8/27 Letters: There is no ‘atonement’ for Republicans backing Trump

No ‘atonement’

Regarding “Here’s how Republicans can atone for backing Trump” (Aug. 15): Prompted by actions in Charlottesville, Rubin offers guidelines for how the GOP can atone for backing Trump.

There will be no atonement. Trump laid the groundwork for his presidential campaign by championing the birther movement. Upon announcing his run he immediately added enmity toward Mexicans and Muslims to his list. That completed his brown-skinned trifecta.

Rubin suggests those voting for him will come to see the error of their ways. Don’t hold your breath. Resist? Work for change? Yes. But don’t kid yourselves. This is who we are collectively as a nation. This is the truth of what the United States of America is at this moment in history. If you think there could be atonement, consider again the armed young white men in Charlottesville. The roots of American racism are deeper and wider – and younger – than many Americans seem to wish to acknowledge. But the GOP embraces the way things are. They get elected by Trump voters, whose values they share. No need for atonement.

‘Courts are watching’

Regarding “Public pans GOP maps proposed for redistricting” (Aug. 23): Although the maps proposed by the Republicans are superficially prettier than the existing maps, the partisan ugliness underneath is still obvious. Maps should not be drawn to protect incumbents – particularly since it’s been determined that many current incumbents come from unconstitutional districts. Maps should not use partisan registration or previous partisan election results to determine boundaries. Otherwise, the party in power packs opponents into a few districts and keeps the rest for themselves. This means that politicians choose their voters instead of allowing voters to choose their government.

Maps should be drawn by independent, nonpartisan staff using nonpartisan and legal criteria, including the Voting Rights Act. I think the use of partisan criteria, although sadly quite common, is unethical. I also think many legislators actually know this. They are just going to do this because they think they can get away with it. But the people are watching, and the courts are watching, and I hope blatant partisan gerrymandering will soon be declared unconstitutional.

Return ‘gifts’

Inasmuch as most of the monuments and statues in praise of the Confederacy were donated by private groups for placement on public property (e.g., Silent Sam), might the respective governmental bodies simply return the “gifts.” Let the donors dispose of their memorabilia as they choose.

This story was originally published August 26, 2017 at 6:00 PM with the headline "8/27 Letters: There is no ‘atonement’ for Republicans backing Trump."