Letters to the editor March 24
Trump tax cuts
If you hear about tax issues in the news these days, you’ll probably hear that Republicans want to make “tax cuts for the rich” from many news outlets.
In reality, the real topic should be about whether the tax cuts made during the first Trump administration are allowed to expire. Do you realize what that means? Those early tax cuts resulted in what we are paying today in taxes. If they expire, as they are scheduled to do at the end of the year, the taxes will go back up to what they were before the previous tax cut.
Can it be any clearer than that? Republicans are not trying to cut taxes, they are trying to keep the taxes from going back up to previous high levels. End of story.
— Ward DeWitt, Bigfork
Time to be heroes
When did we join the axis of evil? A personal note to our local heroes.
In February, the U.S. voted against a UN resolution demanding Russia’s complete and unconditional withdrawal from Ukrainian territory. The U.S. was joined by 17 other Moscow-friendly countries including Russia and North Korea. Whose side are we on? How can Trump accuse Ukraine of starting the war? Ukraine didn’t invade itself. Russia invaded Ukraine.
How can he accuse Zelenskyy of being a dictator? The dictator and clear aggressor is Putin, Trump’s role model. Remember, Trump told us that he [Trump] “planned to be a dictator on day one”.
We must continue to support the brave freedom fighters in Ukraine; and we need to stop threatening our allies including Canada, Greenland and Panama.
Our Rep. Ryan Zinke and Sen. Tim Sheehy were both Navy SEALS. They fought for democracy around the world. I implore them to speak up and fight for democracy in the halls of Congress.
Our state and our country are counting on a few brave souls to stand up against the Trump administration’s autocratic rule and to stand up for democracy and the rule of law. I hope they will be the heroes that our country so desperately needs.
— Link Neimark, Whitefish
Stop the chaos
Despite my warrior tendencies, I’ve tried to be a kind, compassionate person who is dedicated to making the planet healthier for the people and wild inhabitants who share the earth. All of us struggle in different ways. It is challenging to love everyone, including those who disagree with us, but I believe the world will be better if we all are better.
I’m despairing the unjustified targeted attacks on the poor of the world through cancelled funding of USAID, the dismantling of the agency services that support our health care, the sick, the elderly, veterans, food/air/water safety, education, cyber-security, weather/fire/disaster avoidance/protection, and scientific research. The denial of science and attempts to weaken environmental laws and regulations will adversely affect us all.
How can stopping diversity, equality and inclusion benefit our nation? What will an unelected billionaire who has unrestricted access to tax, Social Security and other private information do with that information? I fear attacks (and loss of First Amendment rights) against those who speak out for actions contrary to the administration policies.
When I asked our congressional representatives to provide specific justification of these cuts and actions, explain exactly how the loss of these services and attacks on the less fortunate and environmental protections will improve our nation, improve efficiency and save money, Sen. Daines, Sen. Tim Sheehy and Rep. Ryan Zinke responded with form letters blindly supporting the administration’s policies. This implies they choose to abdicate their constitutional responsibilities to represent the public and pledge loyalty to the Constitution, and instead pledge support to the harmful and many illegal activities of this administration.
We are better than this. Please stop the chaos and work for the betterment — not the dismantlement of our nation.
— Carole Jorgensen, Kalispell