to the editor: Not enough has been said about the countless unpopular and stressful changes Americans have faced this year and the tremendous impact they have had on our livelihoods and our freedom. Particularly prominent among the changes have been looming cuts to health care and attacks on free speech. Nothing is more sacred than the latter.
We can be hopeful that the outcome of the current government shutdown will bring improvements to the health care changes made by the “Big Beautiful Bill.” During the negotiations, very few people realized what was happening. Even Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.), who voted in favor of the bill, accepted that he had not read it in its entirety and expressed his regret.
The government's most recent actions have crystallized into basic attacks on our freedom of expression and assembly. We have seen many brave Americans step forward to meet this challenge, from government officials to everyday citizens. But most notable among them right now are two governors, Governor Gavin Newsom and Governor JB Pritzker of Illinois. Currently, President Trump is trying to send federal troops to Illinois, describing what he is trying to stop as “bombed cities” and “bombed people” (“Trump says Chicago mayor, Illinois governor should be jailed amid militarized campaign”. October 8).
Pritzker's response is that Trump's description of Chicago is “unhinged.” Both Pritzker and Newsom have stepped forward and are defiantly suing the Trump administration for deploying National Guard troops without their consent. Each of these victories over individual and state rights brings hope to most Americans.
Lynn Lorenz, Newport Beach
