Letters: Americans unite to uphold, defend country's character. 'We will prevail.'

"Are we getting to be utterly rotten? Is the slime of politics dissolving the cement of national character?" The question was posed by an editor of the Indianapolis News in 1904. Is the question relevant today?

The slime of politics begins and ends with the greed for power. The framers of our Constitution knew that power corrupts, and they devised a government and political system that spreads power over so many layers and in so many directions, that the concentration of power by any person or department of government is unlikely. The benefit of the dispersion of power is that tyranny by any person or political group is prevented. The down side is that people seeking power are never satisfied with the limits to political power granted them under our Constitution. They endlessly seek to broaden and deepen their own power base at the expense of their rivals.

This leads to a never ending turmoil within the political system which pits party against party, candidates against candidates, legislative assemblies at war with each other, state and federal politics in conflict, city politics against county, county politics against state, and all of it in the insatiable desire for power. 

At the heart of the American character is the belief in three core values: freedom, equality, and justice. Also included in the American character is the courage and the duty to defend these rights against all comers, including government when necessary. 

Is the slime of politics dissolving the cement of the American character? Not as I read it. We are as united as ever in support of the core values which bind us together. Not even the virulent tribalism into which politics has fallen can overcome our commitment to each other and to future generations to uphold and defend that which is essentially and exceptionally American. We will prevail.

Jim Curry

Franklin

Trump wants loyalty; fails to give it in return

Of all the foul deeds of this president, perhaps the worst is his betrayal of our long-time Kurdish allies. He leaves them to the tender mercies of Turkey's cruel tyrant, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Trump wants others' loyalty but sees no need to give it in return. What human feelings has he?  And who can trust us anymore? 

Trump's excuse: Kurds weren't with us at Normandy.  Of all Trump's puzzling sayings, this is the weirdest.  First, Kurds weren't and still aren't a nation, so how could they help us so far from their home?  Second, the only nations sending troops to Normandy besides us were the Brits and Canadians who then were more like one country. So by Trump's infinite wisdom, he can betray anyone else. Of course he'll also betray those two, if he sees it in his interest.

Now let Trump admirers, who may deem him a demigod, defend this. 

Donald P. Minassian

Indianapolis

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Criminal justice campus represents 'fiscal recklessness'

Spending well over a half billion dollars on the community justice campus now under construction in the Twin Aire neighborhood represents fiscal recklessness at its finest by Mayor Joe Hogsett, and the Democrat-controlled City-County Council. This aforementioned figure also does not include the $20 million appropriated to Hogsett for design and planning for the CJC, even though the previous mayoral administration received $16 million for the same project. This is a duplicitous expenditure of taxpayer dollars at work.

A much, much better, and responsible course of action would have been to purchase the former 90-acre Navistar plant site on Brookville Road in 2016 for the meager sum of $5 million. The 1.9 million square foot plant could have easily been converted into a suitable CJC for say another $50 million. The CJC is after all principally a jail, a facility that will cater to less than 1% of the Marion County populace. Indianapolis taxpayers should be disturbed at the hundreds of millions of dollars lost to this monstrosity of a boondoggle. This is money that should be directed to our roads, which cater to virtually all citizenry.

Todd Riggs

Indianapolis

Americans have a right to criticize elected officials

I sighed when I read David Getz's Oct. 10 Letter to the Editor. He begins as so many President Trump apologists do, by insisting anyone who disapproves of Trump is a hate-filled Democrat. Getz comically defends Trump's daily narcissistic utterances by calling him "brash," and then dives into sophomoric arguments featuring generalizations and finger pointing.

However, my jaw dropped at Getz's claim that there "has not been one speck of evidence..." that Trump broke the law. What does he call eye-witness accounts, emails, electronic recordings, a paper trail, and Trump's incriminating on-camera interviews and tweets? There is plenty of evidence in plain view for all Americans to see if they care to look.

What makes me the saddest is Getz telling Americans that if don't like the job Trump's doing, they can leave the country. The last time I checked, the First Amendment guarantees all Americans the right to criticize the government and its elected officials, and no one should be told to leave the country because they disapprove of the president.

Pamela Jackson

Noblesville

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Use DeGeneres' message of kindness to help nonprofits 

Ellen DeGeneres' message to be kind to everyone — no questions asked — has inspired countless people this week. Let’s build on that momentum and put our kindness into action. I urge DeGeneres and  all of her fans to donate to one of the many nonprofits working to rebuild the lives of millions of refugees displaced by George W. Bush’s wars. If we’re not going to hold her friend Bush accountable, the least we can do is help clean up his mess.

Brian McInerny

Plainfield

Referendum dollars will finance Lawrence Township Schools building renovations 

For the first time ever, we seek voter support for Lawrence Township Schools through a capital project referendum on Nov. 5. Through careful budgeting, our school corporation is financially healthy for day-to-day operating expenses, which pay the salaries of our outstanding teachers and staff. However, Indiana law requires voters to approve any substantial investments in building renovations. As parents, we know that Lawrence educational programs are among the best in Indiana. We need school buildings that match this excellence and provide safe and secure learning environments for our students. As community members, we also believe that an investment in our schools keeps our community vibrant, economically healthy and contributes to solid property values.

Most of the $191 million capital referendum will benefit our two high schools. The last renovation for Lawrence Central High School occurred in 1993. Never renovated, Lawrence North High School was built in 1976. Elementary buildings included for safety upgrades are Forest Glen, Oaklandon, Winding Ridge and four Early Learning Centers. Structural issues, safety and security improvements, and the need for 21st Century learning environments necessitate this investment.

We thank you for supporting our community by voting yes for Lawrence Schools on or before Nov. 5.

Pam Dechert and Jeff Yu

Yes4LawrenceSchools Political Action Committee (PAC) co-chairs

Hoosiers deserve answers from Indiana senators 

I have a few questions for Sen. Todd Young and Mike Braun in light of continuing developments from Washington D.C.

• As evidence continues to mount about the misdeeds of our chronically dishonest and demagogic president, whom and what are you working for?
• Are you working for all Hoosiers, whom you have the honor and responsibility of representing?
• Are you working for the U.S. Constitution, which you swore to uphold in your oath of office?
• Are you working to raise the reputation of Congress, which is justifiably at rock bottom for its hyper-partisanship and inability/unwillingness to solve basic domestic problems?
• Are you working for your consciences, those small voices at the back of your brains and hearts that are (or should be) telling you that something is terribly wrong?
• Conversely, are you working for your self-interest, particularly your fear of having to face a primary opponent and not being re-elected?
• Are you working for the president, who cares only about himself, and not a whit about you?
• Are you working with an eye toward 2020 or with an eye toward history? Put otherwise: are you working for the next election or for the security of our democracy?

Please think long and hard about this question in the weeks and months ahead:

Whom and what are you working for, senators?

David Szonyi

Bloomington

International trade helps small business growth

Our economy continues to grow, and to maintain the momentum, international markets and the potential they provide for America’s businesses must be included. Why? Because 95% of the world’s consumers live outside the U.S. and trade represents nearly 58% of the world’s $80 trillion economy. These markets abroad can be fundamental for a company’s growth strategy, and President Trump is intent on making it easier for businesses of all sizes to access them.

As part of his focus, the president is ensuring the U.S. negotiates better trade deals that promote American workers and industries. Last year’s free trade agreement with South Korea doubled the number of American autos that can be exported to South Korea that meet U.S safety standards, which is of key importance here in the Great Lakes region. The more recent agreement with Japan eliminates or significantly lowers tariffs for American beef, pork, poultry, wheat, cheese, wine, certain nuts and berries, cherries, ethanol and more — a significant win for our farmers, ranchers and growers. And, the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement has a dedicated small and medium enterprise chapter, which is a first for any U.S. trade agreement.

Small businesses generate more than half of the state’s $32 billion in total exports and a key component of the U.S. Small Business Administration’s strategy is to help them do more. Most recently, via the State Trade Expansion Program, we awarded $18 million across the nation to states and territories to assist small businesses with export-related activities, including foreign trade missions, foreign market sales trips, design of international marketing campaigns, export trade show exhibits, training workshops and more. Indiana received a $495,000 STEP grant to increase the footprint of the state’s small businesses in countries all over the world.

International trade must be a component of an American company’s growth strategy. And, for a small business owner, it’s even that much more important, as exporting can help a business grow faster, create jobs, and pay higher wages — all while contributing to a local economy’s success.

Rob Scott

U.S. Small Business Administration’s Great Lakes regional administrator, serving Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin

Columbus, Ohio

Trump betrayal of the Kurds will lead to slaughter

Former UN Ambassador Susan Rice, calls it genocide. The Kurdish people have been completely betrayed by the United States and are at the hands of slaughter by Turkey. It is something we will never live down.

The Kurds have fought and died (over 11,000) for us and our interests in Syria and with one phone call with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Trump has turned his back on them — turned our backs on them.

Now refugees are running from being bombed and many are heading to a fort controlled by Americans. Trump has given the order that they are not to be helped the Americans there. Where can they go? These are men, women, and children. How can we allow this?

Trump lives and thrives in his sadistic behavior — first those coming into our country from the south with mistreatment and separating children from parents, and now with the slaughter of the Kurds. It will not end till we are rid of this man.

Ann Powell

Indianapolis

Hearing loss organization helps educate Hoosiers

In the United States there are 48 million people with hearing loss. It is a national concern and is ranked the third largest health problem according to surgeon general and John Hopkins Medical University. One in five teens and 2.1 million veterans have hearing loss.

The Indianapolis community needs to be informed concerning the importance of hearing loss and how our 40-year national organization now has an affiliate in Indianapolis. Our chapter serves adults and teens with hearing loss. Many people do not even know we exist. We offer educational programs, socialization programs, advocacy and information.

Our organization also invites experts in their specialized fields to volunteer their time and talents to speak on topics that are relevant to hearing loss, including the psychological impact of hearing loss, communication strategies and safety strategies. We are a wonderful resource for people to tap into. Please visit our website: www.hlaa-indianapolis.org.

Teresa Gonzalez

Hearing Loss Association of America-Indianapolis Chapter president