To the editor:
For all who read The Berkshire Edge, there is much to be on edge about this week. No matter where you stand, the question is, what will really happen? We have a cabinet of billionaire sycophants, rich with money and poor with experience. We have a culture of fear that Trump has created around his oligarchical approach to governing. Are we happy or sad that TikTok is back? What was that move supposed to prove? Trump wants to be loved by the younger generation? The younger generation will get their “Trump education” about a year from now as prices at the market, prices for electronics, and all living expenses go through the roof. Next, are we separating more families and their children at the border? Who even knows? We have a president who referred to the California governor as “Governor New-scum.” Seriously, is this the type of person who is now our leader?
Having spent the last many days working tirelessly as a therapist with those who suffered from the Los Angeles fires and watching diligently to make sure my home there was safe, I worry about the funds that will now be extended to the devastated areas. Trump vowed “to make CA pay” for not voting for him. Will he/can he take away funds promised by President Biden? Trump seems to feel like he can bend every rule surrounded by a Congress that is afraid of him and afraid to vote against him. I pay homage to those celebrities who stuck their hands in their own pockets to help out in Los Angeles—Leonardo DiCaprio, Gwyneth Paltrow, Janie Lee Curtis, Megan Markle and Prince Harry, Beyonce, Eve Longoria, Paris Hilton—and hope that many more do the same… just in case. I hope Trump does not shoot out their kneecaps. But we are talking about billions of dollars of loss. Trump couldn’t care less. The devastation is unbelievable. I am not making light of any other catastrophic hurricane or tornado damage or other home loss. But this is off-the-charts frightening to see. Added to that, the winds are revving up again.
I remember when I was executive producer of “Good Morning America” and Ronald Reagan was being sworn in on a frozen Washington morning while, behind the scenes, Jimmy Carter was completing negotiations to secure our prisoners of war from Tehran—release happened just after Reagan took the oath of office, still standing at the podium, but he was not the hero in this. Trump may be the TikTok hero, but what is his next conquest? Greenland? The Panama Canal? Canada? I shudder to learn. My bags are packed.
I am sympathetic to all those who are nervous and have elevated anxiety and debilitating depression while facing the next four years. I hear you every day. I remind all that there are midterm elections, and it is important to get a grassroots head start on finding those who have the intelligence to be part of a government that can secure Democracy and decency in our country. We need to be powerful and not lemmings. We cannot be led to political slaughter. Do not allow horrible history to repeat itself.
Susan Winston
Hillsdale, N.Y.
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