Haridopolos is too tied to Trump<\/p>\n
This is in response to your editorial board\u2019s endorsement of Mike Haridopolos for U.S. House. As far as I can tell, Haridopolos has abandoned any individual thought and has abdicated his oath to the Constitution. He is nothing more than a rubber stamp for Trump\u2019s agenda which has challenged the three branches of government with his abuse of executive power.<\/p>\n
Mike was a \u201cyes\u201d vote on what I call The One Big \u201cUgly\u201d Bill, legislation that extended tax cuts for the rich and corporations, increased funding for immigration enforcement and defense while reducing projected federal spending on Medicaid and food assistance. Not a great deal for everyday Americans in Florida.<\/p>\n
Mike was a \u201cyes\u201d vote on the SAVE Act which requires documentary proof of citizenship \u2014 which sounds good on paper, but in practice could create barriers for eligible citizens to vote if they don\u2019t have ready access to all their records. There has been extremely little voter fraud found in Florida.<\/p>\n
Mike voted against House Concurrent Resolution 89, which would have directed Trump to remove U.S. forces from hostilities with Iran under the War Powers Resolution. The illegal war has been allowed to continue as gas prices rise.<\/p>\n
Trump\u2019s ballroom and other vanity projects are allowed to proceed without any pushback from our congressman. This raises legitimate questions about congressional spending authority, transparency and the use of public funds for projects championed by the president. What oversight did Haridopolos demand of the administration? None.<\/p>\n
I believe that we, the people of Florida, want and deserve representation by someone who understands the needs of everyday Americans. Jennifer Jenkins will fight for all Americans. She is smart and resilient and focused on people, not party.<\/p>\n
I choose her.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Joy DeBusk, West Melbourne<\/p>\n
Lamenting downtown Orlando\u2019s decline<\/p>\n
You have to be delusional anymore if you believe that Orlando is \u201cThe City Beautiful.\u201d I believe downtown Orlando is dangerous, especially at night. As I see it, it is crime-ridden, plagued with homelessness and drugs, noisy and dirty, and a drag racer\u2019s heaven. I have dissuaded too many family and friends from moving here. It\u2019s sad. This could be a wonderful place.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Alex Della-Valle, Orlando<\/p>\n
Watergate teaches lessons today<\/p>\n
During the Watergate scandal and President Richard Nixon\u2019s 1974 resignation, I taught American government and American history at Sanford Naval Academy.<\/p>\n
I wasn\u2019t simply teaching history from a textbook. I was watching it unfold in real time while explaining to my students the Constitution, separation of powers, and the fundamental principle that no president is above the law.<\/p>\n
The irony was unmistakable. As my students learned about the safeguards of American democracy, they witnessed a presidency testing those very safeguards.<\/p>\n
Watergate demonstrated why a free press, an independent judiciary and congressional oversight are essential to our constitutional system. Ultimately, even members of Nixon\u2019s own party recognized that loyalty to the Constitution must take precedence over loyalty to a president.<\/p>\n
More than 50 years later, I wonder what future American History teachers will tell their students about Donald Trump and this period in our nation\u2019s history.<\/p>\n
Will they teach what actually happened, or a version shaped by those seeking to protect a political legacy?<\/p>\n
My hope is that future generations will examine today\u2019s presidency with the same historical scrutiny we apply to Watergate, regardless of political affiliation.<\/p>\n
History must be remembered, not rewritten to protect those who made it.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Tom Feaster, Tampa<\/p>\n
Politicians\u2019 greed shows ugliness of Americans<\/p>\n
Instead of representing what\u2019s best in America (honesty, integrity, fairness, compassion), our politicians today seem only capable of representing what\u2019s worst in America (greed, aggression, prejudice, callousness). The ugliest ugly Americans. I served in the Armed Forces to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States of America, for this?<\/p>\n
\u2014 S.M. Feiner, Orlando<\/p>\n