President Donald Trump says he wants to increase the U.S. defense budget by $54 billion, almost 10 percent.
He said he will find the money from domestic budgets, like gutting the Environmental Protection Agency by 24 percent. He just began to do this by undoing the Clean Water Rule via executive order.
The U.S. spends more per year on its military than the next 10 countries combined, almost $600 billion (numerous reputable sources give similar figures— this is not “fake news”). Clearly, the U.S. has the biggest, most powerful and sophisticated military in the world. Why do we need more? Is it just Trump’s desire to feed the military-industrial complex, or is it an even more insidious desire to express his increasingly obvious authoritarian leanings?
I fear the worst.
Robert Cowie
Kailua
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Trump calls for unity but creates division
In his speech to Congress on Tuesday, President Donald Trump called for building “bridges of cooperation and trust — not drive the wedge of disunity and division” (“The time for small thinking is over,” Star-Advertiser, March 1).
This is interesting coming from a man who has done more to destroy trust between Americans of different ethnicities, religions and colors and fracture national unity than any public figure in the last century.
The Trump election campaign’s attacks on immigrants, Muslims, racial minorities and others have aided the rise of an aggressive, violent white nationalism that seeks to roll back the rights of our minorities of color and assert white domination.
And since Jan. 20, Trump has appointed anti-minority and anti- immigrant figures such as Steve Bannon and Jeff Sessions to key positions; attempted to ban Muslims from seven countries from entering the U.S.; intensified the roundup of undocumented immigrants; and revealed plans to sharply reduce federal social programs that minorities depend on in disproportionate numbers.
Noel Kent
Manoa
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Public should step up to solve problems
You get what you ask for.
If you say or do nothing about a problem, the problem goes uncorrected and gets even worse.
For example: We have a graffiti problem, and it’s getting worse (when someone paints graffiti on the back of highway signs 50 feet up in the air). Or potholes on our streets that go unrepaired for a long time because motorists do not report them. Or speeding and road rage by dangerous drivers we encounter every day.
What are we doing to correct the problems that bug us, and make things better for all?
We need our leaders, government agencies and politicians to lead the way. But that responsibility rests with us, too. The more we help, the more we do, the more we voice our concerns, the better quality of life we will all enjoy.
It could be as simple as picking up a bit of trash. Pick your causes and do something (your children will benefit from it).
Stephen Kabei
Salt Lake
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Help the homeless, if they want help
Homeless individuals who are physically unable to support themselves should receive the assistance they need. That is what compassionate communities do.
Homeless individuals who are mentally unable to support themselves should receive the assistance they need. That is what compassionate communities do.
Homeless individuals who are drug-dependent and unable to support themselves should receive the assistance they need to kick the habit. That is what compassionate communities do.
Homeless individuals who are not suffering from the above should be offered a job around the state cleaning graffiti and repairing badly needed maintenance and, in return, receive a safe place to stay in a homeless facility.
If they do not want to do the job or stay in the facility, throw them in jail for loitering or send them back to where they came from. That is what smart communities do.
Jails too crowded, you say? Tough!
John Wong
Aiea
