D.C. policies ignore children’s plight
The government shutdown is a joke that’s not funny. You almost laugh in the face of those conservatives claiming to protect babies by doing away with Roe v. Wade, while clamoring to honor families.
Yet today, the “don’t give a damn” Republicans in Congress (who have barely been in D.C. for the past month) have shut down the government with the consequences of causing children to go hungry without food benefits. The ruthless shutdown means some households aren’t getting an income.
I shudder to think how restricting health care in this country will affect children; if not directly, perhaps one or both of their parents’ health. Then consider the lack of funding to the Department of Education, another cut that has direct negative effects on children.
I see so many of these same “children-loving” folks have their mouths moving along with their writing declaring that they are Christians. Christianity and harming children are not synonymous. Really though, if you look to our leader, I doubt he really thinks about children in this country. Golfing comes first; money for possible funding goes to Argentina, or to literally destroying the history of the White House for a ballroom for his wealthy friends.
Midge Fournier DeLand
White House renovation is OK
The Nov. 4 editorial (“Trump unleashed bulldozers on a national treasure”) is pure balderdash. The White House, the one most Americans know and love, hasn’t been touched. The East Wing was built in 1902 as a result of a need for meeting space. There is a further need today as illustrated by President Barack Obama conducting a state dinner in a tent. Also, the entire Rose Garden wasn’t “paved over.” The grassy area was, which made it more serviceable, especially after rain.
Finally, the construction of the ballroom is financed by private donations, and not at taxpayer expense. That used to incur admiration, not mistrust and disdain.
Donald Duenes Orlando
A selfless gesture
In the midst of war, political unrest and Mafia-related gambling stories, it warmed my heart to read about financier Timothy Mellon making an anonymous $130 million donation to keep our armed forces paid during the shutdown.
George Steinbrenner once said that if you do something good and more than two people know about it, you’re doing it for the wrong reasons.
It’s important to note that Mellon made his incredible gesture with the intent to remain anonymous, but as is often the case inside the Beltway, it’s nearly impossible to keep a good story from getting out.
President Trump called Mellon a great citizen and a “substantial man.” I suggest that he award Mr. Mellon the nation’s highest civilian honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, to inspire more acts of patriotism. And if the shutdown persists, who will be the next patriotic billionaire, with $130 million to spare, to follow Mellon’s lead?
John Sasko Boca Raton
Trump’s juvenile antics
It’s hard to grasp how far we’ve fallen as a nation. Our president — the supposed leader of the free world — released a video of himself wearing a crown, flying a jet and dumping excrement on fellow Americans. In the White House, he’s even replaced President Biden’s portrait with a photo of an autopen.
This isn’t leadership, it’s juvenile cruelty. If a student behaved like this, I think he’d be sent to detention or expelled. Yet millions cheer him on.
Many Americans — reporters, clergy and citizens — have spoken out in disgust. But we need more voices, more unity and more moral courage. This isn’t about politics; it’s about decency. How can we hold our heads high as Americans when childish cruelty defines our leadership?
Let’s remind the world who we are — not with crowns or jets, but with conscience and character.
Pat Matthews Orlando
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