Letters: Obama's successes will be a tough act for Trump to follow

I was disheartened by the Nov. 28 editorial cartoon by Dave Granlund depicting two wrecking balls labeled "Trump" and "GOP Congress" about to figuratively demolish the Obama White House legacy. But on further reflection, I realized that much of President Obama's legacy is irrefutable and indestructible. When he took office in 2009, the Dow was below 8000; two of the big-three auto makers were preparing to file for bankruptcy; and unemployment was almost 8 percent. As Obama leaves office, the Dow is closing in on 20,000; the big-three auto makers are on solid footing; and the unemployment rate is 4.9 percent.

In 2009, we were in the midst of a seemingly endless war in Iraq, which cost thousands of U.S. military and Iraqi civilian lives. Today, we have assumed an advisory role in Iraq. More Americans are covered by health insurance than at any time in our nation's history. But by far the most significant aspect of the Obama legacy is having brought Osama bin Laden to justice with the guidance and advice of then-Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. In spite of vile comments regarding our president, Donald Trump has a very tough act to follow.

|Chris Butto, Bryn Mawr, chris.butto@gmail.com

Since the Democrats are railing about the systemic unfairness of the Electoral College and the system in general being flawed, let them show by example. Eliminate the super delegates in their presidential nomination system and let the people decide who the Democratic nominee will be, instead of a bunch of political insiders. Let all primaries be open to all the people of a state. Stop filing lawsuits to keep independents off the ballot. Stop using donations from Hollywood stars to run TV ads in Pennsylvania in an attempt to have Pennsylvania residents vote the way Hollywood wants.

Hillary Clinton decided that the little states and little people didn't matter. They were "deplorable." If the Democrats had their way, there would be a new Electoral College composed of Wall Street and Hollywood millionaires. But the Democrats won't do a thing. Both parties are content with taking turns at running things and taking care of their friends when it's their turn. They care little about the country.

|John F Belzner, West Chester, jfbelzner@aol.com

The Vision Zero task force charged with improving traffic safety must address the habits of drivers, pedestrians, and bicyclists alike, in addition to street design ("The road to ending car carnage," Nov. 25). In a single day driving through Philadelphia streets, I was frightened by a driver running a red light behind a pedestrian who was already halfway across the street; a pedestrian in dark clothes crossing against the light at night without even looking up from his phone; and a couple of young boys doing wheelies in front of my car (also at night). An effective campaign to improve behavior and enforce driving laws is a needed complement.

|Ina Asher, Merion Station, lasher88@hotmail.com

Regarding State Rep. Kate Harper's letter ("The system will protect us," Nov. 22) trying to assure us we have nothing to fear from a Trump presidency because we are a government of laws, and not of men: Slavery was legal. Jim Crow laws were legal. Using prisoners as slaves is still legal. The internment of American citizens of Japanese and German ancestry was legal.

Forgive me if I am not reassured.

|Jules Mermelstein, Dresher, jules.mermelstein@gmail.com