The guardrails are off. With the U.S. Supreme Court giving presidential immunity and a Congress frozen in fear of opposing Trump, a new era of American politics has arrived.
The future is uncertain. Trump has already increased his impressive power in 10 months and has more than three years to expand presidential authority. Standards, norms, the Constitution and Bill of Rights will all be forever altered by the end of his administration.
The U.S. is under one-party rule. All organs of government are controlled by MAGA Republicans. The Supreme Court’s capitulation from its independent oversight role ensured Trump’s power grab.
Our form of government, with control of Congress up every two years, has failed to restrain unilateral power.
A parliamentary system might have protected us from the excesses now occurring. By a no-confidence vote, an abusive or failing government could be changed at any time.
Ed Horn, Delray Beach
A big beautiful ballroom
I constantly read critical comments about President Trump’s new ballroom, that its cost is outrageous and we are taking from the poor.
The truth is, for one of the first times in our history, the renovations aren’t costing taxpayers a dime. The money is from private donations, and the ballroom will be used by all future presidents instead of putting up a tent on the grounds.
Look at past renovations. President Kennedy added a pool. President Obama put in a full basketball court. Stop with the TDS (Trump Derangement Syndrome).
Dennis Lamb, Pembroke Pines
Very happy with Trump
At age 91, my views are altered.
I don’t feel illegal aliens are entitled to the hard-earned gratifications that citizens have paid for and are rightfully entitled to receive. Hopefully, the Gaza war has ceased, although the Ukraine war goes on after many efforts to satisfy Russia failed.
The stock market is at a terrific high for my retirement earnings, and my gasoline bill is reduced. Hopefully, we’re safer in our environments. So, after Trump has been in office for close to a year, I give him credit for all these improvements.
Trump is continually maligned by many, but that is our wonderful world.
Ira Drescher, Delray Beach
A Republican shutdown
Don’t even suggest that the federal shutdown belongs to anyone other than Trump. Facts matter.
The president’s “One Big Beautiful Bill” called for doubling health care premiums for 15 to 20 million low-income Americans, depriving 4 million more of insurance at all. Democrats were not going to support this immoral travesty against less fortunate citizens.
The president demanded passage by July 4, remember? Thune and Johnson hounded reluctant Republicans and it passed by one vote. From the beginning, Republicans knew that the law required a bipartisan agreement by Oct. 1, yet they would not meet with Democrats. One week before the shutdown, Trump cancelled a meeting with Democratic leaders. He was going to have his way.
So here we are, and it’s all so unnecessary.
Congress could fix this today — it might take an hour. Instead, weeks later, nothing has changed, and another 45 million Americans are on the verge of losing their supplemental food assistance. Our economy is unraveling.
Republicans control the nation today. Call GOP senators and congressmen and tell them to let our less fortunate neighbors have their basic health insurance as we do. Do your jobs!
Robert E. Griffith, Naples
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