In these times, hope is an act of resistance

The United States is on a path to destruction like we’ve never seen.

Decades of progress are being violently dismantled by a handful of men acting like schoolyard bullies. What happened to them that they are so cruel, vindictive and dishonest?

They’re alienating trade partners, slashing critical jobs and institutions, and aligning with other authoritarian governments.

None of this is helping our economy, lowering prices or making us great.

If you care about education, biomedical research, transportation safety, disaster relief, our national parks; if you want elders to get their Social Security, the poor to get medicine, and your children to have a future; if you want all humans to be treated with dignity and care — now is the time to speak up. They want us to feel powerless, to be overwhelmed, and they want us to be silent — while our infrastructure, country and worldwide reputation are obliterated.

Whether you didn’t vote at all, voted for Donald Trump, or voted for someone else, now is the time to speak up. Your silence equals consent.

Thank those in Congress who are pushing back and let the rest know what you think, and how you’ll vote next time — if the vote is still intact.

To quote the Greek stoic philosopher, Epictetus: “You are not some disinterested bystander … Exert yourself.”

Stay in community and take care.

There’s still joy and beauty in the world. There’s still connection. Hope is an act of resistance, too.

— Joan Gabriele, Boulder

Privatization of USPS and Amtrak not a bad idea

I’m probably as dismayed and upset about the current administration’s approach to “fixing” government as anyone living or dead. Ready, fire, aim doesn’t lend itself to stability or certainty, to be sure. I do, however, tend to agree (subject to further inspection) with Elon Musk’s “suggestion” about privatization of the USPS and Amtrak. In the former case I have felt such was needed more than two decades ago. And I’ve ridden Amtrak to Glenwood Springs. It was only “okay.”

Now watch: I’m likely to receive hate mail. From myself.

— Greg Iwan, Longmont

Trump is ruining the U.S.

Late last month, in the Oval Office Trump invited Vance and staff to speak with Zelensky. It was a horrific disaster with Trump and Vance shouting at Zelensky because he did not say thank you. But he did and he thanked Biden, Congress, etc. for the donations of aid to Ukraine to fight against the war with Russia.

Putin will not admit that Russia invaded Ukraine, as he said it was Ukraine who started the war with Russia.

Trump will not go against Putin as he apparently considers Putin as his god and ally. So the shooting match started and they did not allow Zelensky to speak. It was ugly. Ugly because Trump and Vance cannot act as leaders of the United States in a respectful way.

At this time, Trump has sided with Russia and left the European countries to carry on alone.

Elon Musk and his “Muskrats” have entered classified areas with much personal information on citizens, businesses, etc. He has fired thousands of federal employees instantly without finding out what their role in their jobs are and whether they performed well or not. He has fired highly qualified people who keep our country safe. Musk and his Muskrats have gotten into social security records. And he wants to eliminate Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, SNAP, and the list goes on.

Hegseth, at Trump’s orders, eliminated cyber security aimed at Russia.

Trump has said the Gaza Palestinian strip now belongs to the U.S. He wants to remove 2.2 million Gazans to where no one knows and he will build a Trump Mediterranean property for the wealthy to visit and spend millions making Trump richer.

He was elected president and is now changing our country from democracy to autocracy. He is ruining the United States.

— Diane Wood, Longmont