Donald Trump fiercely criticized Hillary Clinton for making paid speeches to Goldman Sachs. Now Trump has chosen as his secretary of the Treasury Steve Mnuchin, a former partner at Goldman Sachs who made billions foreclosing on the homes of the very men and women Trump promised to protect from Wall Street fat cats. I guess when Trump promised to “drain the swamp” he meant he would do it by moving all the snakes into his administration.
Daniel Welch, Glen Ellyn
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Presidency requires intellect
Donald Trump is proof positive some voters listened too closely to his rhetorical speeches and falsification. He bullied his way to the presidency and will deceive those who rallied on his behave to carry the torch. President Barack Obama, though not perfect, has proven to be a man of intellect, and an articulate speaker who chooses his words carefully and presents himself diligently, which made America proud. The job demands hard-core perfection, not a flap jaw with an ego.
Richard J. White, Elmhurst
Close plastic bag loophole
I am extremely concerned about the environment and was pleased when the city took the position to ban plastic bags. However some merchants are getting around the ban through a loophole and are actually hurting the environment even more than before the ban was imposed, by using reusable heavier plastic bags. It is my opinion that these reusable bags are just as disposable as non-reusable bags. Legislation needs to be proposed to close this loophole.
Gloria Mallasch, Irving Park
Elections were rigged
I hate to admit agreeing with The Donald, but the elections have been rigged. Well before the Voting Rights Act was allowed to fade away, many states had started to design election laws to disenfranchise millions of voters and make it more difficult to vote early or register at the polls. Most of these measures were aimed at black and Hispanic populations, in order to negate votes state legislatures assumed would be predominately Democratic or independent.
I do not support Clinton, who I think by her arrogance and blindness gave the election away, and would have liked to have seen alternate, independent candidates given an audience to express themselves. Once Bernie Sanders was denied the nomination by heavy-handed methods, we were confronted with a fait accompli of two (almost equally unacceptable) choices and other options were totally ruled out. This is not democracy.
John Obeda, West Andersonville
Save progressive radio
President Barack Obama suggested that wealthy progressive individuals should finance media outlets to counter the all pervasive conservative media. I agree. I am so tired of going to a doctor’s office, a hotel lobby, a bank, a restaurant or other place where people gather and seeing nonstop Fox News. I often turn the station myself or, if I can’t find the controller, I ask a manager to turn the channel because I am offended.
I saw very successful progressive radio stations near San Francisco and Los Angeles be bought out and become right-wing talk stations. The wildly successful progressive radio station near Madison, Wisconsin, was recently turned into a station playing nonstop Christmas music. The new programmers don’t seem to care if they lose money doing this. They believe that broadcasting their views is worth it.
Over 90 percent of radio stations carry only right-wing talk. There are very few with progressive programming. This bias in programming has also crept into television, especially with the recent campaign season and media’s fascination with Trump and personality rather than hard issues.
Until the overall media presents all political views and facts over personality and sensationalism, our nation is doomed to lose its fundamental rights and freedoms. It seems that we will only see more progressive media outlets when wealthy liberals loosen up their purse strings and make it happen. They should be like the conservatives and put their money where their mouths are and be willing to get their views out there even if they lose money doing it. Talk is not cheap in radio and television, but our future depends on the American public receiving balanced media.
Seeing those being nominated for Cabinet positions by President-elect Donald Trump causes me to fear that we are already on our way to losing our constitutional rights and freedoms.
Karen Wagner, Rolling Meadows
