Loss of liberty runs deep
Although the Trump administration is rightly identified for triggering the chaos our political system exudes right now (Keller letter to WHT on June 28), the real cause is more insidious than the former president’s narcissistic craving for power and wealth.
It is perfectly clear that Sen. Mitch McConnell’s autocratic Republicans, as they place sociopathic lust for power above humanitarianism, have unleashed a monster that will destroy the democratic Constitutional Republic they detest, for it prevents them from obtaining their goal of absolute political power. McConnell knew the Republican Party would always be the minority without a humanitarian platform so he carefully crafted a Senate majority with Senators from small-population states where the campaign dollar-per-person goes further.
The Supreme Court was his next target and with Trump as president, whom he trolled well for the sucker he is, the path to his authoritarian government was in place. It is now obvious that many U.S. Supreme Court Justices have personal agendas and ignore the tradition of law when making decisions. Emboldened by McConnell-endorsed appointments in a drive toward autocracy, one Justice openly solicits cases so the court can deny other liberties and freedoms. Legal arguments are immaterial as the results are predetermined.
It brings to mind the comment by Khrushchev in 1956 when he said about our government, “We will bury you.” Sadly, 60 years later, the procession to that funeral has come from within, initiated by those who covet power and wealth at the expense of well-being, freedom, and liberty of all other citizens. We must all vote to protect our liberty while we still have a chance to do so.
Mike Reimer
Denver, CO
^
Hypocrisy?
News Flash No. 1: “Pro-life” Oklahoma, in its bid to save lives, has signed into law one of the nation’s strictest abortion bans. “… we have a responsibility as human beings to do everything we can to protect that baby’s life …” asserts Gov. Kevin Stitt.
News Flash No. 2: Finally settling a lawsuit that had stalled plans, Oklahoma will now start executing about one prisoner a month until 25 convicts have been put to death.
Phyllis Hanson
Keauhou
^
Gas tax holiday is not the solution
Some of our politicians say “Let’s help lower the cost of gas with a gas tax holiday.” I say “Forget about the gas tax holiday and do something more meaningful, which is a permanent end to the annual vehicle safety inspections.”
Only a handful of states have these types of inspections and studies have shown that they have little or no impact on reducing traffic accidents as most are caused by the driver. These inspections may have been needed many years ago but today’s vehicles with all the safety enhancements make them antiquated and a waste of our money.
Come on state government do something that will really benefit us and dump these inspections for good.
Joseph P. Maria
Kapaau
^
^
Letters policy
Letters to the editor should be 300 words or less and will be edited for style and grammar. Longer viewpoint guest columns may not exceed 800 words. Submit online at https://www.westhawaiitoday.com/letter-to-the-editor/ or address letters to:
Editor
West Hawaii Today
PO Box 789
Kailua-Kona, HI 96745
Email: letters@westhawaiitoday.coam