Letters to editor for Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2020

Letter writers
Mike Thompson, USA TODAY Network

Why Biden? Or why not Trump?

Trump’s core nature is that of a CEO, bold leader, proud individualist, self-confident to the point of not listening to advice, “look at me” arrogance. One also could call it self-absorbed. But if you Twitter in the middle of the night, have you thought it through and gotten the advice of experts?

There is a part of his psyche that fringes on royalty. Rich family. We can rule with power. Send in the armed guard to crush that vocal uprising.

Biden? He has been a faithful public servant, a good guy, but is way past his prime. More like that kind father who wore shorts but was always there for Christmas. He had family to help him and keep him from going out in public without long pants.

Biden would not be a great president. He is more likely to rely on staff and be a quiet, more thoughtful, and less impulsive president. Good friends with the neighborhood, the world. You know, keep it clean. Not building fences to keep the neighbors out. Not blaming them for all the troubles, such as COVID.

Trump did shake up things that needed changing. But do we need an alligator left in the swamp looking for the next meal.

Scott Downing, Fort Myers area

Last chance to vote.

Trump supporter tells why

If you have voted for Biden or plan to, can you tell me why you're for him without using the word Trump?

Trump has:

Brokered two Middle East peace accords and not engaged us in a foreign war.

Stopped North Korea from developing further nuclear capability, sending missiles toward Japan and threatening the U.S. West Coast.

Turned around our relationship to the Chinese and brought businesses back to the U.S.

Lowered unemployment in the Black and Latino populations.

Lowered your taxes and caused the stock market to move to record levels, positively affecting the retirements of tens of millions of citizens.

Appointed three Supreme Court justices and (dozens of) federal judges.

George Fischer, Fort Myers area

Mannerisms, demeanor and policies

At the debate, Vice President Mike Pence was calm, organized in his thoughts and respectable; whereas Kamala Harris’ mannerisms looked inexperienced and immature.

Biden’s demeanor is calm and non-confrontational; whereas President Trump is confrontational, and his tweets can be harsh. Trump’s energy level is outstanding.

Trump’s policies — conservative, pro-life, gun rights, freedom of religion and speech, support police, protect our borders, impose deregulations, add tariffs to imports to be fairer to the USA — are aligned with mine.

I cannot support liberalist and socialist views.

Jeannie Schneider, North Naples

'Get rid of what ails us'

Donald Trump is a condition we have to recognize and remedy. This charlatan has become lethal for the health of the nation, both figuratively and literally.

We have to excise the poison that Trump spreads, eliminate the lying, the self-serving narcissism, misogyny, mean-spiritedness, and race-baiting that have infected our body politic.

We can’t allow his ineffectiveness on the pandemic to fester. It’s costing tens of thousands of lives.  He defies doctors’ orders, and people die.

The defense of Trump entails a regrettable effort by his minions to lower the ethical bar, to demand less of him, to excuse his contemptible words and actions. The condensed version of their uninspiring defense goes something like this: Everybody lies, all men are pigs, we all cheat on our taxes, and our president didn’t really mean what he actually said.  It sounds like we need an injection of raised aspirations.

The health of the nation can improve only if we start to demand truth, decency and transparency from our president. Our political DNA has to be more about governing and less about electioneering. Our leaders should think more about those they serve and less about themselves. 

The prescription is clear: Get rid of what ails us. 

Kevin McNally, Bonita Springs

Worries on both sides for nation

You worry about socialism. I worry about an autocratic president leading to fascism. You worry about antifa. I worry about white supremacists and Proud Boys.

You worry about loss of religious freedom. I worry about your religion taking away my rights.

You worry about preserving your wealth. I worry about those who have no wealth.

You decry political correctness. I decry the loss of civility.

Are these divisions going to lead to the loss of our democracy? I only know it hurts.

Judy Lindstrom, North Naples