Unfit to govern

After the deplorable acts and conduct in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, President Donald Trump should immediately be removed from office and his co-conspirators (namely Sen. Ted Cruz, Sen. Josh Hawley and Rep Louie Gohmert, along with the others who objected to the election results) should resign effective immediately. They have proved themselves unfit to govern.

I’m an ex-Republican who is appalled at our president and the cowardice of his enablers.

Rick Gunter, Carrollton

Of course they’re incensed

Although I don’t see businesses being burned or looted, it is sad to see things come to this over the election. People are just so darn fed up with the way our government is functioning that it is boiling over.

Our mainstream media has contributed to this pent-up anger by ignoring any legitimate concerns of conservatives, so voters do believe they have been marginalized. I believe a task force for election integrity is warranted and a national standard must be implemented.

I pray nonviolence happens, but people are incensed that they are labeled morons if they question anything Democrats do. May God have mercy on our nation because it is coming apart at the seams.

Anton Skell, Plano

What will Trump do next?

How low can President Donald Trump go? First he communicates with the Georgia Secretary of State, urging him to “find” enough votes to overturn the presidential election results in Georgia and declare him the winner of that state’s electoral votes. Then Wednesday, he incites a mob of supporters to go to the Capitol and express the belief that the presidential election was stolen. This results in the death of at least one person, the injury of police, the destruction of government property and the disruption of the Senate and House agenda.

It should be noted that Trump has two more weeks to work his magic. The question then is: What more can he do to wreak havoc on the country?

James E. Wells, Irving

Intolerable behavior

Regardless of their “cause,” the protesters — actually the rabble-rousers, ne’er-do-wells and rioters — in Washington, D.C., employed despicable and abominable methods to express their dissent. It’s curious, however, that the media and politicians gave assent through their noticeable silence for the same or worse behavior of “protesters” in Seattle, Portland, Kenosha and elsewhere where protesting gave way to looting of millions of dollars of merchandise and fires set to destroy public property and private citizens’ livelihoods.

Rioters, looters, arsonists etc., are criminals regardless of their cause. Yes, our society is broken. But it can’t begin to heal until politicians, the media and we as citizens condemn and stand intolerant of such behavior regardless of the cause.

Steve Massey, Plano

Utter horror

Over two years ago, I called for us to remember common decency through this forum. This message was echoed by President-elect Joe Biden on Wednesday during the unfolding news of the U.S. Capitol building riots.

On that note, I don’t want to hear anything about liberals or conservatives, Republicans or Democrats. I am just watching in utter horror at the state of the Union. I just want this nightmare to end.

Preston Losack, Carrollton

Shameful decline of U.S.

At 72 years old, I never thought that I would say this, but I am ashamed to admit that I am an American. This country was once a leader of democracy and a beacon of hope for repressed people around the world. But in four short years, we have gone from beacon to laughingstock.

The events of the last couple of months coupled with the storming of the U.S. Capitol and the tumult caused by President Donald Trump and his cult of followers have shocked the world and destroyed American credibility, perhaps for good. Our Founding Fathers aren’t just turning in their graves, they are spinning like tops.

Sandra Bakkethun, Krum

Rethinking Republican support

I’ve always considered myself an independent although leaning heavily Republican. I’ve watched the efforts by President Trump, Sen. Ted Cruz, Sen. Josh Hawley, et al., over the past few weeks to try to reverse the results of a legitimate election. On Wednesday, I watched with horror the mob scene at our nation’s capital — a scene driven in no small part by those efforts.

I’ll have to think long and hard about that Republican support in the future. My fervent wish is for all sides to back up, tone down and relearn the art of conversation and compromise. The alternative is frightening.

Adrian Raymer, Hickory Creek

Stoking embers of anger

I hope the Republicans finally understand what they have allowed to be seeded and encouraged by President Donald Trump. Republican leadership is urging calm now and calling these rioters wrong. Where were they when Trump continued to feed the embers of anger for years?

Jenny Haynes, Dallas

Keeping hope in my heart

I’m guessing I’m not the only one watching this with tears in my eyes, an ache in my heart and yet hopeful because I know our country is stronger than these cowards.

Perri Brackett, Lewisville