Letters to the Editor | Nov. 17, 2024

President-elect Donald Trump and his political supporters would have us believe that his election victory represents a mandate to do everything and anything he wants to do. Not so. Although a majority of voters may have ticked the box for Trump, they do not necessarily agree with, want, or even know about many of the Republican priorities. Most people who voted for Trump don’t want more polluted air and water, less safe food and drug products, tariffs as taxes, or chaos in general, all of which are likely under Trump 2.0.

Trump himself does not seem to have deep-seated feelings about most policy matters — during the campaign, he was evasive or outright lied about issues depending on whom he was speaking to. He’s changed his stance on abortion, and his contradictory statements about housing, education, health care, and foreign policy were vague enough that people heard what they wanted to hear. Most people voted for Trump simply because they wanted a change and were unhappy with the price of groceries, and Trump promised he alone could fix it. Abstract ideas like fascism and a weakened democracy weren’t even on their radar.

Stephen Kunz, Phoenixville, spkunz@aol.com

I am in mourning over the election. Preceding it, I read the thoughts of many others. I shared the view of those who believed Kamala Harris was the most qualified candidate. Timing undermined her emergence, as did the Democratic Party’s failure to identify simmering dissatisfaction among 74 million citizens. I sincerely tried to understand why they supported the Republican candidate even though he did not represent the GOP of his predecessors.

I believe one’s character, words, and personal conduct matter. Yet, millions of Americans primarily voted for the Republican candidate because they felt today’s economy and society have failed them. In response, they propelled their chosen candidate to America’s highest office. Now they will expect his leadership to make their lives better. If his economic policy prevails — economic experts question its viability — consumers may have a few more dollars to spend. However, the true price of his policies across the board is frightening and reflects a disdain for America’s constitutional foundation.

My mourning deepens with each day’s announcement of cabinet members, and which departments may be disbanded. My despair becomes palpable. Nevertheless, I have expressed to my family and friends that Emily Dickinson wrote, “Hope is the thing with feathers.” I will let them know when I find one.

Jacqueline Poppalardo, Voorhees

I have read some articles that state that the Democrats are pointing fingers and playing the blame game after their election losses. It is a shame they still don’t get it. There is only one place to look to find the cause of the Democrats’ loss, and that is the American electorate. The American electorate had a choice between a decent, lifelong public servant who brought a message of unity, hope, and optimism and a man who spewed hatred, division, and violence. They had a choice between a respected prosecutor and a convicted felon. A choice between a strong woman and a man who, in his own words on tape, brags that being a star allows him to sexually assault women. A choice between a principled stateswoman and a man who, in the words of his own running mate, JD Vance, was “reprehensible” and “America’s Hitler.” In the words of Thomas Jefferson: The government you elect is the government you deserve.

Michael Walsh, Elkins Park

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