Letters: Readers offer opinions on Trump’s post-election announcements, bipartisanship and the Electoral College
Character matters
One significant window into the characters of President-elect Donald Trump’s nominees for positions in the next administration is that these “well-qualified” candidates have either very low self-esteem or towering hubris.
These men and women, by accepting his appointments, are endorsing the character, outlandish behavior and bizarre statements of the man with whom they will be expected to reason on very difficult and nuanced affairs of state — issues of critical importance to everyone living in the United States.
The most notable of the men who clearly put aside pride and self-respect is Mitt Romney, who has been discarded in favor of secretary of state nominee Rex Tillerson, probably the most egregious choice as of this writing, although Rick Perry is also impossible to countenance.
In what turns out to have become acceptable campaign rhetoric, comments about Trump’s lack of serious qualifications and his dangerous state of mind were voiced often.
Persons who either directly or by general statements were dismissed by him have been seduced into joining his growing list of sycophants.
Does any of them honestly believe there will be the opportunity for reasonable discussions on delicate issues with a man who, it is clear, will govern by sledgehammer?
Steve Sherry
Kansas City
Trump’s interest
On reports of Russian involvement in the U.S. election, President-elect Donald Trump’s transition team derided the CIA as “the same people that said Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction.”
The declassified CIA reports on weapons of mass destruction in Iraq clearly show that they were based on available information and contained significant disclaimers about what was known and not known.
The Republican Bush administration was responsible for presenting the reports to the public as though they were factual knowledge. Those reports also clearly showed no al-Qaida involvement.
Mr. Trump’s thinking here is not muddled or fuzzy. It is a very clear snap reaction to defend himself rather than the interests of the United States, which he will shortly pledge to protect.
Let us hope he chooses to put the protection of the Constitution ahead of personal interest when he takes office, including protecting our electoral process.
Gordon Elliott
Overland Park
Bipartisan action
I readily admit that I fiercely opposed Donald Trump, but I truly believe there should be bipartsan outrage over what may be treason.
And any American who sees Trump publicly attacking the intelligence community to defend Russian President Vladimir Putin’s influence can only conclude it rises to threatening American interests.
“Draining the swamp” should not entail a claim that Trump is “like, a smart person” to justify putting national interests at risk.
Making it partisan tells our enemies they are invited to influence our elections.
The presidential election results must be voided given such treasonous foreign interference to protect Putin’s manipulation.
If we allow the election to stand and do not stand up for America’s interests, the integrity of U.S. elections is destroyed.
Patty Nolte
Kansas City
Who wins?
Donald Trump criticizes Boeing and Lockheed Martin, and their stock prices fall. And he is not even the president yet.
Who was waiting to sell knowing Trump was going to step into the murky world populated by market manipulators? Or who wanted to buy at a lower price? Trump, his children or some good old boys?
What stock will be Trump’s next target?
Robert Hedrick
Liberty
Think hard
I sincerely hope members of the Electoral College do some serious soul searching as they cast their votes for our next president.
They have a responsibility to select someone who does not exemplify the qualities and qualifications of the current president-elect.
Do they think someone who, among other things, creates real potential for discord, more displays of bigotry and general unease and anxiety belongs in the White House?
Let’s hope and pray not.
Michael Molick
Kansas City
This story was originally published December 17, 2016 at 7:13 PM with the headline "Letters: Readers offer opinions on Trump’s post-election announcements, bipartisanship and the Electoral College."