Blame Joe and Jill Biden, not Republicans, for upcoming Trump inauguration | Opinion

Blaming the Bidens

Since before and after the election of Donald Trump as president of the United States, I have read endless letters to the editor condemning him and the Republican Party. However, not one of those authors addresses the elephant in the room. We must admit that Trump’s election win falls squarely at the feet of President Biden and his wife, Jill.

At the beginning of 2024, had the Bidens been honest with the American people about Joe Biden’s declining mental health, Democrats would have explored the normal primary process and nominated a worthy candidate who might have been able to win the general election.

The Bidens deprived the American people of this process. As such, I place the blame squarely on them.

Eric P. Littman,

Boca Raton

Seek justice

In 1958, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. wrote, “True peace is not merely the absence of tension; it is the presence of justice.” With a rise in geopolitical tensions, social inequities and contentious rhetoric since the turn of the century, those words still resonate today.

To get at the root of growing worldwide tensions, King emphasized that the only way to drive them out is by seeking justice.

In the Quran, Islam’s holy book, Muslims are likewise instructed to champion justice by “the doing of good to others; and giving like kindred.” In the connected world we live in, displaying kindness and seeking justice for one another like kindred goes beyond the act itself. It inspires selflessness and empathy in those who witness it.

If every person takes it upon themselves to do right by others, as King suggested, we may have a chance of leaving our accumulated tensions in the first quarter of this century. Striving toward true justice for all is the only way to ensure a peaceful society.

Shakila Choudhry,

Royal Palm Beach

Democracy struggles

In the Jan. 15 letter, “Trump has it,” the writer asked if 77 million voters lost their moral compass. The answer is “yes.” They voted for someone who stirs division, fear and anger. He is also the first convicted felon elected president. More importantly, the writer stated that when Donald Trump and Vice President-elect JD Vance assume office, they will be demonstrating “democracy in action.”

What happened to “democracy in action” four years ago when Republicans refused — and continue refusing to this day — the legitimacy of Joe Biden’s election?

Sadly, we have to worry if democracy really works, or only if the Republican candidate wins.

Sylvan Seidenman,

Miami

Party defection I

Re: the Jan. 14 Miami Herald editorial, “Democratic defections are bad for the state and democracy.” First, there is nothing “democratic” about the Democratic Party. Second, I totally disagree. Defections from the party will not harm the federal government.

History has shown that when Democrats are in power, democracy goes out the door in favor of their whims and desires, which are generally nothing resembling democracy.

Dave Schaublin,

Key Largo

Party defection II

Thank you, U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst. You have finally pushed me over the edge. I am leaving the Republican Party and signing up as Independent.

For nearly 10 years, I have been thoroughly disgusted with what the GOP has become. Now, I am speechless to hear that a decorated female army veteran who claims to have been sexually harassed while in the military would even consider voting for a drunk and disorderly misogynist who cannot even successfully run a small nonprofit.

All this for a seat at the Trump table?

This is an affront to women in the military and a clear and present danger to the United States. I must have confused you for someone who has guts. Perhaps you should schedule a lunch date with Liz Cheney.

Jeannette Garcia,

Miami

Elixir of life

As I read Karin Stahl’s Jan. 15 letter, “Good chemistry,” ruing the shameful situation of pharmacy deserts, it brought back similar memories of Tate’s Pharmacy and Dr. Tate in Miami when I was a child.

At Allen’s Drugs, near Coral Gables, where my kids had similar experiences, pharmacist Al Collazo and his staff would help us navigate the sometimes confusing world of medications and insurance. Then we would chat about everything under the sun. While we waited for prescriptions to be filled, we also enjoyed milkshakes or meals at the pharmacy diners.

It’s truly a shame those pharmacies no longer exist. As the writer stated, the sense of community and caring has been lost.

Lynn Guarch-Pardo,

Coral Gables

Expectations

I voted for Donald Trump because he promised to once again make us energy independent, to make our southern border secure, to make our country safer and to keep men out of women’s sports and out of their bathrooms and locker rooms.

I expect a stronger stance against terrorism and those who wish to destroy Israel. No doubt he will deal more firmly with Russia, China, North Korea and Iran.

I want him to push back on the censorship and biased coverage we have seen from social and news media the past four years and to eliminate the hateful, divisive and dangerous political rhetoric we saw from an administration that called its political opponents “Hitler” and threats to democracy. Such talk resulted in two attempts to assassinate Trump.

I expect less wokeness and DEI appointments and less identity politics.

I do not want to see the justice system used to attack political rivals or see attacks on the courts for decisions the administration does not agree with. I want America the way it should be and not the way some zealous ideologues with dystopian dreams want it to be.

Charles Michael Sitero,

Ormond Beach

Curses!

I’ll be swearing, but I won’t watch President-elect Donald Trump’s swearing in.

Why witness a witless wretch place his open hand on a solemn book he once dimwittedly held upside down? Why listen to a lying lech take an oath he’s already broken, making a mockery of the inaugural ceremony?

Pundits speculate but can’t predict how much more havoc he’ll wreak and who will be targeted for revenge. A malicious megalomaniac has told the world what he plans to take, “by force if necessary.”

Pat Milone,

Redland

Scott’s hypocrisy

While watching our own U.S. Sen. Rick Scott question Defense Secretary-nominee Pete Hegseth at the Jan. 15 hearings, I thought, what a hypocrite! Scott, uttering the word “accountability,” should not even be allowed.

From 1987 to 1997, Scott headed the for-profit health care company Columbia/HCA. In 2000, the government fined the company $1.7 billion for defrauding Medicare, Medicaid and for ordering unnecessary medical tests. He denied knowing anything about the fraud.

Really?

Obviously, Scott doesn’t quite fully understand the meaning of “accountability.”

Marsha Broad,

Miami

Wine is life

One more product is being demonized, as many in the past have. Just as eggs were once demonized until new studies revealed they are not as bad as many thought, some are now trying to link alcohol and cancer.

Alcohol, especially wine, has been with us since humans learned to ferment fruit. It is a part of every celebration, from a newborn to the coronation of a king or queen. It is the finest accompaniment for any meal, from quail to cheeseburger. There is nothing that gives more joy than sharing a drink with a brother, parent, or close friends over good conversation.

I will therefore continue to share that bond, even over a possible link with cancer. Viva happy hour.

Guillermo A. Martinez,

Coral Gables