Trump and Musk: two megalomaniacs further ruining the United States of America | Opinion
Musk and Trump
The USA is now being run (and ruined) by two megalomaniacs. Elon Musk prances around a stage with a chain saw and boasts that he cheerfully spent a weekend putting tens of thousands of the world’s starving children through a woodchipper. In the background he made sure that Federal agencies that had Tesla and Space X under investigation were neutralized. Trump, meanwhile, tells an outrageous lie that Ukraine started the war, but with the confidence that 20 percent of the electorate is so stupid/uninformed that it will believe him and another 20 percent doesn’t care. The Congress members these people elected just cut Medicaid to give the money to the rich.
Has America always been such a terrible country at heart and we just didn’t know it until the selfish, conspiracy-minded crazies showed up on social media? They have now made it seem normal that selfish, ugly feelings could be revealed without embarrassment. Major examples: Disruption of vital Federal services and USAID; ruination of lives of non-political civil servants; firing of 17 agency inspectors general (so corruption, fraud, waste, and abuse can be freely pursued by Trump); firing the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (black) and Navy head Admiral (woman); USA vote in the UN aligned with Russia, North Korea.
Thinking people know that we are in real trouble.
Michael Kennedy, Lexington
Disgraceful meeting
No matter one’s politics, the treatment of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the hands of President Donald Trump and Vice-President JD Vance, with Cabinet members and the world watching on Friday, Feb. 28, was a disgrace.
If you do not support U.S. funding (of obsolete equipment no less, not general funds) for the war in Ukraine so be it. But for our President to bully, harass, demean, degrade and threaten a Democratic leader of a sovereign country who is fighting for his country and his countrymen’s democratic future was arrogant and shameless. I cannot be the only American citizen who felt horror, sadness and a loss of our way.
Then, for our Vice-President to scream at that leader, who has carried the democratic fight against Russia (Russia, the oligarchy that invaded Ukraine and has never stuck to any previous peace agreements!) “Why don’t you say thank you?” And this from a Vice President who has never been to Ukraine or seriously spoken with Zelenskyy? It was cowardly.
I am glad Zelenskyy left before lunch was served. It would have been hard to stomach.
Terry Quarles, Frankfort
Russian influence
Now we know what all those phone calls President Donald Trump had with Russian President Vladimir Putin were about. Trump wants to ingratiate himself to his heartthrob. So, for a pat on the head, he’s changed the narrative on Ukraine and is preparing to hand it over to his idol. He, no doubt, thinks Putin will give him (not the USA) access to Ukraine’s mineral resources so he can exploit them. He’s backing away from anything that would save us from Russian influence and rolling over to expose his jugular all to prove his loyalty. His stance on Ukraine is an example of what he’ll give Putin when Russia broaches our shores.
Trump and his minions are doing everything in their power to weaken America. He’s making us sicker and wants to add deforestation and increased pollution to speed that along.
No wonder the number of immigrants at the border has decreased. We’re rapidly becoming no better than the dictatorships they live in.
Glenna Brouse, Lexington
Anti-Trump letters
I have been interested to see the number of anti-President Donald Trump letters to the editor since the Inauguration. Many focus on the writer’s assessment of the President’s moral character. While Trump may possess some character challenges, I don’t believe many of us are in a position to judge. We elected a President, not a spiritual leader.
Contrary to the belief of Democrats, there was only one choice to make in the 2024 election. The United States simply could not have survived another four years of open borders, anti-law enforcement policies, lack of a strong national defense, and massive unfettered federal spending. Rather than “saving democracy,” a win by Vice President Kamala Harris would likely have spelled the end of our republic.
Michael Anderson, Lexington
Working for benefits
U. S. Rep. Andy Barr, R-Ky., wants U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell’s seat so he can more vigorously defend President Donald Trump’s agenda. He also states that Medicaid recipients should “get a job to earn their benefits.”
Well, Mr. Barr, most recipients DO work, but they make too little to afford health insurance. Of course, there are total deadbeats on Medicaid like my sister, Joanne, who was on Medicaid for five years. Her end stage kidney failure took up five hours a day, five days a week for dialysis. Well, take heart Andy! She died!
You know, she never asked for much, Andy, just the level of health coverage her tax dollars bought for you and your family for the past 12 years.
Constance Story, Louisville
Missing in action
I echo Howard Stovall’s well-worded Letter to the Editor — is our representative avoiding us?
The National Republican Congressional Committee Chair U.S. Rep. Richard Hudson, R-N.C., came out on March 4th and encouraged Republican representatives to no longer hold in-person town halls. When I called U.S. Rep. Andy Barr’s, R-Ky., offices - receiving voicemails each time - I asked when he would see us. Today, I received an intern call-back: Rep. Andy Barr will not be doing in-person town halls for the foreseeable future. It appears he will tow the party line instead. Hopefully this fear of in-person events translates to an indefinite suspension of in-person meetings with fundraisers or lobbyists, though I doubt it.
But now the kicker - no virtual town halls are scheduled either! The House is out of session March 17-21, but as of March 10, Barr has no town hall planned. We can sign up on the virtual town hall listserv and hope to hear eventually. I suspect we will next be heard when we become “soon-to-be-voters” again instead of constituents.
Emma L. Scott, Lexington
Coleman pension settlement
Ky. Attorney General Russell Coleman has secured a huge win for Kentucky. After almost a decade of litigation, Coleman has won $227.5 million for the Kentucky Public Pension Authority, the Kentucky Retirement System, and the County Employee Retirement System.
This settlement follows a years-long suit to recover pension funding hurt by risky investments. First championed by former Attorney General Daniel Cameron, this resolution brings much-needed security to Kentucky’s pension beneficiaries and opens the Commonwealth to a new era of economic prosperity.
However, there are still hurdles to overcome. The settlement is set to be approved by the courts later this month, and lawyers working on follow-on suits are pushing against its approval to ensure their own cases can take precedence.
The courts need to recognize what I recognize: this settlement is a victory that we cannot afford to pass up. If this settlement is not approved, Kentucky and our pensions system could be thrown back into years of lawsuits, leading to instability that hurts our retirees.
Our pensioners have worked hard for us, and their hard work needs to be honored. This settlement will provide that.
Hart County Sheriff Jeff Wilson, Munfordville
Ky Pensions
Our pension system needs relief. For over seven years, millions of dollars that should have been allocated to Kentucky’s public pensions system have been caught up in litigation, and the ones who suffer are those who rely on these pensions. That’s Kentucky’s officers, school administrators and staff, and government employees.
Fortunately, Attorney General Russell Coleman has a solution. Recently, Coleman announced a $227.5 million settlement with the defendants in the ongoing pensions litigation. This settlement would finally end this case and help fund our pensions system.
This is a win across the board. For pension beneficiaries and future beneficiaries, it delivers peace of mind and greater benefits. For the state’s legal system, it allows precious resources and valuable time to be directed toward other issues, keeping Kentucky safe and upholding law and order.
As the courts consider the settlement this month, these benefits must take priority over arguments against the settlement. We have had enough of waiting. Approve Coleman’s settlement and deliver relief now!
Brenda Hackett, Frankfort
Mine safety
Republicans are once again doing what they do, protecting the rich and screwing the poor! Ky. House Bill 196 is a Republican sponsored bill to reduce mine safety. To lower the cost for mining companies, the GOP wants to reduce first aid training for miners! Perhaps before they even think about moving that bill forward, they should spend at least a week going down into the mines and seeing the conditions in which these miners work. They say they support the coal industry and that is true; they just don’t seem to care about the mine workers. A human life saved is worth more than coal company profits! Only those with little respect for miner safety would support HB 196!
Barbara Rave Plymale, Lexington
Ball’s KOGE
Allison Ball, Kentucky’s supposed state auditor, wants to play “follow the idiots” in Washington by asking our legislature to create an efficiency group like Elon Musk’s “Doge” – or the Department of Stupidity.
Yes, that’s just what we need: a group of self-appointed fools prowling through citizens’ records looking for fraud. (Musk has spent millions of dollars and found nothing.)
If Ms Ball wants to promote efficiency, may I propose the following recommendations:
▪ Eliminate all legislators’ benefits (pensions, medical, vacations, holiday pay, kickbacks, free food)
▪ Increase the lobbyist fee from $750 to $500,000 every six months.
▪ All enacted bills must (1) benefit all citizens of the Commonwealth, and (2) must be written by the legislator introducing the bill, instead of fools in Iowa.
▪ All campaign donations are to be taxed at 47 percent and considered income.
If my recommendations are adopted, the legislative session will last two weeks, the lobbyist will leave and laws benefiting Kentuckians will be passed instead of laws regarding the sex lives of inmates. In addition, money from the legislative benefits will be spent on road improvement, education, and the environment instead of Ky. Sen. Robert Stivers’s silk shirts.
Damian Beach, Frankfort
Fascist government
In case you haven’t noticed, our democracy is being incrementally changed to an authoritarian, fascist government. What are the signs?
When the Associated Press is not permitted in a meeting but representatives from Russian media outlet TASS are, that is a truly troubling sign. As the lines are being blurred between the three branches of government, especially as attempts are being to enhance the power and authority of the executive branch, it concerns me. Elon Musk’s roll in the government is but one example.
When elected members of Congress fail to challenge the endless stream of falsehoods and misrepresentations made by President Donald Trump, they have in fact, allowed his falsehoods to be seen as truth. A government cannot function on policies couched in lies. Remember, elections are only fraudulent when Republicans loose.
This administration is a train wreck, and I am hopeful that someone in government will prevent our democracy from running off the tracks.
William Farnau, Lexington
Real Republicans
More people did not vote for President Donald Trump than voted for him. He did not get 50 percent of the vote in the last election. That is not a mandate. In addition, neither he nor the Republican Party ran on the platform of enacting Project 2025. It’s like a bait and switch candidacy.
It makes no sense to claim you want to reduce the federal deficit while proposing a massive tax cut, firing employees of the Internal Revenue Service (the one agency that actually collects revenue rather than spends it), asking to raise the federal debt limit, firing a massive number of federal employees without understanding the local, national and international effects, and while they are at it they want to cut health care and food aid for the poor and social security for the elderly.
The only thing I can conclude is they must be trying wreck the government, crash the economy, and then “privatize” what’s left i.e., the oligarchs buy it up on the cheap. It’s Russian President Vladimir Putin’s plan come to America.
PS: There are no real Republicans left in Congress.
James Mansfield, Versailles
DEI Office
Recently, the Lexington Fayette Urban County Government Council voted to capitulate to President Donald Trump. Before voting, they opened for public comment consideration of an ordinance to eliminate the DEI office, moving that employee to a new position in HR. Seemingly influenced by the public comments they voted NOT to eliminate the office of DEI!
But wait! They did WHAT?!
Our craven council voted to NOT eliminate the office of DEI but to still transfer the worker and hold the DEI position vacant. In their cowardly effort to appease Trump they have bamboozled their constituents.
Lexington has for decades been a beacon of progressive and inclusive policies. Are those days behind us? Is this the beginning of an era of regressive social policies that will drive people out of Lexington?
I invite Lexingtonians to join me and other members of Peaceful Bluegrass Resistance as we protest throughout the Bluegrass region to let our elected officials know how we feel. Capitulation to a tyrannical regime will only ensure future subjugation. It is up to us to hold our elected officials accountable. The time for passive existence is behind us. It is time to stand up for our city and our nation.
Craig Blair, Lexington
Artic drilling
The cancellation of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge lease sale due to zero bids from oil and gas companies underscores a simple truth: Arctic drilling is a financial dead end.
Promised as a $2.2 billion economic boon under President Donald Trump’s 2017 Tax Act, Arctic leases have repeatedly failed, exposing a lie sold to Americans under the pretense of deficit reduction. Investors, companies, and the public are turning away from high-cost, high-risk projects like Arctic drilling. And Congress is stuck in the stone age, pushing a pro-drilling rhetoric that benefits no one.
Meanwhile, the climate crisis is hitting home for all of us. Recently wildfires in California fueled by record heat and drought displaced families and destroyed communities, while insurers withdraw coverage. Experts already expect the damage from recent fires to exceed $52 billion. Drilling in the Arctic exacerbates the crisis already at our doorsteps and just adds to our growing climate price tag.
Instead of clinging to outdated fossil fuel projects, we must prioritize investments in clean energy. Protecting the Arctic Refuge isn’t just about conservation—it’s about ensuring a thriving, resilient future for all.
Deborah Williamson, Frankfort
Edited by Liz Carey