Letters: Joe Biden is offering true ‘country-first’ policies; Donald Trump is too unhinged

Opinions expressed in Letters to the Editor are those of our readers and not the Pensacola News Journal. In order for letters to be considered for publication, they must be 250 words or less and include name, a full address and phone number. Only your name and city of residence will be published. Email submissions to opinion@pnj.com.

Biden offers true ‘country-first’ policies

Something governments have never learned is how to manage poverty well. Members of privileged classes make up government. The rich don’t want to be taxed and they don’t want to tax corporations. That leaves the middle class to pay taxes. There are those among us who resist an increase in food assistance from government to feed children. Affordable health care policies are resisted. Watch out for those who oppose Social Security!

It is shameful that these truths exist when an array of resources and tools have been developed to alleviate suffering. To ignore the arrogance, the petty infighting, the dishonesty, and the desire for self-promotion among politicians when voters go to the polls is to approve injustice.

Trump does not have concern for better government. He caused the insurrectionists’ attack at the capitol and watched for three hours before he tweeted, “We love you — so go home”. Trump’s power to intimidate, threaten and get others to carry out violent acts must be defeated. His lies of a non-existent fraudulent 2020 election continue.

Do not help destroy the country-first policies that Joe Biden offers. Do the right thing and put country above party. Do you care?

Fay Walker, Pensacola

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Trump remains too unhinged for office

I fail to understand how so many people continue to be mesmerized by former President Trump. No one wants to admit they were wrong, and maybe in 2016 they voted for him thinking it was part of some grand experiment. Now it is time to get real.

What will it take for people to realize Trump is unfit to serve another term as president? President Biden's misstatements are trivialities compared to the real issues: the fact that Trump tried to subvert the Constitution after his election loss in 2020, the fact that he does not respect the military, and the fact he would encourage his buddy Putin to attack a member of NATO, is outrageous!

I think back to the comment he made in 2016 (and has repeated several times), that he could shoot someone on Fifth Avenue and not lose a single voter. For him to have the audacity to make such a comment shows how unhinged he was then and continues to be today.

Lorrie Newman, Milton

Sadowski Act needs further scrutiny

Ms. Kline's piece in the News Journal mentioned the Sadowski Act. This act was passed in 1992 to help with affordable housing, including senior citizens, but it has been robbed and the funds were spent on general budget items. Something that it was not intended to help.

The funds come mostly from fees on building homes, so it makes no sense to rob these funds to spend on anything but helping folks to afford their own home. This is another case where our elected officials say one thing and do something else. Maybe Ms. Kline - if elected - will try and fix this problem.

Elijah Bell, Jay

Trump’s VP choices are as shaky as he is

Now that the not yet convicted criminal has been declared a "shoe-in" for the presidency, why should we bother to vote? Oh yes, ‘your majesty’ still has to pick a VP. What kind of a lackey will he choose?

It's been rumored that on his "short list" is Tim Scott. (I suppose because he is Black). Ron DeSantis because he would do anything (to or for) Trump in order to be president in 2028.

Nikki Haley is his closest rival at this time. A warning to Nikki, stay away from dressing rooms in the White House when Trump is around. And Tucker Carlson, the TV personality that supposedly cost a TV network millions of dollars for lying on the air (thus making him an excellent running mate for Trump).

But there is one name left out that should be at the top of the list, George Santos. I bet he could tell Trump some lies that he hasn't used yet.

Incidentally, before you cast your ballot, I just read a quote from a John Heywood (1548) that was very profound, “There is none so blind as those who do not want to see.” Vote wisely!

Ellwood Trussell, Navarre

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Invest in native plants and trees

As I drive around Santa Rosa and Escambia counties, I am heartsick to see all the land that has been stripped bare and yet, there are small things all of us can do. We have lost Florida’s wilderness that developed over eons, in which, through natural selection plants that thrived, grew in perfect harmony and balance, ensuring the health of birds, bees, and other creatures.

If clear cutting continues, we can’t bring back our original wilderness. But, for those of us who are lucky enough to be able to afford a home, at least, we can give back to the earth by considering planting beautiful native plants and trees. Back and side yards are the perfect place to begin experimenting.

Those options are available at big box stores, our Native Plant Company in Milton, etc. Plus, we have the help and encouragement of our universities, agricultural extension offices and others for landscaping advice.P.S., I believe February, right before spring, is exactly the right time to remind people to think of planting natives.

Lynn Fendt, Pensacola

Alexei Navalny did not die in vain

The recent devastating news confirming the murder of Alexei Navalny gives a saddening conclusion to the narrative of what undoubtedly could fade to become another greatest story never told in the history of revolutionaries.

However, if images truly speak louder than words, than maybe that of Navalny marching back into Russia with full knowledge of his eventual fate will resonate beyond this moment. Navalny made his choice, staring down his impending death with unmistakable conviction: this was part of something bigger than one life.

Navalny showed unmatched bravery in marching to the end of his life in hopes that he could inspire change for all of those in the country he cared deeply for. Remembering this hope Navalny represented in Russia is more important than ever as political mercenaries like Tucker Carlson attempt to change the narrative on the evil that is Vladimir Putin, ignoring the facts and thus attempting to extinguish the remaining flames of hope of the Russian people that they too can be free, and that perhaps Navalny didn’t make the ultimate sacrifice in vain.

So may we not close the book, but begin a new chapter to his legend, and remember that legends never die.

William McBroom, Pensacola

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This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Letters: Joe Biden offers 'country-first' policies; Trump is unhinged