I am a Democrat, and I think that ousting House Speaker Kevin McCarthy was the most ridiculous thing I have seen since Donald Trump’s election.
This sets a terrible precedent, and it is all the more disgusting and awful because the person responsible for it is Rep. Matt Gaetz, who himself is under investigation for unethical behavior. I cannot believe that this bad boy, who does not in the least belong in Congress, influenced this vote.
I have to believe that the whole idea of working across the aisle is what democracy is all about, and the fact that this happened to McCarthy as punishment for actually doing that is reprehensible.
I am beginning to fear that only fools and blowhards are being elected to run our country.
I fear for our lives. I really do.
Barbra Nightingale, Hollywood
D.C. in utter chaos
If only Republicans would stick together the way Democrats do, and quit trying to assassinate one another, they might win more elections.
Instead of all the infighting, the GOP should focus on what matters most to Americans: high gasoline and grocery prices, surging crime with no solution, and the crisis on the Southern border.
Due to the young and brazen Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida, Washington is now in utter chaos and the focus is on electing a new House speaker.
It stinks to high heaven.
JoAnn Lee Frank, Clearwater
On climate change
I am writing in response to the recent Sun Sentinel news article that King tides are returning to South Florida.
Our beaches and warm weather are among the attractive features of living in or visiting South Florida. Unfortunately, these characteristics, as well as sectors of the economy such as boating and fishing, are threatened by King tides and flooding.
Although these phenomena are normal in this region, climate change has exacerbated the size and the scope of the impact they have on people’s everyday lives, the local economy and the tourist sector. These issues will only get worse if we don’t act against climate change.
As citizens, a practical and useful way to help is by making our voices heard to our representatives in Washington. We can urge them to endorse legislation that will clean up our energy grids and reduce polluting emissions that disrupt the climate and warm our planet. I would like to urge U.S. Rep. Frederica S. Wilson of Miami to support the so-called Big Wires Act with her vote, to ensure that all Americans have cleaner and more reliable energy grids.
We really can work together to create a better future.
Laura Lugo, Miramar
Trump, smoke and mirrors
It was with laughter that I read the letter to the editor from Dr. Erik H. Schot that stated that since he has been in real estate for 30 years, he can “assure” us that it would be “impossible” for Donald Trump to deceive or defraud banks, insurers and others.
Schot says “banks and insurers have to engage appraisers to evaluate the price of land and structures before signing off on real estate transactions.”
Does he really think we’re all that stupid? This is common knowledge. However, it’s also common knowledge that anyone can be “bought off,” and in Trump’s case, this has been happening for decades.
I also work in the real estate industry, and unfortunately, rules, regulations and laws are violated all the time. Checks and balances work well, if people follow the rules, laws and have scruples. If you have unscrupulous principals who will “pay off” unscrupulous appraisers, realtors, bankers, etc., then you have the “empire” that Trump built, and it was all done with smoke and mirrors.
Ellen Brown, West Palm Beach