Letters to the Editor

Sound off!

My high school civics class taught me that the legislators control the purse strings and write the laws, the executor executes the laws, and the judiciary interprets the laws. It is illegal for the executive branch through executive orders and DOGE to fire people whom the legislators have hired. Over 300 suits have been filed, and the judiciary is standing tall by ruling against Trump and DOGE in the majority of these cases. Our legislators have allowed Trump to do their dirty work. We need to replace Rulli, Husted and Moreno because they are complicit.

-- Campbell

How could you cut a program that helps the sick and disabled and elderly? Wow!! How about no more government health care for senators and congressmen? How much would we save then? Our God says not to hurt the sick, the widow, the orphan and the oppressed. He says then will I arise. So what will God do to us for hurting these sick and weak and old people? We are going to have more than hell to pay.

-- Youngstown

Stossel lists Florida as a school choice success story. While I question his stats ("After they expanded school choice they ranked No. 1 in math and reading scores") I do admit school choice had advantages. But Florida school districts are all countywide. In Fort Myers, for instance, the Lee County School District has well over 100 schools serving

100,000 students. Few Ohio school districts come close to those numbers. Expanding choice in Ohio would increase cost in transportation and have limited benefit. Teacher unions oppose choice mainly due to increased cost.

-- Youngstown

Donald Trump promises to "drain the swamp." Instead he uses the presidency to make millions hawking his memecoins. Then he travels to Arab nations where he praises authoritarian leaders and makes deals with them that benefit their interest. These are the same countries that just happen to be doing big business deals with the Trump family. Next he accepts a

$400 milion plane from Qatar that will cost taxpayers a billion dollars to retrofit. Guess he's decided to create his own swamp!

-- Canfield

Trump accepted a plane from our enemy. He bent down and kissed them on their royal rear ends. We have never stooped so low. Taxpayers should not have to pay to upgrade HIS plane. He has spent $18 million at the Super Bowl, $23 million to golf, and many other costly things in his first months, but tells us to tighten our belts. He is the waste, fraud and abuse he claims there's so much of. Sit still and do your job and get trillions to pay down debt, instead of giving all your friends tax breaks.

-- Youngstown

I read the Sound Off and Letters to the Editor each weekend in The Vindicator. I would like to know why some writers (apparently Democrats) have to write insults and call people names. If you don't agree with things just state your side of the issue. These people must be the most angry and unhappy people in the Valley. It must be terrible to live your life with so much hatred in your heart.

-- Hubbard

Isn't it ironic that the West Point graduating class is addressed by a draft dodger (bone spurs?? C'mon).

-- Youngstown

WASTE, FRAUD, ABUSE. Fly AF1 to Mar-a-Lago to golf (almost every weekend and after Memorial Day wreath laying). Spends billions to retrofit a "gift" from a foreign government. Diverts monies from scientific research and the arts to fund his "Garden of Heroes." Held a private dinner that enriched his wealth. Leaves before the traditional hand shaking of the USMA graduates. Wants a parade for the military's 250th anniversary and his birthday. Vilifies Harvard. CHAOS, CRUELTY, CORRUPTION.

-- Boardman

In his short time in office, Trump has defied more judges' rulings, broken more laws, ignored norms of office regarding the emoluments clause, profited in the millions worldwide business-wise, accepted bribes..yes, the new jet…sold more junk objects, lost more allies and caused more anger around the world. And, all without looking out for the best for this country, and most for personal gain.

-- Liberty

Don Trump -- not to be confused with Don Corleone -- is the best President MONEY can buy! Now the man who wants to be king wants a free luxury jumbo jet off some Arab dictator. I hope this $400 million bribe will never fly!

-- Austintown

No tax on tips is insane. It's earned income and should be taxed just like wages. Tip income counts as credit for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), and it should be treated like all income. This loophole will be exploited just like all mistakes that congress commits.

-- Hubbard

The mean and nasty actions of Trump to simply ridicule and embarrass the South African president should tell other nations not to visit the White House. It seems Trump has upped his cruelty since Zelenskyy's visit. He is reprehensible and I just find it hard to believe that the GOP are accepting of this behavior from their leader, that they can actually sit in the same room and not say anything. Trump is an embarrassment to our nation.

-- Liberty

Sounds like the Westside Bowl tribute concert will be better than the real thing! In the article Andy Gray states "Dylan has never been one to play just his hits." In fact last month in Youngstown he played no hits. His Blues-Jazz fusion band played the same four chords while Dylan mumbled different lyrics. He never spoke to the audience or even introduced the band members. I can say I saw Dylan but would not spend money to see him again.

-- Youngstown

Letters to the Editor

Sound off!

State Rep. Tex Fischer has way too much time on his hands if the start time for college football games is one of his biggest concerns. With all that is going on in the state. this is all he has to do? His pay should be docked. Who voted for this person?

-- Hubbard

Instead of telling retailers and their customers to "just eat the difference" of higher prices resulting from his inept, ill-advised, incoherent imposition of tariffs, 47 should eat crow, admit he has raised taxes on people who can't afford food to eat, a place to live, or means of travel in order to provide tax breaks for pals with more money than they or their offspring will need to live well for generations to come. Dump Trump.

-- Canfield

At what point does an electric bike become a motorcycle? We live on a residential street; often quiet but just as often busy. Kids who appear to be elementary school age ride electric bikes and scooters, in the street and on the sidewalk. They even ride at dusk with no lights. No training. No license. By themselves. I don't want to rain on their parade, but sooner or later someone is going to get hurt.

-- Girard

When you're young, you look forward to T.G.I.F. (Thank God It's Friday); when you're old and still relatively healthy, a person would be wise not to T.I.F.G. (Take It For Granted).

-- Hubbard

Shame on Mahoning County Prosecutor Lynn Maro, who retried Damian Cessna -- previously exonerated -- and has not / will not re-try Steve Kent on rape charges.

-- Poland

Trump thinks his second-hand "free plane" is heavenly. He does not know that it will only land at Newark Liberty Field.

-- Canfield

Good Lord above, Trump is so crazy for glitz and gold. Why can't someone stand up to this shallow megalomaniac with his need for attention and gifts, praise and attention? It is ridiculous that one man controls so many cowards when this kind of 'gift' is simply a 'major bribe' from a country with a questionable reputation. He salivates at their wealth and money. World leaders know he is a sucker for praise and attention, and are laughing at him.

-- Liberty

The orange ringmaster cracks his whip and his clown Cabinet lies under oath. They know nothing about their organizations. Ditto for the cowering Congress, where MAGA Mike says a lawyer is needed for him to answer a question about "whatever it is the president is doing" while crowing about his congressional expertise. In what universe do they do anything other than waste, fraud and abuse of their offices? They're killing citizens over healthcare so Trump won't be distracted while choosing upholstery for his winged palace bribe.

-- Canfield

High flying grifter-in-chief, 47, has two new jumbo jets in process at our expense, but wants taxpayers to pay $1 billion to totally overhaul (for security/defense systems) a $600m luxury "gift" model from the Omanis which will become his property on leaving office. This shameless grifter is the heart of waste, fraud and abuse of office in our government. No way he gets that jet on the tax bill of citizens.

-- Canfield

In a recent Trump big-budget bill article, Missouri Republican Sen. Josh Hawley implored his party not to impair Medicaid, arguing that cutting health care to pay for tax breaks is both "morally wrong and politically suicidal." Maybe it's politically suicidal where Hawley comes from, but, for the good of the average taxpayer, let's not succumb to the "I-cut-my-toenail-and-need-an-ambulance-to take-me-to-the-ER" Medicaid recipient. Besides, why not reduce expenses by cutting Medicaid, yet keep taxes in place so the budget's revenue source is maintained. Such a plan might cut into the deficit better than robbing Peter to pay Paul.".

-- Hubbard

Today I saw a shirt that said "Ban Idiots Not Guns." Thank you, First Amendment.

-- Beaver Township

Great to see the local media darling, Tim Ryan, exploring a run for governor of Ohio. What the media doesn't report is that Mr. Tim was employed as an executive with now bankrupt Zoetic!! Same Zoetic that is trying to stiff local businessmen for funds owed! Guess Mr. Ryan might need a job / position. You go Tim!

-- Sebring

Letters to the Editor

Sound off!

Trump accepting "gift jet" from Qatar, and no one thinks this is wrong? I must be in bizarro world!

-- Boardman

To all you Rip Van Winkles (Democrats) you must have been asleep during the last four years when Joe Biden was President, you don't seem to be aware of all the damage that he caused (gas and egg prices skyrocketed along with crime and so much more), Also under his watch, 13 of our soldiers were killed during the botched Afghanistan War withdrawal, so wake up and stop the Trump hate for he is exposing all the waste in big government.

-- Canfield

The nicest thing about 47's Cabinet appointees is that they remove some of the largest mouths and smallest minds from network broadcasts. Many red hats may now need to read to learn their latest hateful, stultifying blather as rhetoric.

-- Canfield

The news revealing the egregious and criminal behavior committed by an out of control John White points to a person who is a serial domestic abuser. How many years of terrifying behavior has this woman been dealing with? Amber White deserves to be offered supportive services before she is harmed or injured. Thank you, Vindicator, for the articles highlighting his disgusting actions as well as citing him in the weekend Onion piece.

-- Youngstown

Trump and Republicans are cutting benefits to Medicaid to pay for huge tax cuts to the wealthiest 10%. They are cutting $5.5 billion at the National Institute of health while measles and whooping cough are spreading. NIH helped to develop the COVID vaccine. NIH helps increase research in RED states where funds are low. Efforts to reduce cancer and Alzheimer's will suffer. The GOP is also cutting research at universities that refuse to allow the government to dictate what they teach. Vote the GOP out.

-- Campbell

Property tax amendment petition: I don't know if I should cry or laugh that AGAIN citizens are teaching our do-nothing Columbus reps what Ohioans WANT. They dawdled on the pot laws for decades (now they want to FIX a law not broken) as they are on property tax reform now. Can Columbus actually do something to fix taxes or must we do it ourselves again?

-- Girard

It has been said that our country has been in a "dumbing down" mode for many years now. Our new administration is a good example. Everything done so far is for spite, poorly executed and not for the good of the general public, using little intelligence whatsoever in tossing jobs necessary to the welfare of our citizens and country, though surely enriching Trump, many millionaires, his family and his buddies ... though one is only a friend till you cross him.

-- Liberty

Letters to the Editor

Sound off!

47 has plans to alter the days we honor our veterans, I believe to honor himself. He who never served, who wouldn't risk mussing his hair to visit graves of heroes in Europe, who was displeased on seeing wounded vets on stage with him, who called vets 'suckers' for sacrificing themselves, will now parade like the Dear Leader he wants to be even as he steals vets' benefits. I hope he gets all the single-digit-salutes he deserves.

-- Canfield

Psycho Liar Felon Trump and Just Dumb Vance don't know what they are talking about, Biden left the idiots with a great economy, good employment and inflation was coming down. All the Cabinet people are inhumane and liars for Trump. Trumpers are stupid for thinking he is doing good when he is tearing our country apart. Democrats are working to get back to normal but there are too many Trumpers and good Republicans that need to GET A PAIR!!

-- Austintown

A writer to Sound Off in this week's Vindicator wrote " the president is deporting individuals he doesn't think will vote for him". Does this writer not know that people in this country illegally CAN NOT vote for the president! Only U.S. citizens can vote for the president. People should research things before they write letters. This is the problem with the radical left and right. They say these foolish things and think they're right. If you don't know the truth about something, don't speak!

-- Hubbard

We just passed Trump's first chaotic 100 days and what did we get. We now have an economy worse than when he took office, unrealistic tariffs leading to a recession, a trade war with the rest of the world, no resolution to the Ukraine war, a ruthless immigration policy, medical research grants being canceled and haphazard and careless firings of government workers. This is not what the voting public thought they were getting. Vote to Get America Back.

-- Poland

As someone who realizes the need for local government and more often than not supports and votes for most levies, I am disappointed in Mahoning County's elected officials. After reading of hiring practices and wage shenanigans in the Clerk of Courts office I will be very hesitant voting to give them any more of my tax dollars!

-- Struthers

Bill. Jeff. Sandy. Allison. I often think of these four students killed on May 4, 1970, on the campus of nearby Kent State. They were gunned down by members of the Ohio National Guard. For those old enough to remember that day in history, just take a moment to reflect on how they might have changed the world into a better place instead of

being buried in the ground. Four dead in Ohio. RIP.

-- Austintown

So the Trumpster (Dumpster) now says he was only exaggerating when he said he could stop the Ukraine war in 24 hours. Isn't exaggerating another word for lying? He also said his physical gave perfect results. Does that mean that the "bone spurs" that kept him out of the army have miraculously healed themselves? Why, if he is so busy solving America's problems does he find time to mediate the PGA/LIV situation? Also where does he find the time to the NFL teams to draft Sanders? How does he find the time to golf? Just asking.

-- Youngstown

Trump is attacking DEI, Social Security, the judiciary, women's rights, the department of education etc… to hide his real goal. While this grabs our attention, he and his family are making money off of the stock mark. Buy low sell high is what they are doing. He increases and decreases tariffs and tells those close to him in advance. He's also selling Bitcoin and manipulating it too. Don't believe me? Ask Don Jr. and Marjorie Taylor Green.

-- Campbell

Why do people with handicap placards drive with the placard hanging from the rear-view mirror? It obstructs your vision. It says at the top of the placard "REMOVE BEFORE DRIVING." Take it down, people.

-- Hubbard

Donald Trump thinks he is God. Unfortunately, many of his supporters agree. These supporters must be blind to his behavior, but they will eventually realize he is really the anti-Christ.

-- Liberty

Star Parker's editorial defending Trump's DOGE rampage firing and cancelling government programs almost blindly across the board, is illogical at its core. The government cannot be treated like a for-profit company because governments are not-for-profit organizations. Absolutely, governments must be fiscally responsible with maximum transparency for a hardcore annual review of checks and balances. But if Trump wanted accountability why did he fire every independent Inspector General and replace each with lackeys who pledge loyalty to Trump? Hmmm.

-- Warren

Trump questions whether he has to uphold the Constitution. YES, HE MUST, and took an OATH to do so in front of millions of people. Does 'due process' apply to all no matter if legal or illegal? YES, due process is a right in this country. Is Trump forgetting our right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness? Absolutely. There can be no denying Trump wants to get rid of the rule of law as he attacks attorneys, judges, even SCOTUS. Trump a pope? Laughable, he doesn't have a religious bone in his body.

-- Liberty

Our pied piper president doesn't need music to induce his followers, he just lies. In his first term he told over 30,000 lies and he continues to tell lie after lie. No one will question him because it is either his way or the highway. He is slashing jobs and, the much needed programs while he continues to play golf. As of March 30,Trump's golfing has cost us approximately $23 million.

So wrong , sad and baffling how an arrogant and demeaning person is now the president of America.

-- Bazetta

Illegals in this country. Let's see when Joe Biden opened our borders, the illegals before they came in discarded they identity cards on them in Mexico. You could see them doing this on TV. Then they walked in. No one vetted them, Border patrol was ordered not to do this and told these illegals to show up for a court appearance before a Judge in 90 days. They never did ,they never had due process coming in so they should not have due process going back, just deported, or are the Democrats waiting until one of their own are murdered by an illegal. Now that would be a different story!

-- Niles

Letters to the Editor

Sound off!

The president of our country is deporting individuals he doesn't think will vote for him, lining the Supreme Court with individuals who willingly sold their souls to the devil, talking about a third term, and now he's hand-picking state governors, including here in Ohio. All designed to give him total control. Think about what our country will look like under these conditions. The thought should keep all of us up at night.

-- Youngstown

Who actually organizes these little protests like the one "blasting" Mahoning County for housing ICE detainees? People come from outside the area knowing we want their input. The sign stating America was built by immigrants is a nice touch. It was built by LEGAL immigrants that came to contribute and blend in. I don't know why an illegal immigrant has any of our rights. I'd bet you can't sneak into China and get a free phone, housing, education, food stamps, or support from citizens claiming indignation.

-- Columbiana

Let's face it. This entire administration is a joke, from our thin-skinned lying president to his lackeys. While I know that SCOTUS has granted a certain amount of immunity in actions by Trump, anything he does should ONLY pertain to his position as president. All of these personal attacks against Lord knows how many 'perceived slights or people' should not be allowed. When is SCOTUS going to finally do something? Anything at all.

-- Liberty

Trump said of Putin's Easter assault on Ukraine that it makes him think that the Russian despot isn't ready to discuss peace. The rest of the world said DUH! The deal artist then betrayed Ukraine's only demands that Russia return Crimea, which was stolen in 2014 and declares NATO membership is not possible, thus doubling down on his DUH!

-- Canfield

Negotiator VP Vance tells all that Ukraine must surrender territory while DOD secret keeper Hegseth tells the Houthis our bombers are enroute. It would be great to play poker with these brain trusts. Their tells actually would be telling what hand they have. MAGA, MAGA makes a mess, eh?

-- Canfield

Remember the title Deporter in Chief, President Obama? 2.5m. Never heard a word from the Democratic Party. Now, because President Trump is trying to emulate Obama, they are up in arms. So much so that Democrat Sen. Chris Van Hollen from Maryland, on our dime, flew a chartered jet to El Salvador demanding a return of an illegal criminal to the USA. Now paid protesters are up in arms in Mahoning County. By the way, if you want to become a paid protester, you can go on Zip Recruiter to apply for a job. Last I looked, the going rate was $17 to $22. When I see Democrats, all I see is hatred for everything except themselves.

-- Canfield

How come when UPS lays off 20,000 employees and shuts down 79 locations, all is quiet from the demonstrators, but when USPS wants to lay off for the same reasons, thousands protest the world is coming to an end, disaster awaits, etc. Why is it government employees are the sacred cows that can't be touched?

-- Girard

With the first 100 days of this presidency approaching, NO ONE has done more to hurt America than the Trump supporter. They should have researched "PROJECT 2025" before electing this "Snake Oil Salesman."

-- Hubbard

Can anyone explain why a hospital needs to get an OK from the government to build a facility that has been needed for years in this area. They were needed even before the closing and disruption at Sharon and Trumbull hospitals. Does Walmart need to ask when a need is found?

-- Girard

Although Mercy Health's plan to build a state-of-the-art emergency facility in Champion is wonderful, the bottom line still exists: Trumbull County needs a hospital! St. Joe's staff is overwhelmed; its emergency room is bursting at the proverbial seams; physicians are looking elsewhere; medical school graduates won't even give this area a second look. Somehow, the powers-that-be must come up with a solution before people die in this medical desert. We need help!

-- Warren

Thank goodness our leader finally realized his policies were flawed and he reversed direction on almost everything. It was frightening to watch our great country lose its shining-city-on-a-hill reputation for three months, but it looks like the errors have been recognized and we are heading back toward greatness. Let's hope it sticks so our business leaders can plan, allies can trust us again and our reputation as the greatest country in history can be restored.

-- Cortland

Now that the Democrats' sales pitches miserably failed in the election: Open borders, pretending to fight for DEI, fringe LGBTQXYZ minorities, trannies, etc., they have lost their base. They now care more about illegal aliens, MS-13, wife beaters and human smugglers over state lines more than they care about AMERICANS! They care more about socialism than democracy! They care about NOTHING but staying in power, rather than doing what should be done for America. The party IS dead. Good riddance!

-- Warren