Trump wants to force us to use the dirtiest forms of energy possible

About your editorial: “How to stop Trump from jacking up electric bills and hurting our environment” [Jan. 13], the recent decision (in a divided, 2-1 vote) by President Donald Trump’s Federal Energy Regulatory Commission will harm efforts to develop renewable energy in Illinois.

The misguided FERC ruling will increase energy costs to consumers and make the cost of clean renewable energy in Illinois much more expensive. The net effect of the FERC ruling will be to encourage the use of older, dirtier forms of energy. At a time when it is more important than ever to use clean, renewable energy, Trump and FERC want to force us to use the dirtiest forms of energy possible.

The State of Illinois can reverse the harmful effects of this ruling by passing clean energy legislation that would continue the development of clean energy in Illinois. If you believe in the beneficial effects of clean, renewable energy, please raise your voice in opposition to FERC’s (and Trump’s) recent ruling. Call Gov. J.B. Pritzker and urge him to pass clean energy legislation now.

Mark Kraemer, Wilmette

Cruel punishment

For the duration of the Senate impeachment trial of President Donald Trump, however long that might be, senators will have to sit through the trial and remain silent. Doesn’t the Constitution prohibit cruel and unusual punishment?

Gerald Weisberg, Lake View

Canceled primaries

The impeachment trial, tensions with Iran and a world on fire has the American people rightfully distracted. However, with an election this year, we cannot afford to avoid the elephants in the room.

The elephants represent the multiple Republican primary challengers to President Trump. The Republican Party, and the entire country, are tip-toeing around those elephants at all costs. In fact, the GOP has unilaterally canceled 10 state primary elections or allowed onnly Trump’s name on the ballot. This action is fundamentally un-American, and guess what? No one is talking about it.

The corporate media, our feckless leaders and people on the street are not raising one iota of an objection to President Donald Trump’s autocratic action. Do the primary challengers have a chance? Absolutely not. Regardless, this issue is about the principle. If we lose free, fair and open elections, by our own hand, we will do the Russians’ work for them. If we lose truth, justice and the American way, all will be lost. We the people demand that Trump allow all elections to continue unabated. If he fails to do so, he is not worthy of the presidency of the United States.

Henry J.H. Wilson, Barrington