No Kings marches protested nonexistent threat

I support our First Amendment and our right to free speech and protest when it is something tangible. No Kings Day is not that. First off, I haven’t encountered anyone who has lost a right because of the Trump administration’s policies. Second, as every member of the No Kings protests knows, there are no kings in America and there never has been (George Washington outright rejected the notion).

What we are witnessing is a mass group hysteria wherein the citizenry creates a boogeyman. A monster, so to speak, that continues to grow in their heads. They feed the monster daily with their fantastical delusions and they’re left with what he’s going to do. He’s going to take away our rights is always a good one to build on. He’s going to start World War III, which we’ve heard since 2015. He’s Hitler; comparing a modern-day president to the most evil man in our history is easy fuel to feed their fantasy.

Universal empathy has much to do with this also, pretending to care about every citizen in the country but can’t see past your own community.

They’ve created a monster in their heads just to protest it.

— Philip Morganello, Fountain Hill

No Kings Day can make change happen

Good work, Americans. There were 5 million protesters at the first No Kings Day in June 2025 and 7 million in October. Eight million people gathered across the nation March 28 for the third No Kings Day demonstration.

According to Harvard professor Erica Chenoweth, protest can achieve meaningful change only when at least 3.5% of the population participate in a sustained and active nonviolent campaign.

That’s 12 million people standing up for democracy and the Constitution. That goal is within our sights.

— Kathy Groff, Allentown

Tax break for Eli Lilly project not fair

Eli Lilly and local leaders are celebrating the company’s proposed Upper Macungie project as a major win — jobs, investment and “partnership” with the community. And I agree. This project is exciting. I want it here.

But here’s the issue: if Eli Lilly is truly committed to this community, why are we discussing a tax break that impacts our schools? Let’s be clear. Politicians use the term LERTA, but it simply means a 10-year tax break where one of the world’s most profitable companies doesn’t fully contribute to public education.

At the same time, Parkland School District faces a roughly $20 million budget gap, and residents are once again bracing for higher property taxes just to maintain basic services. So families pay more each year, while a company that grossed $65 billion in 2025 gets a discount?

We’re talking $2million-$3 million annually — insignificant to Eli Lilly, but meaningful for classrooms, teachers and students.

If this is a partnership it doesn’t feel like one to the people footing the bill.

If the school board grants this break while raising taxes on residents, people should call it what it is: hypocrisy.

— Ben Anderson, Upper Macungie Township

Fascism is a risk with Trump administration

The author of the Town Square editorial titled “Don’t make unfair, inaccurate fascism accusation” that appeared in The Morning Call on March 24 has apparently lost his sense of direction and definition. His finger should be pointing at the culprit who makes unfair, inaccurate and inane accusations daily.

The word “fascism” arose first in Italy, where Mussolini “made the trains run on time,” and then was applied to Hitler as its poster child. The term has many connotations, and a long list of behaviors of the current administration fit the definition perfectly. One of those behaviors is distortion of facts and definitions, of which the op-ed was an example. Only two signs of fascism were addressed by the Lehigh County resolution: that (some) government leaders are constantly trying to expand executive authority and intimidate citizens. But other signs include attacks on the free press, control of the economy, manipulating meanings of words.

The resolution of the Lehigh County commissioners and use of the word “fascism” is completely appropriate.

Simply, if it looks, quacks, walks like a duck … The current administration is acting like fascists. This must be seen and addressed everywhere.

— Fred Preuninger, Bethlehem

Reactions to Trump’s initiatives not logical

There might be some readers of age who may remember “blind taste tests.” These were sometimes used in commercials to sell food products. Fast forward to today and compare those blind tests to politics. It’s very clear everything and anything proposed by, initiated by, authored by or even passed by Congress in favor of Donald Trump meets with an immediate negative response and outrage from those who oppose him. These folks many times don’t realize the benefits to them that they are ranting against but they seem to think and ultimately know that it must be bad since it came from Trump. This would all be laughable if it wasn’t so maddening, frightening and ultimately serious. Trump could probably find a way to cure cancer and it would be shown by some to be a negative. That’s how bad it has become.

— Mary E. Wozniak, East Allen Township

Vote for Carol Obando-Derstine

I am supporting Carol Obando-Derstine in the Democratic Party primary on May 19. The winner will run in November to represent the Pennsylvania 7th District in the House of Representatives. We need elected representatives who have experience in getting things done. She was an engineer, with specific experience in energy. As a Latina who is bilingual, she has the ability to listen to and understand all members of the Lehigh Valley. Please look into her background and character. She will represent all residents.

— Robert Sayre, Lynn Township

The Morning Call publishes letters from readers online and in print several times a week. Submit a letter to the editor at letters@mcall.com. The views expressed in this piece are those of its individual author(s), and should not be interpreted as reflecting the views of this publication.

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Letters to the editor about candidates and issues in the May 19 primary election must be received by 10 a.m. May 11. Election-related letters will not be published after May 14.