Trump is right that the Pentagon and weapons dealers drive us into war

President Trump’s criticism of the Pentagon’s leaders and their ties to weapons dealers could not be more appropriate. He argues that they want endless wars because they have money to be make through connections with defense contractors. Kudos to the president for speaking the truth. No president other than Dwight D. Eisenhower, in his farewell address, has issued this warning. We are at the mercy of the incestuous relationship among weapons dealers — who make profits beyond the dreams of avarice — the Republican Party and the Pentagon.

Edward Juillard, Morgan Park

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Pot and free markets

Why is the government meting out marijuana licenses like a private school with limited enrollment? Do I need the state’s permission to open a grocery store or any other business?

Let the market decide how many businesses we need and who they should be. Like we do for every other business.

Larry Craig, Wilmette

Liars can’t be believed

President Trump desperately would like people to believe his denial of the story, verified by multiple news outlets, that he has called fallen soldiers “losers” and “suckers.”

But most of us remember all the other claims he has made, from the size of the audience at his inauguration to his recycling of an old internet rumor about a plane loaded with uniformed agitators. He’s been caught in his lies too often.

Frank Palmer, Edgewater

Alternative to progressive tax

How is it that a constitutional amendment to allow a “progressive” income tax in Illinois will be on the ballot on Nov. 3 while other proposed amendments that would do more to fix the state have been ignored?

Where is the constitutional amendment to require the non-partisan drawing of congressional and state legislative districts? Or the amendment to limit the terms of all elected state officials? Or the amendment to eliminate the clause in the state Constitution that prevents changes to a public employee’s pension?

Ted Staroscik, Darien