Letters: Failings of Obama, Clinton, and Trump

ISSUE | CAMPAIGN 2016

Obama's performance lacking, too

What a crazy world we live in when President Obama's popularity soars as he criticizes Donald Trump ("As Obama targets Trump, support rises," Sunday).

Meanwhile, there's the worsening condition of Obamacare ("Affordable Care Act's own health is failing," Sunday). Thirteen of the original 23 co-ops that were a centerpiece of the plan that the president and then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi forced down the throats of the American people have failed, and three others are closing up shop.

And terrorism, which was trending down globally as Obama took office, has escalated partly because of his deemphasis of most aspects of the war on terror ("Upswing in terrorist activity awaits the next president," Sunday).

Something is wrong when the president trash-talks about Trump, and the American people forget about the serious issues we're facing.

|Patricia A. Perrone, Swarthmore, patpr123@aol.com

Clinton's wall

I saw a Hillary Clinton campaign ad Saturday night, "How To," in which the candidate outlined her economic plan. She would make the wealthy corporations pay "their fair share," and would enact an exit tax to try to keep them from leaving the country. So, instead of creating conditions under which corporations would be encouraged to operate and locate here, she would erect an economic Berlin Wall to keep them from leaving.

President John F. Kennedy observed in 1963 that "we have never had to put a wall up to keep our people in."

We need a leader who can convince the wealthy that contributing to the national kitty is in their best interest. If the wealthy are going to pay more, what's in it for them?

|Mike Egan, Philadelphia, mchlegan@gmail.com

Trump preys on voters' fears

Fear is one of society's most primeval instincts, which too often trumps reason and common sense. It is fertile ground for demagoguery, a recurring theme of Donald Trump's presidential campaign. Trump wants us to fear the Muslims seeking to enter the United States, calling for a total ban, and illegal Mexican immigrants, claiming they may be thieves or rapists.

He doesn't answer or engage his critics; he attacks them. When asked how he would handle critical issues - though he lacks experience in military, international, or governmental affairs - his answer is, in essence, "Just trust me, I will handle it." Really?

Trump's goal is not to govern but to rule. His approach to governance has fascist overtones, such as denigration based on race or religion, blind trust in a ruler, obsessive intolerance to dissent or criticism, disregard for international norms, and the promotion of fear.

|Joe Gedan, Honolulu, Hawaii, jgedan@gmail.com