Congress, stop Trump trampling Constitution
On Tuesday, President Trump spoke at a hastily assembled gathering of military admirals and generals. The tired-looking president spoke of fighting the “enemy within,” primarily referring to Democrats in blue cities and states. His audience did not hear warnings of global enemies, no Putin or Xi references, but rather soft undertones of fighting American citizens on the streets of the United States. A former Fox News host is telling career admirals and generals how the military is going to be used — that’s alarming. Trump suggested that some cities could be the training ground for combat soldiers in their role of eliminating dissent. There is so much wrong with this “out loud” plan, starting with its violation of the Posse Comitatus Act of 1878, which forbids federal troops from participating in civilian law enforcement.
To our U.S. senators, Rick Scott and Ashley Moody, on what side do you stand? To the 20 Florida Republican congressional representatives, why haven’t you spoken up against this? If your cowardice is bigger than your ego, you will be gone in the next election — as long as the president doesn’t invoke a “national emergency” and cancel the midterms. Stand up and do something!
PJ Whelan Orlando
Morals aren’t just for Christians
In his Wednesday guest column (“Longing for a better country”), James O. Cunningham lays out his thoughts about why our country is so divided, and how a return to God is the only answer. He paints with a really broad brush, both of believers and nonbelievers alike. As an atheist, I find his views both bullying and untrue.
I do not believe in a God, but I am far from what the author thinks of people like me. I don’t rape, murder, steal or cheat others from a fear of punishment from a god, but because of my own compassion and a sense of what is right. The “Golden Rule” is a succinct way of expressing my belief system.
The author is right in finding fault with human nature, but he cannot point to religion, Christianity in particular, as the answer to living in a world unlike “Lord of the Flies.” I see many Christians, both nationally and within my own circle, who do not act in a Christian way. Humanity has given us good and evil people throughout the ages, both believers in God, and those of a secular nature. It is wrong to ascribe all the ways humans hurt other humans, to those who don’t live a life of faith. Perhaps he should ask why I adhere to what the teachings of Jesus try to convey, but not the many Christians who seem to have forgotten those ideals.
Jeffrey Martin Orlando
Tax uncertainty
Tax relief or a Tallahassee power grab? Do the math.
Local property taxes provide the bulk of local government revenue. Sales and excise taxes provide much of state government revenue.
Eliminating local property taxes would not impact the state, but they would have to be replaced.
By what? Higher sales taxes will disproportionately impact seniors and families — and Tallahassee will control the revenue.
Look at your tax bill. Ad valorem (“according to value”) taxes, based on property values, pay for schools, police, public hospitals and many other services. If property taxes are eliminated, the money has to come from somewhere.
Richard Carlson Deerfield Beach
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