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Donald Trump needs a lesson in diplomacy

DEAR EDITOR:

I do not want the United States to acquire Greenland or the Panama Canal, especially through our military or economic strength. I do not want the nation of Canada to be annexed as the 51st state. I am horrified to hear that the new Trump administration has even suggested such oligarchic maneuvers. Trump is acting just like Vladimir Putin — he sees those things and wants them, and he seeks to take them. That’s Russia, not America.

I did not vote for Donald Trump, but I want him to succeed for the good of the nation. I want him to carry out the agenda that he discussed before the election, which included cutting taxes for the middle class, reducing grocery store prices, continuing to drill for oil and implementing needed border reforms.

I do not want him to deport millions of immigrants. People had not realized the costs of rounding up so many people and the loss to our local budgets without the taxes those immigrant workers contribute. If the deportations must occur, I want them to be conducted in a humane manner. It’s too bad Trump told the GOP to vote down the bipartisan border bill last May just so Biden would not get the credit. Trump must not harass Mexico, which cannot control who comes here.

I fear what will happen if people protest seizing the lands belonging to other nations. I do not want Trump to unleash the military on citizens who exercise their First Amendment rights. Throughout these consequential discussions, people are wondering what to do if the military is sicced on American citizens. Alexander Hamilton, who wrote most of The Federalist Papers, was shocked at the idea that the military would be turned on the citizens, because our taxes pay their salaries.

I imagine if Trump attacks Canada, a NATO nation, then he will cause Article V of NATO to be invoked against us. And, again, I don’t want my tax dollars used to pay for those expansions. John Bolton, of Trump’s former Cabinet, has speculated that Trump wants to acquire those lands so that he can build casinos or hotels.

Republicans won, but they are still hostile to Harris’ supporters. I thought the election would reunite us. Instead, someone wrote in this paper that Democrats are socialists who spend the little money they have on piercings and tattoos. He said we destroy oil and sell gas to the Chinese.

Trump cannot overturn portions of the Constitution with an executive order. He cannot just be a tyrant. No part of Project 2025 is acceptable. I am waiting for leaders of both parties to come forward and advise Trump on these misconceptions.

LINDA COCUZZI RICHTER

Niles

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