Readers sound off on lawmakers' money, a roof disaster vigil and stamp prices
Stamford, Conn.: Your April 8 editorial 'Tariff Man vs. the world' does a fine job of illustrating the lunacy of President Trump's ridiculous tariff war. It is the product of a man who does an impeccable job of combining ignorance and arrogance. It's truly stunning that the leader of the Free World is incapable of grasping fundamental economic concepts that are easily learned on day one of a high school introduction to economics class.
There exists only one bulwark that can ultimately protect the U.S. from complete financial carnage. When members of Congress begin to panic because of the erosion of their own financial security, they will turn on Trump like rabid dogs. It has been made absolutely clear that MAGA Republican lawmakers like House Speaker Mike Johnson and his allies have no concern for their constituents. They slavishly appear before cameras expressing confidence in a ham-handed tariff policy that is as indefensible as it is incomprehensible. But rest assured that when the impact of this chaos hits the lawmakers in their own pockets, that's when we'll see meaningful pushback.
Trump's enablers have shown repeatedly that they put their own power and greed above all else. They are unwilling to resist the grip of an overbearing bully because to do so would jeopardize their own self-interests.
But when those self-interests collide with the MAGA agenda, their instincts for self-preservation will prevail. Lawmakers will rethink their fealty for their wretched leader and will band together to withdraw their support for this idiotic and mindless trade policy. Peter Janoff
Valley Stream, L.I.: Trump proudly claimed that last week would be 'Liberation Day'! His tariffs were going to solve all the economic problems of the United States. Unfortunately for most Americans and many who are close to retirement, it was Separation Day — the day many Americans were separated from their hard-earned money in 401(k)s and investments. It is unfathomable to believe that a so-called businessman with so many declared bankruptcies against him was somehow elected to run the largest nation in the world. Pathetic. Vince Sgroi
Belfast, Maine: In regard to the recent wild gyrations in the stock market driven by Trump's frequent and dramatic changes in trade policy, what if Trump is dumping stock every time he announces new tariffs and buying stock every time he announces a pause in recently announced tariffs? I don't know that Trump is doing that, but he'd sure make a killing if he were. Lawrence Reichard
Greenburgh, N.Y.: Every time Trump says tariffs, the stock market takes a nose dive. And every time he orders a pause on tariffs, the stocks go up. There is a need to make sure the president's family, cabinet members, appointees and members of Congress don't profit from insider trading. How about requiring more disclosure about their stock market investments during the Trump presidency? We need stronger laws to prevent any kind of insider trading. Trump has the ability to make his inner circle very rich by his actions. Are the president's uncertain and erratic decisions just stock market manipulation to help his friends? Paul Feiner
Brooklyn: To Voicer David Goldstein: Your letter on Trump profiting from the stock market crash caused by him is not paranoid. I had started a letter the same as yours but went further. When Trump was running for office the first time, he bragged about how much money he made in the 2008 financial crisis by buying up devalued properties. The crisis saw losers like homeowners facing foreclosure, everyday investors losing money and low-skilled workers struggling with unemployment, while some winners included large banks that received bailouts and certain hedge funds that profited from the crisis. It caused a recession that lasted six years. Looks like history will repeat itself. And to Mayor Adams, who said he does not understand, tariffs: Resign now, since you are obviously too uneducated to be mayor. Greg Ahl
Bethlehem, Pa.: Adams declaring that he spent the weekend reading up on tariffs and still doesn't understand them should be everything anyone needs to know about this joker. That's the mayor of New York City! A mind is a terrible thing to develop without help. Chris Broubalow
Monroe, N.J.: How great is it that the current mayor running for reelection 'doesn't understand tariff wars'? Considering that NYC is the center of finance, global products transportation and tourism, we would think he would take a crash course in tariffs, maybe at Trump University. One more way to avoid confrontation with Trump and accept the carrots offered to him. So, who is independent? Katherine A. Moloney
Beechhurst: It's nice to see that the Daily News has weighed in on these senseless attacks on Tesla dealerships and cars owned by private citizens ('Go after Musk, not Tesla,' editorial, April 6). But this calculated (and politically motivated) destruction of private property should be called out for what it is: domestic terrorism. And the fact that the Democratic Party writ large has stayed mum on this mayhem is another reflection on how the Dems remain out of sync with average Americans. James Hyland
Staten Island: To Voicer Chuck Shannon: Yes, by all means, let's investigate why tourism is down in NYC (and the rest of the U.S.). Do you not think gun violence has anything to do with it? The MAGA party wants everyone in the country to carry a gun. Maybe people are afraid of being shot. Do you not think that the lack of universal health care has an impact? After you've been shot, you can't afford to go to a hospital. Perhaps that tilts things one way or the other? Do you not think that overt racism and homophobia tend to make for an uncomfortable atmosphere? Do you not think that the orange felon's ridiculous tariffs cause tourists to shy away? Can they afford to visit? Could having your visa suddenly revoked and having the chance of being deported to a Salvadoran dungeon without due process have anything to do with it? Victor R. Stanwick
Kew Gardens Hills: I am beginning to think New York's very restrictive gun control measures are working. More and more victims are being stabbed to death. Barry Koppel
Manhattan: We are deeply saddened to share that more than 200 lives were tragically lost when the roof of a nightclub in the Dominican Republic collapsed early on Tuesday morning. This devastating incident has left countless families grieving, and our hearts go out to all those affected. In response to this heartbreaking tragedy, we are organizing a gathering to unite our community in support. We call upon community leaders, elected officials, representatives and every member of our city to come together in this moment of mourning and solidarity. Please join us today at 7 p.m. at Quisqueya Plaza, 247 Dyckman St., in Manhattan, or in the event of rain, Alianza Dominicana at 530 W. 166 St. Let us come together in love, prayer and strength to offer support to the families and friends affected by this unimaginable loss. Alejandro Zayas
Avon-by-the-Sea, N.J.: Re 'It's a class-size act' (March 10): Where in hell will NYC find 3,700 new teachers willing to work in such a rotten educational system? Or crazy enough? Robert Stiloski
Brooklyn: I recommend that your readers use color-coding labels to mark each page of a book with a sticker after they have finished reading it to make it easier and more enjoyable to keep track of their reading progress. Shlomo Klein
Brooklyn: The USPS has been increasing postal rates a few cents at a time every year for the past several years. This summer, the price of a stamp is expected to jump 5 cents. I think these increases have the opposite effect of generating revenue. The higher the price of stamps, the less mail people send. And there are alternatives for sending packages. L. Veneroni
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As multiple sources pointed out, the firing appeared to run counter to Trump's main reason for appointing Grenell, who is openly gay, in the first place: To rid the DC venue of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion policies. 'From being rebuked on the Chevron license, to his connection to the Tate Brothers, to allegations of firing a Kennedy staffer over Christian beliefs, Ric Grenell keeps finding new and creative ways to embarrass himself and those around him,' a source close the the White House familiar with the situation said. The State Department, Romanian Foreign Ministry, Schock, Grenell and an attorney for the Tates did not respond to requests for comment.
