Letters to the Editor by Pat Atchue

     When politicians and voters waved flags, wearing red hats and T-shirts saying Make America Great Again, did they have a vision in mind? Was putting “America First” merely a slogan or was there a plan for regaining some greatness that was lost?

     The good news is that the Biden administration has a specific and comprehensive plan to achieve real MAGA goals. The 2021 American Jobs Plan is 100% about restoring American greatness and position of global leadership! The vision is a system of railways, roads and bridges set up for a century of heavy traffic with clean energy sources ready for expansion and growth. It’s a plan for nationwide broadband access as well as greater opportunities for higher quality education across the socioeconomic spectrum. This legislation is meant to eliminate the hazards of leaded water pipes and other potential environmental disasters. It beefs up national security around power grids, water supplies and hospitals. It’s a means of job creation at the level of clock-punching, lunch-bucket-toting, blue-collar workers — as such, it’s the best way to put America and its workers first!

     The Build Back Better plan is much more than fixing what’s broken now — it’s a blueprint to rebuild our states and cities from crumbling decline to a modern model for the world to envy and emulate. The argument that it’s too expensive is ridiculous. We cannot afford to leave rebuilding America to future generations. Don’t fret about those corporations and millionaires, they’ll benefit most from a modernized America — modest tax increases will pay huge dividends in the long term. Keep in mind, demand is the true driver of economic growth — good-paying jobs lead to more buying power and increased business profits.

     So, tell all your MAGA friends that the 2021 American Jobs Plan is the best way to put America first and make it great again!

     In 2009 the GOP would not support legislation intended to save America from economic collapse. Their strategy was that by opposing the newly elected Democratic president they’d ensure his reelection defeat — they didn’t care about Americans.

     In 2017 the GOP fully supported a $2 trillion tax cut of which over 80% benefited the top 1%. At the time, the economy was growing and unemployment had reached historic lows. There were no impending economic or health emergencies that called for immediate action. They chose to take care of their wealthy donors.

     Now, in 2021, with the nation fighting to regain its health and economic footing, the GOP has again chosen partisan obstruction over what Americans need. With people in food lines, families facing eviction and small businesses still shuttering, the GOP tells Americans their priority is defeating a Democratic president’s agenda. Even as the popularity of the American Rescue Act reached 70% approval ratings, the GOP said, “No”!

     Democrats will continue to do what’s needed. They’ll support programs that help keep cops, firefighters, nurses, teachers and all workers safely employed. They’ll not stop helping working and low-income families put food on their tables and roofs over their heads. This isn’t about any naked political agenda, this is about being an America that takes care of Americans in need.

     Last week Carole Clark wrote that we’re at a political crossroads. The choice is clear: an agenda of voter suppression and disdain for the will of the people or a return to a nation of empathy, compassion and progress.

     Those who voted for Trump in 2016 did so based on their hopes. Those who vote for Trump in 2020 must do so based on his record.

     Like a second grader excited about getting a star on an art project, he brags about remembering five words. He’s the first president to personally profit by traveling to his own properties over 300 times since the inauguration. He pressured the UK to move the British Open to a Trump golf course. He’s gassed peaceful protesters to get a photo op holding a Bible upside down.

     He wishes accused sexual predator Ghislaine Maxwell well but demeans women of color who were duly elected to the U.S. Congress. He humiliates members of the press who dare to ask uncomfortable questions. He allows no one to disagree with him under penalty of degradation and revenge.

     He abandoned our military allies in Syria and still fails to respond to Russian bounties on our own brave troops. He has undermined our NATO alliance to the benefit of Russian expansionism. He failed to hold Russia to task for election interference or continued occupation of Crimea. In fact, he seeks to reward Russia with inclusion back into the G-7.

     He responds to racial injustice and calls to reform police brutality with increased police brutality. He abandoned a federal COVID response to the states but sends an unrequested occupying army on to American streets. Let’s be clear, these actions seek to exacerbate rather than decrease violence. They are intended as a means to frighten and sow racial divisiveness among what’s left of his white supporters.

     It’s not hyperbole to believe another Trump term would bring unrepairable damage to America. Another four years might change “president” to “dictator." If you vote to re-elect Trump in 2020, there will be no excuses.

     The United States of America took a giant step today toward becoming an autocracy. Irrespective of how you feel regarding the guilt or innocence of Gen. Michael Flynn, you should be aware that the American judicial system was prostituted in order to get him off the hook.

   This case was not ultimately decided by trial. This case was not appealed to a higher court by the defendant based on evidence or some legal error. This case was dismissed because the president of the United States ruled it so. Take a moment to understand the ramifications of this — justice in our country is now in the hands of a sovereign rather than the Constitution. Guilt or innocence now depends on the level of friendship one has with the occupant of the White House. Justice now takes a back seat to political loyalty.

    In truth, the Trump administration has been actively destroying the independence of the Department of Justice and the Judiciary Branch of government for quite a while. In the Roger Stone case as well, the work of federal prosecutors has been undermined to aid a friend of the sovereign. The U.S. attorneys of the Washington, D.C., and Southern District of New York offices have been removed from duty in order to protect Trump friends, family or Trump himself from investigation. Thanks to Attorney General William Barr, America now has a justice system that resembles those in Russia, China and other non-democratic countries. Democracy lost might never be restored.

   Where our nation goes from here is in serious doubt. Believing things couldn’t get any worse is becoming nothing more than wishful thinking. As the Legislative and Judicial branches of government become irrelevant, presidential inaugurations will quickly be replaced by sovereign coronations!

     I’m a concerned parent and grandparent. Are we putting the cart before the horse in our impatient rush to reopen our schools?

    Due to years of underfunding, Arizona’s public schools were already plagued by shortages of teachers, custodial staff, counselors and nurses. Now, as we consider bringing students back, those crucial professional shortages will be even more problematic. Before making a bad situation worse, I believe we should take some time to focus on being better prepared.

    Our children deserve to walk into an educational environment that is clean and safe. Each and every school should have classrooms that are sanitized and staffed by a qualified educator. In the event of illness, every school should have a registered nurse in house. After months of COVID lockdown syndrome (and being exposed to extended close contact with their parents), students should be able to speak with a certified counselor who can provide emotional support.

    I’d like to see every school reopening process invite input from parent and teacher organizations. Additionally, we need to ensure strict compliance with CDC guidelines. We should not leave these crucial and potentially fraught actions to politicians and bureaucrats alone.

    Arizona needs to get back to educating and nourishing our most important resource for future success — our children. Arizona needs to proceed with a careful and comprehensive plan to ensure our children and everyone working in public education are kept safe. Let’s not put the cart before the horse on this one — too much is riding on us getting it right.

     The COVID-19 crisis has brought quite a few issues into sharp focus. While we all continue to do all that we can to keep ourselves, our families and the general public safe and healthy, this might be a good time to look beyond the immediate and urgent — do we need a government larger than one that can be drowned in a bathtub?

   Our American health care system, already known for being the most expensive and least efficient among industrialized nations, is also collapsing under pressure. How do patients afford testing and treatment without extreme intervention by the government? As more Americans lose their jobs, a system built on employment-provided health care coverage can no longer cope.

   There’s no question that our income/wealth top-heavy economy has been toppled quickly and easily. America’s working and low-income families make up nearly 90% of the population but only 10% of the wealth/income. Picture an inverted pyramid, it wouldn’t take much of a push to topple it. Families who’ve struggled to keep up with bills during normal times cannot last more than one or two lost paychecks without catastrophic results. We now need emergency funding in the trillions of dollars to barely stay afloat while exploding the national debt.

   Pandemic and other catastrophic event preparedness has taken a backseat to many other governmental budgetary priorities. Over decades, we’ve ignored the impending danger at our own peril. We’ve built aircraft carriers, tanks and walls but we’re brought to our knees for want of masks, gowns and ventilators.

   Today’s crisis should give us pause to reconsider our nation’s path forward. The immediate and urgent will give way to a future that will depend on long-term policy choices. Will we learn from our past or continue to set ourselves up for more disasters to come? The choice is ours!