Letter: Trump’s actions are the stuff that banana republics are made of
Anti-coup protesters hold placards reading "Get out dictators" outside the U.N. Information Office in Yangon, Myanmar, Sunday, Feb. 14, 2021. Vast numbers of people all over Myanmar have flouted orders against demonstrations to march again in protest against the military takeover that ousted the elected government of Suu Kyi. (AP Photo)
“Unprecedented.” That is the word most news organizations used to describe Trump’s daily missives to change our culture, government and economic structure.
His actions are not unprecedented. They have long been actions taken by “banana republics” and authoritarian governments.
The politicizing of labor and inflation statistics; the decimation of regulation of air and water quality regulations; engaging in government-controlled capitalism through pay to play and benefitting from cryptocurrency; the closing down and restriction of climate science, medical research, education and health care; the exertion of control over the judicial system; and now the military takeover over one of our cities.
On what level do the American people believe all of this is OK? We have seen all these actions before … in countries where freedom is restricted and where eventually the economies fail.
Unprecedented? No.
Faulty, ineffectual, dangerous, shoddy, antidemocratic, autocratic are some other adjectives I would prefer to see used.
Janelle Heck, Millcreek
Submit a letter to the editor
For over 150 years, The Salt Lake Tribune has been Utah’s independent news source. Our reporters work tirelessly to uncover the stories that matter most to Utahns, from unraveling the complexities of court rulings to allowing tax payers to see where and how their hard earned dollars are being spent. This critical work wouldn’t be possible without people like you—individuals who understand the importance of local, independent journalism. As a nonprofit newsroom, every subscription and every donation fuels our mission, supporting the in-depth reporting that shines a light on the is sues shaping Utah today.
You can help power this work.
Donate to the newsroom now. The Salt Lake Tribune, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) public charity and contributions are tax deductible