To the editor: One letter writer “laughs” at the idea of former President Trump as a dictator. He uses Governor Gavin Newsom, who “kept 40 million Californians from voting” during a deadly pandemic, as a true example of dictatorial abuse of power.
A governor or president can take any number of actions that are considered an abuse of power. There are constitutional remedies available to address these overreaches.
Elections also provide a very efficient vehicle for the voice of the people to be heard. In 2021, the recall election against Newsom failed. In 2022 he was re-elected by the people of California.
After the 2020 presidential election, Trump took his appeals to our court system, where he failed. That’s when he launched an attack on our constitutional system of government. He inspired a mob to violently disrupt the peaceful transfer of power, which had taken place since the founding of our nation.
A government official who challenges our constitutional system and incites violence (and who, as Trump has suggested, would like to suspend parts of the Constitution), can fairly be considered a dictator. This is nothing to laugh at.
Richard Dunn, Glen Valley
..
To the editor: I had to laugh at the author of the letter criticizing Newsom for having “locked up 40 million Californians without voting.” He perhaps wasn’t aware that about half of the world’s population was under some form of lockdown at the time.
Newsom’s stay-at-home order in March 2020 was intended to protect the health and well-being of all Californians and slow the spread of COVID-19. It was a temporary order.
If the former president is re-elected, this country’s democracy will be forever threatened. Whoever writes the letter should reflect on the right to abortion that is taken away from women, the banning of books in schools and libraries, and the attack on the right to vote, all without a vote.
All Americans should worry that Trump is a dictator. There is nothing to laugh about knowing that there are people who will support and empower you.
Sherry Beer, Sherman Oaks
..
To the editor: In all the letters about January 6 and Trump’s dictatorial behavior, none mentioned his most explosive and ridiculous statement about the insurrection: that the riot was a “love fest.”
Everyone in America saw this as it was happening. People were hurt, some dead, chants of “Hang Mike Pence” could be heard, and members of Congress were running for their lives.
However, most Republicans believe the lies told by Trump. There is no possible way to reach people who do not believe in what awaits them.
Edward A. Sussman, Fountain Valley
