Barack Obama’s health care policy may come back to derail Trump’s presidency

There are parallels between Kennedy-johnson and Obama-trump. For all the hype, Kennedy accomplished very little and the civil rights reform we associate with him was passed by Johnson with a political cunning JFK simply didn’t have.

Similarly, Obama used up his political capital forcing through a health “reform” which was little more than an expensive extension of Medicaid. After that he did nothing, apart from bombing twice as many Islamic nations as George Bush.

In the end LBJ was derailed by JFK’S only real legacy – Vietnam – and one can only hope Obama’s health legacy doesn’t do the same for Trump. REV DR JOHN CAMERON

Howard Place, St Andrews Donald Trump plans to drain the swamp in which multnational companies put selfinterest before national interest.

But like the politicians we know, he may not overcome prejudice sufficiently to be effective. Will they ask in the end: “Donald where’s yer trousers” when trade wars negate his economic aims?

Over here, Tory “Little England” thinking prevented us having an effective industrial policy which could have built stronger connections between British and European firms. Prejudice towards Europe and towards immigrants now makes it likely that we cannot maintain relationships with Europe.

If Theresa May fails to get a good transition deal with Europe she will be unable to address economic growth – instead, trade war strategy will trump industrial development strategy.

I hope Donald Trump plays his cards more carefully than Mrs May may.

ANDREW VASS Corbiehill Place, Edinburgh Violence by masked individuals is always wrong and not much better than terrorism.

I don’t agree with many of Trump’s actions, but didn’t approve of Clinton or Kennedy’s actions with women while president and in the White House. Where were the demonstrations then or is it all right to have an affair but not misuse language?

JAMES WATSON Randolph Crescent, Dunbar President Trump would have been a successful businessman in the Wild West days as a snake oil salesman. His miracle cure “Make America Great Again” appeals to the susceptible, naive nature of a large portion of the US citizens.

Eventually his slogans and pronouncements will be found to be ineffectual, and when he disappoints his supporters they will turn against him. They will realise that strong-minded people can be just as wrong or right as those who are diffident.

STANLEY MCWHIRTER Balcarres Street, Edinburgh Alex Salmond is so right to point out that “the problem with Donald Trump is what happens when somebody disagrees with him or says no to him”.

I mean, such a flawed character might refuse to answer questions from certain sources at a press conference or even prevent them from being admitted in the first place – surely not the standard of behaviour you would expect from a responsible leader of a country. COLIN HAMILTON Braid Hills Avenue,

Edinburgh