Public opinion could derail Trump agenda

Donald Trump’s reelection is accomplishing the goals of his failed Jan. 6, 2021, coup. He’s breaking laws, destroying institutions, axing staff, targeting anyone opposed, causing chaos so the fat cats get fatter and he becomes king. Fascism is here. Nothing is stopping him … yet.

His constant onslaught of dictatorial actions is challenging what he can get away with. So far, it’s a lot. The system of checks and balances is failing. The president illegally and unconstitutionally grabs power. Congress does nothing. Courts issue rulings against him, but he will likely ignore them.

The only force that can stop Trump is strong public opposition. Anger was so great at recent town hall meetings in deeply red districts that the Republican Party told members to stop having meetings. Anti-Trump protests are growing. If his disapproval numbers rise to 60%, he will have to pull back.

— Keith Nakatani, Oakland

Speak out to save Education Department

As a grandparent of five children, I am concerned about the cuts to the Department of Education. In the U.S., more than 80% of students attend free public schools. Parents need to see their kids in a stimulating educational environment. In addition, children who have disabilities are guaranteed help. Those promises are all in danger.

All students benefit from programs run by the Department of Education, yet some politicians want to stop that. Without the department, children with low incomes will not benefit from funding to help them rise above poverty. We need fully trained teachers to accomplish goals.

I urge you to call, write or email your senators and representatives expressing your desire for the Department of Education to remain fully functioning. Don’t stand by watching the dismantling of the department affecting every public school in the country.

— Janice Wood, Lafayette

Business-failure Trump now failing at politics

Donald Trump has never succeeded in a business but the one based on the myth that he’s a great businessman: selling his name to others to place on their businesses. His other businesses — casinos, university, social media company — were failures.

It’s easy to see why. He doesn’t know how to run a large company. His management style is chaotic. He alienates everyone around him and then tries to bully other businesses into submission without allies. Now, as president, he’s causing a wholly unnecessary economic crisis because his economic theory — tariffs — was proven disastrous a hundred years ago.

In 2024, the economy and the stock market were booming, although inflation had become a problem. Now we still have inflation, and we have lost 10% or more off our retirement accounts. Thank you, Donald, for making America — now friendless and feckless — great again.

— Jay Chafetz, Walnut Creek

Administration’s policies keep nation divided

I was born a White man, not by choice, but in the minds of some, I should have the right of supremacy over people of color.

I was born a male, and in the view of these same people, my gender entitles me to dominate and control females.

Also, I was born heterosexual, which has sheltered me from the heinous aggravations and assaults that plague those who do not conform to hetero-patriarchal expectations.

Beyond all facets of identity, we must embrace each other’s humanity with care and respect.

Diversity, equity and inclusion offered a remedy for patent social injustice. It sought to abolish the “us versus them” binary that pervades American politics and strive instead for communal liberation as an enshrined right. But the current powers that be — among other fateful decisions — have opted to discard DEI, a mistake deeply injurious to our social fabric.

— Glauco Romeo, Fremont

If DeSaulnier won’t fight, vote for a rep who will

I have supported Rep. Mark DeSaulnier in every election, but I will vote against him in the next primary unless he starts fighting back. Donald Trump, with a thin mandate, is ruling by decree, dismantling democratic institutions while House Democrats stand by.

His record on education has been strong, but as Trump guts the Department of Education, where is his outrage? Where are the press releases, the calls to action? Instead, we get tepid statements while federal workers are purged, civil liberties are trampled and democracy is shredded.

Leadership means taking risks. A rare few Democrats are physically confronting this destruction — why isn’t he standing with them? His silence is complicity. The Democratic base is done with milquetoast politics. Rise to the moment or be replaced. We need warriors, not bystanders.

— Jesse MacKinnon, Pleasant Hill