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Dad had it right all those years ago
DEAR EDITOR:
When I watch the news or read the newspaper, I'm reminded of things my dad said when I was too young to understand.
Dad's rules include: 1) Figuring where you stand politically is not easy and takes a long time. You have to pay attention and keep score; 2) there are only two types of people in this world -- idiots and not idiots. Both of them come in different sizes, shapes, colors, races, pay scales, religions, genders, etc. It does not matter if there is an R or D (reverend or doctor?) behind your name; and 3) the solution to most problems is right in front of you if you want to see it.
Dad's rules 1 and 2 have been proven; I'm not sure about 3 yet. But I see more examples. Such as those ("whackjob/yahoos") protesting ICE in the streets. If you have an illegal alien with a removal order in your jail, don't release them to the streets. (Duh). If a city/state won't follow federal law, cut off federal money. (Just some random thoughts).
How long can anyone be in elected office -- longer than my grandson has been alive? (He will be 25). We need to look at term limits 2.0. You can serve as many terms as elected but only two in a row. It should apply to towns and trustees and school boards.
Speaking of school boards and the Department of Education, why do they not all have some teaching in their backgrounds? Teachers' hands are tied by unions, which have outlived their usefulness if they are more interested in being a political voting bloc than working for the members.
Everybody should stop giving Joe Biden flack about what happened during his term. Even Stevie Wonder would be able to see he was out to lunch before he was VP and that he was already without a clue.
I, for one, am glad America has big, brass balls again. When they kick us in the shins, they hurt their feet. (There is more to say here, but it took three drafts to get here, and I didn't want to make it long and boring.)
In closing, I've noticed jokes in the news that wrote themselves. Biden and Harris both said "don't." Trump said I atolla you not to. I don't know if this is more sad or funny. Bernie Sanders makes Doc Brown seem normal. Picture Bernie in front of a DeLorean pointing his finger and shouting, "Great Scott, Marty! We have to get you back to the future!"
TIM VAN DYKE
Struthers
Kindred spirit found among anti-Trump letters
DEAR EDITOR:
I applaud the man from Canfield whose 7/25 letter voices my shared opinion that people who dislike Trump, but love his policies, have a limited understanding of 47 that misses his incompetence and corruption and the damage they have done to all citizens. Chaos, fear and self service are the starting point for all Trump "policies." The writer is certainly correct on the broad issues of economy, energy independence and judicial appointments. I always thought "drill baby drill" was just a bumper sticker. It is.
The letter uses admirable discretion whereas I lean toward more rhetorical policy names to describe Trump's reign. Like "face plant and shoot" for drivers darker than Trump's spray tan when met by ICE. Or the "who cares it's your only meal" repeal of SNAP benefits for kids too hungry to learn at school. Maybe "you're a great patriot" for bitcoin investors who lost their shirts while Trump profited from his worthless NFTs. That will make investors feel better than his total abandonment of affordable healthcare.
Big Brother's motto of "war is peace, freedom is slavery, ignorance is strength" in the novel "1984" are akin to Trump rants. Especially so, now that his war of choice with Iran smacks of the forever wars of Oceania, the fictional country of "1984", that helped keep the populace enslaved, hungry, afraid and distracted by hate of "the other" and not Big Brother. Maybe 47 will add his slogans to the public banners of his scowling face now on every public building in DC. Wow, just like Big Brother.
We must vote Trump and his congressional enablers out, while we are free to do so.
JIM CARTWRIGHT
Canfield
Why were Democrats so quick to turn on Platner?
DEAR EDITOR:
Fellow Democrats, please do not fall into the trap that affected us last time, getting rid of a candidate that could help us save the Senate.
Here are some facts to consider: Graham Platner, the Democratic primary winner, a Marine combat veteran, galvanized the Maine Democrats with calls for universal healthcare and a message that the deck is stacked against working people.
Then began the campaign to defeat him; his years-old tattoo, already covered up, then social media (uncovered) rants about universal American "racist and stupid (expletive) police," and that he sexted women after marrying his wife in 2023. All of this was while struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder after four tours in Iran and Afghanistan, during which Platner has acknowledged acting badly.
Then two former girlfriends, involved in a consensual relationship, "one a GOP activist, who dated Platner from 2013 to 2015," said they found his behavior disturbing. Does any of this sound familiar? It should. We have been seeing and reading about the same behavior except the "military record" ever since Trump became president.
The only difference now is that it is the Democrats instead of the Republicans.
DONNA NASSER
Sharon, Pa.
Why are we allowing America to be invaded?
DEAR EDITOR:
Our country has been invaded. Not an armed invasion, like World War II, but an invasion, nevertheless. Somebody left the door not just unlocked, but wide open; off the hinges even.
Disagree? Here are some facts. Between 15 million and 30 million people have entered the United States illegally since 2000; not taking the procedural route that has well-served every country in the world. There are 184 countries in the world that have populations less than 30 million, including Australia and Taiwan. Countries with less than 15 million people include Belgium, Sweden, Greece, and Austria. Would those countries look upon 15 to 30 million people crossing their borders an invasion?
D-Day in WWII Europe involved over 160,000 Allied soldiers. By the end of the war in 1944 the Allies had 1.5 million front-line combat troops entering Germany. We have AT LEAST that many wandering around our country.
Why do "Democratic Socialists," progressives, and just plain liberals insist this is OK with them? They have been taught ever since WWII that socialism is good, and you should hate America and its history. Or, they just want to "fundamentally change" America, following Obama's stated goal. The United Socialist States of America (USSA). Say it. Communism.
When President Trump said he was going to hammer Iran for "unconditional surrender," I said, "YES! We haven't had that since 1944!" Iran was on the verge of becoming a nuclear power. He may have saved the world from a holy war disaster.
Liberals, progressives, and socialists are all considered, "fellow travelers" on the road to full communism. People who support these ideologies without fully understanding this are called, "useful idiots." Truth. Are they, "willfully ignorant?" Do they not know the history of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR)?
Since the 1950s socialists have taken over our education systems, culminating in the Department of Education formed in 1979 by Jimmy Carter. Now the American Federation of Teachers runs the show; we have gone from first in the world in 1979 to 39th today. It's easier to convince stupid people to accept socialism. If we do go communist, it will take 50 years before our grandchildren rise up and throw off that yoke. That's how long it took for the USSR to fall. Communist China would have starved long ago without capitalism.
DONALD K. ALLEN, DVM
Boardman
Poland Library is valuable asset right where it is now
DEAR EDITOR:
The future of the Poland Library has become a subject of significant public concern, and for good reason. At issue is not merely a building, but a historic community institution reflecting our identity as Town One Range One of the Western Reserve.
Any decision affecting its fate deserves careful scrutiny, full transparency, and genuine public input.
At the outset, we must be clear: the Poland Library is structurally sound. By the library's own admission, the building remains in active public use.
The mechanical and infrastructure deficiencies cited by the current administration are not unusual for a 25-year-old building, nor are they unfixable. Across the country, libraries of similar age are successfully modernized through phased renovations and adaptive reuse.
What we are seeing is not a building failure, but the cumulative outcome of deferred maintenance and insufficient long-term capital planning by past and present leadership.
This distinction matters because it reframes the financial narrative. The cost figures used to justify a completely new construction have not been accompanied by detailed, year-by-year financial documentation. True "transparent stewardship" requires releasing these itemized records so the public can verify the necessity of a new build versus the cost of repairing what we have.
Furthermore, community sentiment and local leadership are fully aligned. Local elected officials unanimously support keeping the Poland Library open in its current historic location. Hundreds of residents have attended meetings and thousands have signed petitions echoing this stance.
When a representative body disregards such overwhelming public and political unity, it raises serious questions about accountability.
The Poland Library is a vital architectural and cultural asset. Its traditional design contributes to the historical continuity of our community. Modern library services do not inherently require a brand-new facility; technology can be integrated into the existing structure. Additionally, reported offers for local partnerships and grants from Poland Village and Township deserve full, documented evaluation.
We must not proceed based on preference or incomplete data. The path forward must be a thorough, transparent and inclusive evaluation of all options--including responsible reinvestment in a building that continues to serve us well.
PAUL MASTRIANA
Youngstown
MAGA folks are just parroting Trump's insults
DEAR EDITOR:
I have noticed MAGA is suddenly using the term "Communist Democrats". In fact, someone recently called me a Communist Democrat in a Facebook post. Why? Because he posted "Trump is saving our country" and I simply asked him for one example how.
I googled when Trump first used this term. This is what came up: "Trump's specific branding of Democrats as 'hardcore, godless Communists' heavily escalated during a speech on June 26, 2026." Since then he has spread the "Democrat Red Scare" by referring to Democrat Communism in dozens of speeches.
I find it scary how MAGA has grabbed onto this like a dog with a bone. In only one month, this has become the primary MAGA insult. It just shows how MAGA can't think for themselves, they just parrot everything Trump says and, even scarier, believe everything that comes out of his mouth.
One more thought -- if MAGA believes Democrats are Communists, they should watch just one Cabinet meeting where Trump's acolytes try to outdo each other praising their great leader.
LYNETTE CADLE
Austintown