To the Editor:
Despite the four dark years of the Trump administration, I see light at the end of the tunnel. And that light is generated by the strong reaction to incompetent and cruel government, evidenced by an increasing public outcry and record-breaking early voter turnout.
This autocratic, insensitive administration, supported by accomplices in the Senate, has provoked a strong interest and participation in the democratic process by individuals who previously felt powerless to change anything.
As a reaction to the Trumpian tragedy, young people, minorities, women and the disenfranchised are increasingly dedicated to efforts to clear our government of corruption and to elect a new generation of individuals who are dedicated to improving life, liberty and justice for all.
Juan Sanchez-Ramos
Tampa, Fla.
To the Editor:
How must it feel to be Joe Biden today knowing that the future of our democracy rests in his hands?
In the day before what could be the end of the world as we know it, all I want to do is watch reruns of classic New York Yankee games. Anything but face the suffocating thought that Donald Trump could be unleashed upon this nation in his full fury for four more years (or beyond).
Joe Biden has lived through hard times that none should have to endure. He is remarkably resilient. But today the weight of the world rests on his shoulders, and even he must be staggering. Hillary Clinton’s loss sent us into the streets in protest. A Democratic defeat in 2020 would send us into hell.
Joe, no pressure, buddy. It’s just like any other day, but our heads will explode if you fail in this mission.
No pressure.
Robert S. Nussbaum
Great Barrington, Mass.
To the Editor:
Re “Frayed Connections,” by Nicholas Kristof (column, Nov. 1):
Donald Trump isn’t the one driving this country apart. It’s the establishment and the elite who are driving us apart by not accepting the views of others. My last vote was for Hillary Clinton; this one is for Mr. Trump! He cares for the little people, and I’m one of them (a teacher in the public schools).
I am a Christian believer, and I do not approve of all of Mr. Trump’s abrasiveness. However, I am not voting for pastor of my church, I am voting for leader of this country, warts and all.
Anna Johnson
Lakewood, Colo.
To the Editor:
Re “In Nebraska, Seeking 4 More Years of Belonging” (front page, Nov. 2):
As a 19-year-old farmer, I worry about my future in American agriculture — an industry vulnerable to trade shifts, climate volatility, work force disruptions and politicians out of touch with farmers’ interests. Hostility added to the mix alarms me. Just weeks ago a Massachusetts farmer’s pro-Biden display was burned, yet the description of the burning of the farm equipment of a Trump supporter, Jonathan Rempel, that some believe may have been politically motivated seems even more destructive by shredding community fabric.
I pray that Henderson, Neb., can recover its kinship, a characteristic of rural communities that farmers count on as we look toward our future. But I do not trust the resilience of kinship based in unilateral support for one effective marketer — a pied piper.
I proudly cast my vote for Joe Biden because his plan for rural prosperity invites me and Mr. Rempel to partner as patriots in the work of feeding and fueling our country while stewarding our natural resources.
While I disagree with President Trump on everything, I suspect that I share many values with Mr. Rempel. I imagine a future in which Mr. Rempel and I can capitalize on our shared values in a resilient kinship, with no place for arson. Just as farmers trust each other for information, we need to be able to trust each other as neighbors.
Eli W. Newell
Lincoln, Mass.
To the Editor:
I am writing this letter in nervous anticipation of the election results.
The last four years have been so upsetting and, at the same time, so revealing. They have exposed the greed, hypocrisy, ignorance and partisan political thinking that regrettably have always been part of the human condition.
But now the wild assertions on social media, raging propaganda on cable news, the widening gap between the haves and have-nots, and the president’s promotion of chaos and division have stretched our perceptions of truth and fairness and have damaged our political system.
I believe that if President Trump wins there is little hope for our democracy. If Joe Biden wins and the Democrats win a majority in the Senate, we should have a good chance at recovery. But that in itself will not fix things.
In this scenario, alt-right groups and QAnon will temporarily go underground. But let’s be clear: These destructive forces will not go away.
For those who support Biden-Harris — and the future health of our democracy — the work to establish equity in our political system will have just begun, and there will be no place for complacency.
Mark Golden
Newton, Mass.
To the Editor:
Re “Pepper Spray, Traffic Tactics and Cancellations as Big Day Approaches” (news article, Nov. 2):
Stores and businesses being boarded up in preparation for postelection violence? Caravans of flag-waving trucks intimidating and snarling highway traffic? I so hope Joe Biden wins and can make America America again.
Linda Osvald
Greenlawn, N.Y.
To the Editor:
Some questions for the Trump supporters who feel entitled to act like anarchists by disrupting and stopping traffic: What gives you the right to break the law? What gives you the right to potentially delay firefighters, E.M.T.s and law enforcement doing their jobs?
Do you really think rudeness and recklessness are the best ways to try to show your support for your favored candidate? Do you see any irony in breaking the law to show your support for the self-proclaimed law-and-order candidate? How many of you would be outraged if antifa did exactly what you all did?
Max Mania
Eugene, Ore.
Source: Read Full Article
Home » Analysis & Comment » Opinion | An Election Day Full of Hope and Anxiety
Opinion | An Election Day Full of Hope and Anxiety
To the Editor:
Despite the four dark years of the Trump administration, I see light at the end of the tunnel. And that light is generated by the strong reaction to incompetent and cruel government, evidenced by an increasing public outcry and record-breaking early voter turnout.
This autocratic, insensitive administration, supported by accomplices in the Senate, has provoked a strong interest and participation in the democratic process by individuals who previously felt powerless to change anything.
As a reaction to the Trumpian tragedy, young people, minorities, women and the disenfranchised are increasingly dedicated to efforts to clear our government of corruption and to elect a new generation of individuals who are dedicated to improving life, liberty and justice for all.
Juan Sanchez-Ramos
Tampa, Fla.
To the Editor:
How must it feel to be Joe Biden today knowing that the future of our democracy rests in his hands?
In the day before what could be the end of the world as we know it, all I want to do is watch reruns of classic New York Yankee games. Anything but face the suffocating thought that Donald Trump could be unleashed upon this nation in his full fury for four more years (or beyond).
Joe Biden has lived through hard times that none should have to endure. He is remarkably resilient. But today the weight of the world rests on his shoulders, and even he must be staggering. Hillary Clinton’s loss sent us into the streets in protest. A Democratic defeat in 2020 would send us into hell.
Joe, no pressure, buddy. It’s just like any other day, but our heads will explode if you fail in this mission.
No pressure.
Robert S. Nussbaum
Great Barrington, Mass.
To the Editor:
Re “Frayed Connections,” by Nicholas Kristof (column, Nov. 1):
Donald Trump isn’t the one driving this country apart. It’s the establishment and the elite who are driving us apart by not accepting the views of others. My last vote was for Hillary Clinton; this one is for Mr. Trump! He cares for the little people, and I’m one of them (a teacher in the public schools).
I am a Christian believer, and I do not approve of all of Mr. Trump’s abrasiveness. However, I am not voting for pastor of my church, I am voting for leader of this country, warts and all.
Anna Johnson
Lakewood, Colo.
To the Editor:
Re “In Nebraska, Seeking 4 More Years of Belonging” (front page, Nov. 2):
As a 19-year-old farmer, I worry about my future in American agriculture — an industry vulnerable to trade shifts, climate volatility, work force disruptions and politicians out of touch with farmers’ interests. Hostility added to the mix alarms me. Just weeks ago a Massachusetts farmer’s pro-Biden display was burned, yet the description of the burning of the farm equipment of a Trump supporter, Jonathan Rempel, that some believe may have been politically motivated seems even more destructive by shredding community fabric.
I pray that Henderson, Neb., can recover its kinship, a characteristic of rural communities that farmers count on as we look toward our future. But I do not trust the resilience of kinship based in unilateral support for one effective marketer — a pied piper.
I proudly cast my vote for Joe Biden because his plan for rural prosperity invites me and Mr. Rempel to partner as patriots in the work of feeding and fueling our country while stewarding our natural resources.
While I disagree with President Trump on everything, I suspect that I share many values with Mr. Rempel. I imagine a future in which Mr. Rempel and I can capitalize on our shared values in a resilient kinship, with no place for arson. Just as farmers trust each other for information, we need to be able to trust each other as neighbors.
Eli W. Newell
Lincoln, Mass.
To the Editor:
I am writing this letter in nervous anticipation of the election results.
The last four years have been so upsetting and, at the same time, so revealing. They have exposed the greed, hypocrisy, ignorance and partisan political thinking that regrettably have always been part of the human condition.
But now the wild assertions on social media, raging propaganda on cable news, the widening gap between the haves and have-nots, and the president’s promotion of chaos and division have stretched our perceptions of truth and fairness and have damaged our political system.
I believe that if President Trump wins there is little hope for our democracy. If Joe Biden wins and the Democrats win a majority in the Senate, we should have a good chance at recovery. But that in itself will not fix things.
In this scenario, alt-right groups and QAnon will temporarily go underground. But let’s be clear: These destructive forces will not go away.
For those who support Biden-Harris — and the future health of our democracy — the work to establish equity in our political system will have just begun, and there will be no place for complacency.
Mark Golden
Newton, Mass.
To the Editor:
Re “Pepper Spray, Traffic Tactics and Cancellations as Big Day Approaches” (news article, Nov. 2):
Stores and businesses being boarded up in preparation for postelection violence? Caravans of flag-waving trucks intimidating and snarling highway traffic? I so hope Joe Biden wins and can make America America again.
Linda Osvald
Greenlawn, N.Y.
To the Editor:
Some questions for the Trump supporters who feel entitled to act like anarchists by disrupting and stopping traffic: What gives you the right to break the law? What gives you the right to potentially delay firefighters, E.M.T.s and law enforcement doing their jobs?
Do you really think rudeness and recklessness are the best ways to try to show your support for your favored candidate? Do you see any irony in breaking the law to show your support for the self-proclaimed law-and-order candidate? How many of you would be outraged if antifa did exactly what you all did?
Max Mania
Eugene, Ore.
Source: Read Full Article