Trump is wrecking the White House, and not just the East Wing | Opinion

Trump destroying White House in more way than one

President Donald Trump’s destruction of the East Wing of the White House is a metaphor of the destruction of our federal government. Our White House and government belong to the people of the United States.

We do not want our White House to be renovated into a Mar-a-Lago D.C. with the nauseating fake gold glitter and a big, ugly, oversized ballroom. The fact he destroyed a significant portion of the White House and our own Federal Government with no Congressional oversight is par for the course. Our Congress and Supreme Court no longer represent the people of the United States.

According to the White House Staff all of these “renovations” were funded by Trump’s billionaire pals. The billionaire-funded rape of the “Peoples House” is a harbinger of our future — a future where billionaires will be our government and rule our lives. Say goodbye to our federal lands and parks, clean water, clean air and affordable health care.

Everything we need for survival will be controlled by our billionaire elite and every aspect of our lives will be exploited for profit. Forget about life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Our future is death, slavery and the pursuit of survival.

Kurt Smith, Boise

No Kings unites us

Millions of Americans are marching in No Kings to protest Trump’s unconstitutional acts, his federal overreach, mass immigration sweeps that tie-up everyone, even kids, and troops being deployed to Democratic-led cities. Protests are peaceful, yet Trump calls them terrorists, America haters, agitators and Marxists — propaganda to divide us.

Trump is growing his military power. He is using protesting as a reason to increase military police. Protesting is legal; military police are against the Constitution. Trump may use lawsuits against his domestic use of military to invoke the Insurrection Act. Tremendous destruction is right before us. Our lives are in danger. Trump is not Christian or Republican; he is a fascist, and he’s covertly setting up his regime.

When Trump removes his mask, everyone will know Trump and his elite men are “invaders from within,” not immigrants, drug smugglers or D. Opposing ideologies — liberal democracy, anti-fascism, communism, socialism, will be forcefully suppressed. Total control of private enterprise and society will follow. Dissenters (protesters) and undesirables would be killed. Withdraw from the US military, political parties and the pretend government. The Federal government is gone. If states do not break away from the charade, they will get mowed down when it falls.

Moriah Uhlig, Hagerman

Government shutdown will leave my daughter without food

I am a disabled mother in Payette with a 1-year-old daughter who depends on SNAP benefits. Because of the government shutdown now in its fourth week, my November benefits won’t load. Forty-two million Americans face this crisis.

Sen. Mike Crapo blames Democrats for demanding over $1 trillion in spending. Democrats blame Republicans for refusing to negotiate. Trump’s administration notified states on Oct. 9 that SNAP wouldn’t come but hasn’t prioritized resolving this.

I don’t care whose fault this is. My child needs to eat.

Congress has voted ten times to reopen the government and failed every time. Food banks cannot handle 42 million people. When SNAP stops, families like mine have nothing.

Every official has the power to end this today. Republicans can compromise. Democrats can pass a clean resolution and fight later. Trump can demand action.

You cannot use our ability to buy food as political leverage. You’re telling millions of mothers that partisan victories matter more than children eating.

My daughter is one year old. She doesn’t understand politics. She just knows she’s hungry.

Pass a funding bill before Nov. 1.

Sarah Collins, Payette

Keep Bradescu off the council

I do not want Lynn Bradescu on the Boise City Council. She is running for the city council seat in District 6, currently held by Jimmy Hallyburton.

I have not wanted Bredescu since her huge sign, “I Will Fight for You”, appeared on State Street. Fight?

The Boise City Council is characterized by careful consideration and cooperation. Differences of opinion always occur among talented, educated people now on the City Council members, but they consider issues and govern by consensus. I refuse to vote to throw a “fighter” among them. Boise is not the Legislature, with its fierce divisions and shutdowns. It runs best when “neighbors,” not combatants, sit on the city council.

Political parties have their uses but not at the city level. Bradescu is a precinct committee person and legislative district chairperson for Ada County Republican Central Committee. The Republican Party is infamous for telling its members how to vote, regardless of their personal experiences and beliefs. The current city council members vote as individuals, Bradescue would bring partisan politics into the Boise City Council. The political divisions we see in legislatures would be downtown all year, not just from January through March.

Janelle Wintersteen, Boise

Support open space levy

I’m a Boise mother, mountain bike coach, wildland firefighter, and public land enthusiast voting yes for the Boise Levy on the ballot Nov. 4.

The political divide in our country and the way it plays out in Idaho has been painful to witness. Where I find hope in bridging that chasm is that Idahoans love our public lands and open spaces. Born-and-raised or transplanted Idahoans can all agree, whether you enjoy our open space by OHV, bicycle, ski, paddle, horseback or foot, with binoculars for sustainably providing game in your freezer or adding another check-mark to your birder’s life list in the Audubon book, we have a duty to protect our open space with the same fierceness we endeavor to enjoy these public spaces.

Here in Boise, for roughly $40 a year for two years, your yes vote for the Boise Levy will reduce wildfire risk, improve rivers and creeks, and expand parks, pathways, and trails for everyone to enjoy. Please join me in voting yes so that Boise can continue to be an epic place to raise our children, and we can be proud of the community we are passing on to the next generation.

Courtney Madigan, Boise