Redistricting seats to game the system is the plan of a dictator wannabe | Opinion

Unpopular Trump

Unpopular policies from President Donald Trump are driving Republicans to desperate measures, specifically redistricting mid-decade to keep their majority. In Texas there is an attempt to turn five House seats with Trump claiming that since he won Texas he is “owed” those seats — words of a dictator wannabe. Democratic legislators are leaving the state to deny a quorum, which has led Texas Gov. Greg Abbott to threaten to have the FBI arrest them. Leaving the state is not a criminal offense, so arresting them would be quite illegal.

If Texas does this, then states like California and Florida will follow, creating a Mexican standoff. Our neighbor Indiana has nine seats, seven of which are Republican, yet the Vice-President is planning to get the governor to call a redistricting session to get the other two. Fortunately, that will not happen here because even though we have one Democratic seat, we will not be subject to this, thanks to the common sense of Kentuckians who rejected a Constitutional amendment that would allow the legislature to call themselves into special session. Had this passed, our sage solons would be champing at the bit to call a multi-day, six-figure special session to kowtow to Donald Trump.

Jay Hopkins, Frankfort

USAID closes

After six decades of service – and six months of confusion – USAID’s doors have officially closed. Much was said about the agency in its final days – not all of it true. And when it comes to something as important as the American legacy of global leadership, we should be honest: Reform of our institutions to ensure efficacy is a worthy endeavor. But putting the well-being of millions at direct risk by recklessly slashing results-driven, accountable programs will cost lives.

Despite statements to the contrary from government officials, it already has.

In times of conflict, disease, and disaster it always been children who feel the heaviest impacts. Children living with HIV have died without access to antiretroviral drugs or without access to malaria treatment, or antibiotics that might otherwise have cured infections. Children have starved to death after the closure of USAID-supported soup kitchens.

Slashing funding for these programs would endanger countless lives, upend decades of progress, & damage America’s global credibility. U.S. Rep. Andy Barr and U.S. Sens. Rand Paul & Mitch McConnell, all R-Ky., are back home during Congress’ recess. Please continue to fund PEPFAR, Gavi, and the Global Fund and ensure that prior-year funding for those programs is spent as Congress has directed.

Jemal Wade Hines, Morgantown

Peace in Gaza

As an Ahmadi Muslim, I am heartbroken by the ongoing suffering in Palestine and Israel. Innocent civilians, including children, are paying the price for political failures and cycles of retaliation. Every life, regardless of nationality or religion, is sacred.

The Holy Qur’an teaches that killing one innocent person is as if all of mankind has been killed, and saving one life is as if all of mankind has been saved. We must not let the cries of mothers, and the loss of entire families fade into the background of politics.

I urge world leaders to set aside pride and political gain, and instead embrace dialogue, justice, and mutual respect. Peace cannot be built on the rubble of destroyed homes or the graves of children. It must be rooted in fairness and the recognition of each side’s humanity.

Violence begets violence, but courage in seeking reconciliation can change the course of history. Let us demand an immediate ceasefire, unfettered humanitarian aid, and a genuine commitment to a just, lasting peace.

It is time for our leaders to lead — not into further war, but into the light of peace.

Faizan MI Ahmed, Lexington

Helping Kentuckians

In reading U.S. Rep. Andy Barr’s, R-Ky., most recent update I see that his main accomplishment this past month is that he will be introducing legislation to make permanent President Donald Trump’s Executive Order to end “politicized debanking.”

“Politicized debanking” is the practice of banks refusing to make loans based on political or religious prejudices. This, obviously, is a bad practice and I appreciate Barr’s effort to ensure against it. However, politicized debanking is a practice that affects relatively few Kentuckians. There are ways for our representative to help many more people in his state, such as voting to fully fund Medicaid, the Children’s Health Insurance Program and SNAP, which the Congressman refused to do.

As Barr actively campaigns for Senator Mitch McConnell’s seat, Kentuckians need to ponder what he has actually done to improve their lives.

Krisia Rosa, Lexington

Political haters

Personally, I wish we could ban the epithet “haters” from American politics. Don’t you?

Some politicians use that word to stop conversations on contentious issues. They know that anyone branded as a “hater” can be excluded.

The “haters” have nothing to contribute, say the politicians. We aren’t going to dignify their objections with a response, they say.

I don’t believe this tactic ever changes public opinion though. More likely it motivates a political base while doing little or nothing to expand that base. We’re not likely to build bigger political coalitions this way.

It troubles me to think that the politicians are casting their “hater” nets too widely. Sometimes it seems like they are branding everyone who sees things differently as a “hater.”Consider also that most people practice instinctively the age-old proverb that we ought to “hate the sin and love the sinner,” but with the words “sin” and “sinner” taken in the context of our own times.

Their anxiety stems from what people do, rather than people as people. Political spin that brands these feelings as personal hatred is insulting to them and everyone.

Tom Louderback, Louisville

The valuable truth

Truth is more valuable than gold. A lack of faith in truth is a prisoner of denial in delusion that does not know they await only their execution. There is a finality and immutable characteristic of foundational truth’s and among these is that to deny them always renders catastrophe. Truth cannot be forged through will or efforts of deception, it is beyond will, it is real.

Soon a recession will be upon us. Deeper and longer and more devastating than any in even an extreme lifetime’s memory. The architect of this lives under the precept that only gold is power and freedom without the wit that the prison they are confined in will soon confine us all.

The billionaires may run, but when their vaults are filled with uselessness, the prison will cage them as well. We stand on a precipice without wings to fly and escape the abyss below, and the retreat is blocked by the mad and greedy self-possessed arrogant and ignorant with a myopia so short that even as they fall, they will think they are flying.

There’s no preparation for this and unless we rebuke them now that fate will only meet its conclusion.

Robert Moreland, Lexington

Edited by Liz Carey