Letters to the Editor | Feb. 23, 2025

When Low Cut Connie and Issa Rae cancel their Kennedy Center shows in response to Donald Trump’s takeover of that important cultural arts venue, they play right into his grasping hands while he just smiles and cuts another notch in his anti-democracy belt. Why self-censor when there’s growing danger of Trump and his henchmen finding new ways to muzzle artists? In the meantime, it seems to me the stronger and more brave response would be to take that stage, fire up the sound system, and speak truth to power for as long as possible.

Albert Palubinsky, Philadelphia

Here are three statements I offer in the wake of Donald Trump calling Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky a “dictator” and accusing Kyiv of starting the war with Russia. The first is my own: “My God, the White House is now occupied by a Russian Stooge.” The second is from Republican Sen. David McCormick: (This space intentionally left blank). The third — my favorite quotation thus far in the 21st century — is from Liz Cheney: “I say this to my Republican colleagues who are defending the indefensible: There will come a day when Donald Trump is gone, but your dishonor will remain.”

William Dunham, Bryn Mawr

The unprecedented firing of federal government employees has nothing to do with efficiency, corruption, or waste. It is all about money. Donald Trump must find a way to fund the tax cuts he has promised the rich (including himself and his family). Even his own party may balk at the deficit such a reduction would cause. The answer is to take away the jobs of the middle class and cause a reduction in government services for us all. An added bonus? The ensuing government dysfunction will create more distrust of government programs and allow Trump to take even more control. A win-win for him, a tragedy for Americans.

Joan Shal, Blue Bell

Republicans in Congress are talking about cutting the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (food stamps) and Medicaid so they can pass tax cuts to benefit billionaires. Since they have control of Congress as well as the presidency, this is more than just chatter. SNAP and Medicaid are programs that serve our nation’s poor. These programs put food on the table and provide the most basic health services to those who need them desperately. More than two million Pennsylvanians receive SNAP, and nearly three million are on Medicaid. These are valuable programs that feed the hungry and heal the sick. Please call your federal lawmakers in support of SNAP and Medicaid. No billionaire needs another yacht so badly that we should allow fellow Americans to go hungry or suffer preventable illnesses. We need to be sure those who vote on our behalf know that.

Kierstyn Zolfo, Yardley

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