Declared all-out war

The Trump Republicans have declared all-out war on the free press by calling any news unfavorable to them “fake news,” and labeling the press “the enemy of the people.” It seems they have also declared war on our democracy, war on truthfulness and honesty, and war on Christian ethics. Our United States is changing from a democracy into a plutocracy. A plutocracy is “a country ruled by the wealthy.” To wit: The billionaire cabinet of Donald Trump. The Citizens United Supreme Court ruling allowing billionaires to “buy” elections. The unwillingness of the party to recognize climate change due to the control of the oil and gas tycoons. Making it hard for ordinary people to vote. The tax breaks for the wealthy in the name of the thoroughly debunked theory of “trickle-down economics,” aka “voodoo economics” (quote George H.W. Bush).

It is shameful for the Trump Republicans to call lies, dishonesty and misrepresentations “alternative facts.” Their totally ignoring scientific facts and statistics puts our country at great peril.

However, most egregious is the Trump Republicans’ war on Christian principles. Taking away health care from 20 million Americans who need it most, advocating building walls to separate us and excluding immigrants, stirring up racial and religious hatred, fostering fear and hatred between communities and countries, and ignoring the poor and disadvantaged is plain wrong, immoral and un-Christian. Such actions by persons in great power—legislators and chief executives alike—should be vigorously condemned by every practicing Christian, regardless of their denomination.

GEORGE H. BENJAMIN

Siloam Springs