Congress is sitting silently as Trump destroys the U.S. government | Opinion

Stupid policies

On July 14, the U.S. Supreme Court enabled the executive branch to cripple the Department of Education by firing 1,400 employees. Add these actions to the disastrous firings at the U.S. State Department; purges of expertise at Justice; massive layoffs at Interior, including 1,500 at the National Park Service; destruction of USAID; even the planned elimination of NOAA climate laboratories.

Why?

A good question that begs for more than bumper-sticker banality like, “we are putting an end to Biden-era madness.”

Ask your congresspersons in what universe is the reckless expulsion of expertise a great idea? Ask them if the country is made great by tearing up international agreements, withdrawing from global organizations, treating international trade as buffoonery and empowering dictators like Russian President Putin?

Ask them if America is better if the balance of executive, legislative and judicial branches of government are obliterated under the unqualified leadership of a single man? Does anyone remember Fidel Castro?

We are seeing the destruction of government institutions that have served us not perfectly, but effectively, for decades. This is unforgivably stupid, sad and unnecessary. Yet it seems perfectly acceptable to our elected representatives. We should let them know they’re tragically wrong.

Thomas Carsey,

Palmetto Bay

Narrow margins

Re: the July 16 Miami Herald online editorial, “Brightline’s deadly tracks: Why blaming train’s victims is a lethal cop-out.” Did the Miami Herald or WLRN bother to notice the “No Trespassing” signs along the FEC Right of Way (RoW)? Or note that railroad tracks are private property and that unauthorized people who cross onto the RoW are trespassers?

All the crossings where pedestrians and traffic are allowed to cross are protected with crossing gates, numerous flashing red lights and loud bells when a train is approaching. This means pedestrians and traffic must stop and not cross the tracks.

People who live near the train tracks (many have been present in South Florida for more than 100 years) had the audacity to complain about train horns, so now most South Florida rails are quiet zones and the engineers can only sound the horn in an emergency; by then, it is almost too late.

Virtually every person who was hurt or killed by Brightline, Tri-Rail, CSX and FEC is at fault and responsible for their actions. Perhaps it is way easier to blame the trains and that is what the people want to hear.

We live in an overdeveloped, overpriced, overcrowded area where self-centered, self-important people are distracted by their Smartphones as they walk and drive about. They are causing accidents or getting themselves and maybe others killed. That is the root of the problem.

The train always wins. When you see tracks, think trains and do not compromise safety features just to save 30 seconds in your life, because it could be the end of your life.

Cully Waggoner,

West Kendall

Fallen stars

Cuba’s government recently said there are no beggars, just fakers in the island nation. In the U.S., our government cuts Medicaid and politicians claim that poor people don’t really need it and are engaged in waste and fraud.

In Venezuela, the Maduro regime made political enemies disappear. In the U.S., ICE is making people disappear and has gone after visitors with legitimate visas but the “wrong” political beliefs. The U.S. also has deported people to Venezuela, and Maduro can make them disappear.

In the past, Nazis built concentration camps, originally for political prisoners. Recently, Florida built one in the Everglades. Perhaps we are choosing the wrong role models.

Chris Cosner,

Pinecrest

Broken treaties

When is a contract not a contract?

When dealing with the federal government, which has clawed back monies already committed to PBS and foreign aid. These entities had promised jobs and commitments to other projects. Now it appears that any contract the United States agrees to is just day-to-day.

Our allies and citizens can no longer rely on the word of our government. What have we become?

Sol Yanowitz,

Miami

Sensible act

The “Dignity Act,” as proposed by U.S. Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar, is a rational start to sorely needed immigration reform in this country. Introduce the bill and get started on meaningful debate.

If President Trump wants to be remembered for a popular and positive major domestic political shift, like Presidents Reagan and Nixon decades earlier, this is the perfect issue and time.

David Ward,

Reno, NV

Costly lots

Why is the Village of Islamorada considering spending $500,000 in taxpayer funds to create 30 parking spots — more than $16,000 per space — on public property to benefit the private, gated Angler’s Reef community?

These $52 million-plus homes already provide private parking. If they need overflow space for guests, trailers, or renters paying $930 nightly, that’s a private planning issue — not a public burden. When nearby Hog Heaven Sports Bar & Grill needed parking, it bought adjacent land.

Why can’t Angler’s Reef lease or buy its own parcel, or pave over a few overpriced and overbuilt condos?

The proposed lot would destroy natural vegetation on Windley Key’s median, degrading the landscape for 22,000 passing vehicles and contradicting our Village’s environmental goals.

Angler’s Reef doesn’t even allow public access. Allowing well-connected and well-represented private HOAs to offload costs onto taxpayers sets a dangerous precedent, not to mention legal liability.

The taxpayer funds could go to real community needs, like road safety for all 7,000 residents, not just the wealthy, many of whom are absentee landlords. Public funds should serve the public, not subsidize gated luxury. Islamorada must choose capitalism over cronyism.

Ken Thomas,

Islamorada

Clean up MIA

Though we live in Southwest Florida, we most often fly out of Miami International Airport. Signage to the airport is confusing and frustrating; most troubling however, is the airport’s condition: dirty and disorganized, with elevators, people movers, or escalators usually (or always) out of order.

This is especially striking when we return from Asian or European airports, which are beautiful and efficient. I am always ashamed when I land at MIA and think this is the first impression foreign travelers have of our country.

If this is the best that MIA Director and CEO Ralph Cutié can do, then maybe it is time for a new director.

Eva Sands,

Bonita Springs

Detention camp

As a board member of the Interfaith Alliance of Southwest Florida, I condemn the establishment of the Everglades detention center known as “Alligator Alcatraz.” As a member of the Jewish community of Naples, I am against this abomination that sits an hour from our home.

The Florida Immigration Coalition — and now a Democratic delegation — have seen for themselves the deplorable conditions inside the detention camp that echos our own Jewish history over the centuries.

We, as Floridians, as Jews and as human beings cannot be silent in the face of this pure evil.

Lisa Freund,

Naples

Horrible planning

A recent plane crash near Perry Airport in Pembroke Pines has been horrible for the nearby residents who must deal with this. The city wants a safety study done, but no one has addressed the actual problem.

The airport was built in 1943 by the U.S. Navy for training. Over the years, the city allowed housing developments near and around the airport. How short-sighted by city leaders.

The small planes are sometimes flown by inexperienced pilots in training. There is no place for them to go if they have an emergency. There must be a clear swath for emergencies. This can be accomplished by purchasing, then razing, nearby homes. The cost would be tremendous. And who will pay for relocating the displaced residents?

Robert Lynch,

Davie