed nations have done. Clearly, a Biden-Harris administration would be better for your health. Regardless of your political affiliation, please prioritize your health (and the health of your family and friends) when you vote this year.

Chad Boult, Boise

Chaos and discord

Before casting a ballot every responsible voter must candidly assess the state of our Union. The electorate can no longer vote for Trump on the basis of prior litmus-test issues. Abortion, immigration, judicial appointments, the economy are all important; but their importance pales compared to the existential threat our society and democratic institutions will confront with four more years of Trumpism.

Both Putin’s Russia on the left and domestic white supremacists on the right are reveling in the chaos and discord wrought by Trump’s presidency. In their view, our president has done more to divide the nation and sow revolution than any other modern American leader. This must stop now if our children and grandchildren are to live and prosper in a constitutional democracy.

Ralph Sims, Eagle

Debate alternative

After four nights of lies and distortions during the Republican National convention and 3 1/2 years of Trump lies, I have concluded that a debate between Biden and Trump would be an exercise in futility. Debates depend on a modicum of honesty. Trump has lied more than 20,000 times during his presidency and the pace has been increasing lately. I do not expect him to behave any differently in a debate.

As an alternative, I suggest that the networks give the time to each candidate individually so that they can present their positions on topics such as COVID, climate change, healthcare, racial justice and gerrymandering. As a citizen, I am eager to hear what each man would do about these and many other critical issues of our time.

Let’s hear what each candidate actually thinks rather than being presented with a spectacle which ends up being mainly an opportunity for commentators to opine about which person landed the best punches.

Robin Butler, Boise

Biden

If you are not convinced to vote for Joe Biden, think for a moment what we will get if he loses to Trump. Four more years of the current administration and all that it represents — poor leadership, disregard for our Constitution, cronyism, racism, destruction of the environment, and interference in our voting rights — the list goes on and on. A vote for Biden means the return of compassion, honesty, integrity, and experience to the White House and to our national leadership.

Sally Blackwell, Boise

Listing ship

“Our ‘ship of state’ (The United States of America) is listing dangerously from damage inflicted by a dangerous enemy who has discovered how to torpedo our cooperation with and civility towards each other. The ‘captain’ of our ship (President Trump) is, unfortunately, a ‘friend’ of the ‘captain’ (Vladimir Putin) of the ship that is torpedo-ing our ‘ship of state’. We must change to a ‘captain’ (Joe Biden) who recognizes our situation and knows, from experience, how to ‘right’ our ship! “

William Brudenell, Boise

Republican for Biden

My mother’s family has voted Republican since shortly after the party’s founding in 1854. Her ten siblings were scattered across the nation, with a couple living for decades in New York City, yet regardless of location they remained Republicans.

Mom believed in the four Cs: courtesy, compassion, civility, and community. Not all behaviors beginning with the letter C pleased her, though. She particularly disliked people who cussed or were coarse.

If mom were alive, I can state categorically that she would cast her first non-Republican vote this fall and mark the ballot beside Joe Biden’s name. She would vote for Joe because he is a gentleman, a man who embodies each of the four foundational characteristics she admired. There is nothing about Joe that could possibly be defined as “coarse,” and best of all, he cares about others.

Jinx A. McAllister, Boise

Republican Party

I was raised in an Ada County Republican home. I learned that the party believed in values that were more alike than different from those of the man who my mother married who was an Idaho County Democrat. My parents could have civil discourse at the dinner table and still stand by their party platforms. Those days are long gone under a president who has stolen the Republican party from my mom and those who try to continue to support the party when it has little resemblance to the one this “red” state once valued. The president has changed his party affiliation 5 times and without any other reason than to win. His lack of party conviction has never been more loudly demonstrated than Wednesday when he endorsed QAnon, a “deep state” conspiracy group that suggests that children are being eaten and trafficked from pizza parlors. His support comes with the hope that its members will support his re-election bid. The Republican Party I grew up in and the members that hope to retain the foundation of the pre-Trump party are understandable without a clear direction of what to do. I suggest that rather than jump ship, throw Trump off.

Cathy Nuxoll Brown, Boise