Letters: Repairing the damage Trump caused; Who voted for this?
Since he took office, Donald Trump has transformed the United States. Before Trump we were the leader of the free world; now we are rogue state that cannot be trusted.
Trump attacks our long-standing allies and threatens unspecified action against virtually every nation on Earth (except Russia). Trump and his mouthpieces lie to and then insult the leaders of countries they visit. Because of Trump, no nation on Earth can negotiate in good faith with the United States.
Recently, Trump launched his global trade war, sending markets into free-fall and showing the world that we are not a trustworthy trade partner. Trump sacrificed the American economy to extort concessions from everyone (except Russia). Let's not be surprised if the world turns away from America as a primary trading partner.
Trump's blatant contempt for the law, the Constitution, the truth, for his word, his enemies, his followers, and, well, everything, means that we can never really trust him. Because he is the President and represents the United States of America, we, as a nation, cannot be trusted.
Because of Donald Trump's recklessness, our place as a trusted world leader is now lost and it is not clear whether we will ever be able to repair the damage that he has done. But we have to try: demonstrate, contact your representatives, defend our justices, and above all vote. America became a world leader because it was a strong democracy — democracy will be our only way back.
John Hruschka, Bellefonte
Attacks on Social Security and Medicare; random non-strategical tariffs; chainsaw cuts to veterans' benefits, education, health and human services. Who voted for this? I sure didn't!
Someone recently asked, 'but what about the USA getting screwed all the time [in trade]?' Most of us agree we are the wealthiest, most prosperous nation in the history of the world. Hard to imagine being the wealthiest nation and being ripped off all the time. We may lose a battle here or there, but we certainly had been thriving pretty good for a few centuries.
Most of us would also agree and acknowledge, somewhere in the mix, even if we weren't so blessed, a moral duty to help others less fortunate would kick in. The real beauty in doing the right things in foreign affairs, it helps us in the long run by avoiding death, destruction and the economic calamities of war.
Its well past time for reasonable people to come together and correct the course of our nation. Our common values of truth and justice are the American way. When we see and smell crapollo, call it out, speak out against it. Insist upon our foundational 'rule of law.' What happened to 'no person is above the law?' Do you really think that is such a good change?
Are adjustments for efficiency and policies that got too far ahead of ourselves good things? Certainly, that's what I voted for. Nobody voted for the chain saw approach or oligarchs. Pay attention, stay engaged.
Terry Noble, DuBois
Penn State trusteeship is about keeping and protecting our promises.
If elected as your trustee, I will focus on three areas which match my advocacy of the same as a student. Raise our academic rankings from 63rd to top tier. Reinvigorate our commonwealth campuses. Protect our land grant promise.
First, I have a well-established track record in establishing a legacy of on-ramps to student success. Be it co-founding organizations dedicated to improving recruitment and retention. Or, through extensive Penn State board alumni board service. I will helm consensus-based solutions so we can raise our rankings and keep our students even more ready for the workforce.
Second, when it comes to reinvigorating our commonwealth campuses, I am the only candidate to have matriculated through one via Greater Allegheny (formerly McKeesport campus) and remained a champion of the system's success. As a trustee, I will use diplomacy to channel stakeholder input at the table when charting our alma mater's future.
Lastly there's protecting our land grant promise, which is the soul of Penn State. That promise is everything you've read up until now, plus a pledge to use my successful career as a journalist having held world leaders accountable, protecting the first amendment, upholding transparency, deploying diplomacy, implementing risk management and facilitating strategic planning. I will do so for Penn State as your next trustee. So please go to www.allinforthesoulofPennState, read more about how I will serve you. When the ballot arrives April 21, I ask for your vote.
Jeff Ballou, Washington, D.C. The author is a candidate for alumni-elected board of trustees.
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