Trump promotes a coarsened, abusive culture in America | Opinion

Trump promotes abusive culture

No one deserves to be abused, verbally, physically or sexually. Yet here we are in the United States watching daily on the news when our president verbally abuses news reporters, political opponents, minorities and pretty much anyone else he decides to abuse. We all stand by and watch him. We laugh at the comedians portrayals of it, but no one stands up to it. The president has also been found guilty of sexual abuse and accused of domestic violence. We are seeing first hand how abuse works. People are afraid to stand up to him.

Consequentially, in all systems, everything flows down from the leader. Therefore, the men and women in our society are being taught that there are no consequences for abuse. This is shameful!

What would happen if everyone present would stand up to flagrant abuse? If they would call it what it is: “That rude and unacceptable, please stop!” If we as a nation said that we will not tolerate verbal abuse from our leader. If we all agree that we will not stand for physical or sexual abuse and stop enabling the perpetrators, whether they are presidents, senators, priests, bosses, coaches, reachers, spouses or family members?

Patricia Alexander, Boise

Idahoans dependent on handouts

In many Idaho communities, a growing culture of handouts is taking over. More and more people are expecting to have aid handed to them rather than earning them, whether through financial support, housing help, food programs or general assistance. Many have grown to the lifestyle of everything being handed to them, expecting that others will take care of their problems while not being paid for it. Helping has always been a part of Idaho’s culture, and it should stay that way, but when help becomes a lifestyle instead of a stepping stone, there’s a major problem.

Our state was built on hard work and responsibility. Generations before us worked from the ground up, they didn’t wait for someone to carry them; they carried themselves. In today’s world, people are beginning to expect handouts instead of being self-reliant. Today, we risk losing that mindset as some lean heavily on what is given rather than using it as a foundation to improve their lives. Idaho will stay strong only if we remember that nothing is owed to us. We shouldn’t expect everything will be handed to us just because. A hardworking Idaho is a thriving Idaho.

Emma Scruggs, Twin Falls

End boat strikes

Can you believe that our country would blow up boats in the Caribbean and the Pacific on the assumption they are drug runners and members of a cartel? It’s true, and it’s horrible, right? I have very serious concerns about the attacks on these boats by the US military without clear evidence they are carrying drugs. Even if they are, the penalty for drug smuggling is not death. These boats could be carrying innocent fishermen. The point is no one knows and more than 80 people have been killed.

Thank goodness some United States Congress members are concerned. They are stepping up scrutiny of the strikes after a second attack appears to have unlawfully killed two people who had survived an initial attack early in September.

Of course, I’m against illegal drugs coming into our country. I’m also against blowing up boats in the open seas during peace time. Clearly this is a matter that should be investigated.We believe every person is entitled to their day in court. Call Sens. Mike Crapo and Jim Risch, and Reps. Mike Simpson and Russ Fulcher, and ask them to do what they can to stop our military blowing up boats in open seas.

Kayla Dodson, Boise

Salmon working group being ignored

It will soon be five years since Gov. Brad Little’s highly touted “Salmon Work Group” finished its work and handed him their recommendations for helping save Idaho’s wild salmon and steelhead.

On Oct. 2 Idaho Fish and Game published its annual report on salmon and steelhead.This scientific report contains the best information on how Idaho’s fish are doing.

On Oct. 3, the governor was notified by letter of this report, and it was suggested that he report these scientific findings to the Idaho public.

So, governor, how are the fish doing?

Not a word from the governor, his Office of Species Conservation nor the Idaho Fish and Game Commission.

Why not?

Is it because the whole Salmon Work Group idea was to give the Idaho public the illusion of political motion?

Or is it because, as reported in the official report on steelhead,” All the genetic stocks had adult -to-adult productivity estimates that were below replacement.”?

According to Idaho law, the governor is responsible for state response to endangered species and the Fish and Game Commission to Idaho citizens for our fish and game.

Keith Carlson, Boise

MAGA wrecking Idaho’s middle class

No wonder we can’t have nice things in Idaho: the MAGA Republican voters are hitting us with a double-whammy. Idaho MAGA Republicans have slashed taxes enough to save our little state of less than 2 million people $4 billion dollars. That’s no savings at all, except of course to the top 1% of Idaho households who got the lion’s share of the tax breaks. The rest of us would like better medical and mental health care, better safer roads and bridges, far more money poured into education and technical training for our youth, pre-K through college, better public transportation, help with housing, and many other uses that would better life and society here.

The other part of the double whammy is what MAGA Republicans did to destroy our government infrastructure via DOGE, tariffs, and that Big Beautiful Bill for Billionaires.

If Trump and the MAGA Republicans had run on this destruction, would the MAGA Republican voters still have voted for them? My guess is yes because they are blinded by the cult, as are the elected MAGA Republicans.

He’s almost a lame duck, then what? Who will the cult and the billionaire oligarchy support after him?

Dallas Chase, Boise

This story was originally published December 7, 2025 at 4:00 AM.