The federal government has been shut down for a month with no end in sight. President Trump thrives on chaos. It’s his venue, and he’s enjoying every minute of it.
Democrats know that Republicans will never agree to reopen the government, so the minority party will have to concede. The writing is on the wall. Democrats, put your reading glasses on: You’re the losers.
Food assistance for low-income individuals has been in jeopardy. Pay for military personnel is, too. Our diligent safety protectors, federal air traffic controllers, are working for no pay. For how long can they keep doing that?
Gerry Franciosa, Delray Beach
Manufactured problems
Under Trump’s leadership, manufacturing finally is on the rise.
He manufactured a trade war, claiming that the largest economy in the world was suffering and tariffs would solve it.
He manufactured a need to reduce crime in blue cities, where crime rates have fallen in recent years, and mobilized the National Guard to solve the problem.
Finally, he manufactured that millions of illegal immigrants pose a threat and must be deported. He mobilized ICE to terrorize communities with masked thugs.
Next on Trump’s list, I predict, will be a manufactured need to control the election process — because the only time it works properly is when he and his Republican friends are declared the winners.
Jay Rechtman, Boynton Beach
A double standard
When Republicans award tax breaks, lucrative contracts and taxpayer subsidies to corporations and billionaires, they call it capitalism.
But when Democrats try to help the middle-, working-, and lower-income classes, they call it socialism.
It’s sad how so many people vote against their own self-interest. And you wonder why the financial and power gaps exist and are growing among Americans.
Mel Rubinstein, Fort Lauderdale
A monument to his ego
After King Louis XIV designed Versailles, with its over-the-top ostentatious gilt and Hall of Mirrors, the French people asked: How could you live so lavishly, when we are all so cold and hungry?
Eventually, the French people said, enough is enough, good riddance, and ended the monarchy.
Donald Trump, your ballroom is a fantastic monument to your epic, distorted and grandiose ego. But more than half of the U.S. population is not so in awe of you as you are of yourself.
Jacqueline Kaplan, Boca Raton
No to ‘Lauderdale County’
Congratulations on the efficient call and response on your Opinion page. You asked and answered your own question: “Should Broward change its name to Lauderdale County?”
In an editorial calling out the Broward Sheriff’s Office for misspending on its training facility, you identified an exorbitant $553,000 for “excessive branding.” Spot on, and that was in just one place.
The $553,000 is tip money compared to the costs of changing literally everything that has the words Broward County on it (websites, email addresses, business cards, mailing labels, clothes, building signs, park signs, signage on vehicles).
Your question answers itself: Just say no to “Lauderdale County.”
Mark Hoffman, Deerfield Beach
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