Letters: Illinois should follow President Donald Trump's example and cut the waste
The Land of Lincoln should get on board the Trump train. President Donald Trump has asked the Treasury secretary to stop production of the penny because it is costing us more than 3 cents per penny. President Abraham Lincoln was a frugal man and would agree with saving precious tax dollars.
On Wednesday, we celebrated Lincoln's birthday. Our state should follow Trump's example and get our fiscal house in order. Let's cut the waste, eliminate the fraud and cancel the pet projects.
Should we call Elon Musk and see if he's available?
— Elise McSwine, Plainfield
Treated like pocket change
The president announces the end of the penny on social media. But think of the numismatists!
In all earnest, though, here's yet another case of the president overriding a federal act, indeed one passed into law by the Founding Fathers: the Coinage Act of April 2, 1792. This push is the opposite of Article II, Section 3 of the Constitution, which provides that the president 'shall take Care that the Laws be faithfully executed.'
This may be less consequential than, say, the elimination of two federal agencies (with more certain to come), but no less telling of the contempt in which this administration holds our constitutional democracy, as little more than pocket change.
— Paul W. Mollica, Chicago
Rounding sums in Canada
The Tribune Editorial Board's well-reasoned editorial in favor of phasing out the 1-cent coin stops short of explaining the Canadian system ('Trump and Musk have pennies in their sights. On that we can agree,' Feb. 11). Although cash transactions are rounded to the nearest 5-cent sum, noncash transactions are not. They are charged at the exact amount, so the editorial's hypothetical $3.11 soda, paid for by debit or credit card, would cost a customer exactly $3.11.
— David Passman, Skokie
Destroying greatness
I, at 95 years of age, was able to get to the polls and vote for the president of the United States on Nov. 5. I voted for the president. I did not vote for a change in the government or the Constitution, nor anarchy.
I was under the illusion that the president would govern and do what's best for the people, of which I am one. Presidents have come in all sizes, shapes and ages, but never in all my years have I seen one quite like this one. We, as a nation, have been subject to the utterings so widespread in the imagination of ridiculousness. This man, if he cared for the welfare of the people, could have been a good president, but he has appointed himself as master creator of 'America Great Again' by destroying it.
I have lived through America when it was great. Our country was never perfect, of course; however, it was among the best in the history of the world. We citizens respected our country and were proud of the progress that it made.
Unfortunately, these days, only those who represent us as citizens can alter the present circumstances that we are now facing; only they can be the heroes now and in the future.
— Mary Lou Winkler, Miami, Florida
We must take action
As we the people watch the actions of a 'band of brothers' capturing the U.S. government, there seems to be a general sense that nothing can stop the insanity. We are watching our country being destroyed, not by bombs and rockets but from the inside by oligarchs and their minions taking over the technology and data that support and protect the people.
If invaders were destroying the factories and farms that provide food, goods and services to everyone, we would be arming ourselves to repel the attacks, Since many of us don't understand that these computer programs, data and other technology support everyone, we sit watching the capture and dismantling and feel helpless to do anything about it.
Our government was originally an experiment, which has worked reasonably well for 250 years. Now it is being challenged by an ignorant bully, who claims to have great wealth and would like to be king of the world. He was elected to be president by less than 50% of voters after a campaign during which he told enormous lies and made statements of exactly how he wanted to consolidate power.
His main tool is a very clever, very rich individual who was not elected by anyone and who is taking control of huge government departments by capturing the computer systems that distribute our money throughout the country and the world.
If we sit and wait for the results of this internal coup, it will be very difficult for us to regain our freedom and independence. We must take action now, to stop the takeover of our country and our lives by Donald Trump and Elon Musk.
— Stephen Nelson, Glen Ellyn
Will democracy survive?
The U.S. Constitution is the bedrock of our democracy and our freedom. It sets up a system of limited government by dividing power among the president, Congress, the courts and the people, so that nobody can have unlimited power. Our new president has been taking unprecedented steps to exceed the limits of his powers by trying to single-handedly change the Constitution and abolish agencies and programs created by Congress simply because he doesn't like them. He is ignoring the limits of presidential power granted by the Constitution. If he is allowed to succeed, he will change our system of government, which could lead to a dictatorship. Those who don't believe this are either in denial or are not paying attention.
Our democracy is fragile. It's held together by the rule of law — a system of government that prevents the arbitrary use of power. But if that respect is lost, and the rule of law fails, then whoever has the most power will prevail. Congress, the courts and the people don't have a military or a large police force under their command; the president does.
I think a lot of people think our culture is changing too fast, and they like the idea of a strongman who will take control of the situation and make things right. But be careful what you wish for, because you might get it.
In political terms, 'strongman' is interchangeable with 'dictator,' as in Fidel Castro and Vladimir Putin. If the president decides to take control because no one stops him, then democracy is lost, and so is freedom. And we are left with a dictatorship.
I don't think I'm an alarmist, but I am very concerned that we might not have a democracy in four years. Could it really happen here?
The real question is: What's to stop it?
— Jim Skaar, St. Charles
Send Blagojevich overseas
I actually hope President Donald Trump does appoint former Gov. Rod Blagojevich to be ambassador to Serbia. I'd rather have him in Belgrade than Chicago.
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