Letters to the editor: 11-09-17

Clintons not innocent in DNC mess

Clarence Page, I enjoy your columns but the idea that Hillary Clinton and the Clintons are completely blameless and all the smoke is really nothing to be concerned about?

Sorry, but if the shoe was on another party I’m not sure we would be handling it the same way. The DNC has moved far from being a party of the workers. The Clintons and many of the party elite have become just that — elites. Far-removed from representing us, it has become a party that talks people but acts for a select few.

Here’s hoping the courage of those who see the wrong in the party continue to do what’s right and the media, instead of circling the wagons, supports them.

Steve Kaiser

Hawi

American apathy scary

I absolutely and totally concur with Tom Beach and his concern over the danger posed by the continuation of the current presidency. I share the belief with many others that our country is in greater danger than at any time during my nearly 82 years.

Much of that danger is the unwillingness of too many members of Congress to challenge and/or oppose action and policies of the madman at the helm. Too many are putting their political careers above the needs of the people they were elected to represent. It is tragic that they can stand by while Trump unravels needed programs previous administrations had established for energy, education, commerce, civil rights, health and human services, housing and urban development, justice, and others.

Further, he wants to add billions to an already badly bloated military budget and waste more billions on a Mexican border wall. Insanity!

Another aspect of the danger is the apparent apathy on the part of millions of U.S. citizens. This is in sharp contrast to conditions at the beginning stages of World War II. I am old enough to remember the panic that gripped the nation after the Dec. 7, 1941, attack on Pearl Harbor. After the initial shock the nation bonded like no other time in the past, determined to do whatever it took to defeat the Axis powers.

In addition to the rapid expansion of ground, air and sea weapons systems, the draft of all eligible men 18 years old or older was activated, and there were bond drives, tin can collections, paper collections, rationing of butter, sugar, gasoline and other commodities. As the war continued, gold stars representing family members killed in action could be seen in increasing numbers in the windows of many homes. Everyone was involved and nearly every family in the nation had someone in uniform, many of whom never returned.

That dedication is missing today, replaced with unbelievable apathy on the part of far too many people. What must happen to awaken them from their apathy? I fear contemplating the horrible consequences of a continuation of the unqualified, inept and mentally disturbed individual currently in the White House. This must change, and it must change very soon.

Gil Taylor

Kailua-Kona