During this presidential election, I truly had more faith that other Americans would be equally as appalled at the idea of building a wall; the mass deportations of immigrants; stripping women of basic human rights over their own bodies; disavowing climate change and global warming; and inviting an enemy country to meddle with our election process.

Need I go on?

I am ashamed, sickened and saddened of the choice millions of people made and, most of all, fear for our children who will witness a real-life nightmare representing us on the global stage (“Trump,” Star-Advertiser, Nov. 9).

I am disgusted that racism, homophobia, xenophobia, sexism and classism is so clearly flourishing in this country. There is no truer demonstration of this than what happened on election night. The “whitelash” is real. We have so much work to do to ensure we preserve what is great about this country — diversity, inclusion and acceptance.

Natalie Spencer

Moanalua

U.S. doomed by Ponzi-like system

The fact that Donald Trump won Wisconsin — the first time in 32 years that state voted for the Republican candidate — and the fact that Trump took most of the Rust Belt states reflect a middle class that is far worse off now than it was eight years ago.

Hillary Clinton was perceived as the candidate who was going to perpetuate the policies that are destroying this country.

The truth is that not much will change under Trump.

Despite eight years of recovery hype based on false metrics, the U.S. is in a systemic collapse — financial, economic, social and political — that is an inevitability regardless of who or which party occupies the Oval Office.

The United States along with the rest of the world have operated economies like a giant Ponzi scheme for several decades — a Ponzi scheme fueled by debt, fraud and overt corruption.

When a Ponzi scheme fails, nothing can stop its collapse. The U.S. had crossed that threshold long before Trump defeated Clinton.

Gary Pardy

Haleiwa

Electoral College needs to be ditched

In my 61 years on this Earth, the presidential election results have been scuttled twice due to the Electoral College.

Twice the will of the people has been undone by an antiquated system designed for the horse-and-buggy age.

It is time to close down this chapter of old politics. End the Electoral College. Join this new age and truly let the will of the people be heard. Graduate to a true democracy.

Gina Maria Lay

Kailua

Wild political swings part of U.S. history

We need to remind ourselves that the 1790s produced a political prototype clearly reflected in 2016.

The new nation was rocked by lack of civility, slander, opposing political parties and deep ideological divisions. Thomas Jefferson and James Madison used scurrilous journalists to attack not only Alexander Hamilton’s policies but him personally. Hamilton retaliated.

Even George Washington was vilified by a newly formed Republican Party. The role of a federal government and relations with other nations were the divisive issues.

Sound familiar? We have historically survived chaotic political swings, and will do so now.

Dan Berman

Waikiki

Power of prayer helped Trump win

It was reported that 82 percent of evangelical Christians voted for Donald Trump in the presidential election. In 2012, 32 million evangelicals stayed home and did not vote in that year’s presidential election.

Franklin Graham, during his 50-state Decision America Tour, encouraged Christians to pray for our country and to vote in this year’s presidential election. Our Godly Christian values of the sanctity of human life, God’s covenant of marriage between one man and one woman, and our religious freedom were on the line when selecting a presidential candidate. Hillary Clinton’s platform and the Democratic Party oppose our Christian values.

Evangelical Christians like myself was praying for a Donald Trump victory. The power of prayer was the ultimate reason Trump won the presidential election.

Melvin Partido Sr.

Pearl City

Hawaii is suffering under 1-party system

Hawaii still suffers from the absolute rule of a one-party monopoly that the Star-Advertiser endorses.

Fred Hemmings

Kaneohe

Military aircraft raise safety, noise issues

The report on January’s fatal Marine Corps helicopter crash of Oahu’s North Shore, which cited pilot error but also a 2015 study that described as “appalling” the readiness within the CH-53E Super Stallion fleet, is startling for several reasons (“Numerous problems preceded crash,” Star-Advertiser, Nov. 6).

First and foremost, it raises the question: Are our noble troops and military-support personnel stressed beyond a reasonable capacity by these long wars? That surely needs more investigation.

Also, are these giant aircraft the same ones that fly overhead at uncomfortably low altitudes every day along the South Shore? I live in Palolo Valley and my house literally shakes daily in the morning and late afternoon by what sounds like huge helicopters.

Can they not fly farther out to sea? That would at least help decrease the growing cacophony of urban noise pollution that is ruining Honolulu’s once relatively quiet lifestyle.

One rarely hears Hawaii’s songbirds. We must protect our troops but is there not a happy medium here someplace?

Scott Foster

Kaimuki