Tesla cars are being defaced and destroyed nationwide to poke Elon Musk and Donald Trump. Trashing Tesla cars is political violence and must stop.
It is the channeling of the worst impulses, which we also witnessed on Jan. 6, 2021, by MAGA supporters. Violence begets violence. What if that Tesla is your relative’s or your friend’s? Would you be cool with that? Keep this up, and someone may eventually get blown away by an owner with a gun.
Adolf Hitler exploited escalating street violence in early 1930s Germany to acquire the chancellorship. We know what that led to.
America may be a long way from 1930s Germany. But once begun, it’s not difficult for the slippery slope of political violence to become irreversible.
Progressives and all people of goodwill must channel their despair and angst into organizing and peaceful political action and protest.
The alternative is unthinkable.
— Walt Zlotow, Glen Ellyn
Failing to recall history
In his letter “The pace of elimination” (March 14), Wally Salganik writes that the recent elimination of many jobs and services by the federal government was initially concerning. But since they did not impact him directly, he was not alarmed. His level of concern changed to alarm with the possibility of the cutting of his Social Security benefits on the table because that would impact him.
Upon reading his letter, the words of German pastor Martin Niemöller immediately came to mind. As a response to the Nazis’ oppression, Niemöller made this postwar statement. (Editor’s note: It is often referred to as a poem, with the title “First They Came.”)
“First they came for the communists, and I did not speak out. Because I was not a communist. Then they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out. Because I was not a socialist. Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out. Because I was not a trade unionist. Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out. Because I was not a Jew. Then they came for me. And there was no one left to speak out for me.”
There is an eerie parallel here to 1930s Germany. Many people believed that the Nazis and Adolf Hitler would provide strong leadership to make Germany a powerful and respected nation again. Many also saw the Nazi Party as a way for Germany to return to the Christian morals that were thought to have been abandoned. Some even referred to Hitler as an instrument sent by God.
It is wise to remember the words of Spanish philosopher George Santayana, who wrote in 1905 that “those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.”
— Cathlin Buckingham Poronsky, Burr Ridge
Toss those lawn signs
I first came into my liberal beliefs in the 1970s when we were firmly anti-war, anti-government overreach and pro-choice and for equal rights across the gender and racial spectra. All of these still apply in the current dangerous state of our times.
So why am I so upset with and distrusting of liberalism?
Currently, liberals feel the need to “correct” the extremism of the right through conversion, derision and our own brand of extremism. We are trying to counter the unified right with the same tactics we see them as using against us. We fail (or, worse, refuse) to see that in their eyes, they are applying these as self-defense against liberal zealotry.
Over the past 20 or so years, the absolutes necessary to “prove” our liberalism have become more and more immutable and rigidly defined. We are living in the Age of Lawn Sign Liberalism. It is only a matter of looking at our front lawns to see this. We loudly proclaim, “In this house, we believe …,” then lay out a laundry list of our righteous absolutes.
Of course, we proclaim our beliefs in the front yard, then close our doors when conservatives come to call. We gather around the hearth of our good philosophies, then refuse warmth to those who do not accept them at the face value at which we present them.
We have gone from a society that accepts and glories in our differences to one that thinks any deviation from our rigid definition of “good” is the unfailing sign of a character flaw in those who disagree. Sadly, this intolerance is endorsed equally by both sides.
If history has taught us anything, it is that divisions must be overcome if we are to have any chance at a necessary harmony. The time has come when it is necessary for the right and the left to not just hear those with whom each disagrees, but also to do the much harder job of actually listening.
There was a time when we shared core beliefs, but the expression of these has been dictated by their evolution over time. It would be good to find our way back to what once united us.
A good place to start? Burn those lawn signs and invite those we see as enemies to hoist a beer in the warmth of that fire.
After all, it starts with listening.
— Ron Falzone, Chicago
Fight for our country
To Democrats and Republicans: All of you, please stop thinking about yourselves and start thinking about those you represent.
Democrats should stop all of the infighting, and Republicans should start doing what’s right and not worrying about being in President Donald Trump’s good graces.
We are fighting for our country. Act like it.
— Patty Stepek, Tinley Park
What did they achieve?
Elon Musk and President Donald Trump really did not think this through. The government workers who are vested could now file for their pension, which is probably not in the government budget.
For those not vested, they will file for unemployment, which will affect both state and federal. With the lack of workers needed to serve the citizens when needed, the agencies will have to rehire employees or hire temporary staff.
What did these firings achieve? In short, nothing. Funds are still being spent, services have been cut off and Americans are angry.
— Judy Arkes, Chicago
A Christian perspective
President Donald Trump’s war on DEI is hard to understand from a Christian perspective. DEI stands for diversity, equity and inclusion. Since when are these values not fundamental to the teachings of Jesus? I just don’t get it.
— Anne Krick, Warrenville
A pro-life president?
Our president is not pro-life. Now, I’ve said it. If you voted for him believing this falsehood, I am sorry. Many of my fellow Catholics voted for him. Many of them prayed that Roe v. Wade would be overturned. It’s possible that disappointment in current affairs has made abortion reform a hollow victory.
A person who is pro-life does not entrust health care to an anti-vax zealot. A person who is pro-life does not insult another nation’s leader and deliver that leader’s people into the hands of a murderous dictator. A person who is pro-life would not terrify America’s people by scheduling detainment for some of their innocent relatives. A person who is pro-life would not threaten the health and safety of our country by defunding food programs here and abroad, education for the less fortunate and financial help for the elderly. A pro-life person in the Oval Office would not hire the wealthiest man on earth to cancel welfare programs, lower the curtain on concerts and plays, discourage the delivery of mail or make groceries too expensive to enjoy. A pro-life president would not embrace any form of discrimination, ancient or emergent.
My observation is that kind, generous, compassionate people are often happy regardless of their material wealth. Life is difficult at times for all of us. In a broader sense than politics, we are pro-life and pro-each other. We smile and are courteous.
For our next voting experience, let’s vote for life, liberty, and the health and safety of one another.
— Marilyn Dean, Glen Ellyn
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