Trump evokes queen in ‘ Alice in Wonderland’

During the presidential campaign, Donald Trump’s outrageous rhetoric kept heads spinning. Now, as president, it only has gotten worse, with mis- ordered priorities and zealous intent to destroy everything workable put in place by previous administrations. One of the first: Building a wall along the Mexican border. The estimated price tag: $ 12 billion.

Imagine what the same $ 12 billion could do to rescue the nation’s crumbling infrastructure. What say you, Republicans?

And imagine that it succeeds in barring workers from entering the U. S. If he also expels all undocumented Mexican workers already here, who’ll pick the produce, dress our poultry and keep the hotels humming? If Trump’s jobhungry followers want work, will they fill the void? Not according to their past lack of interest.

Already in D. C., our top seven foreign service executives have resigned. After the fact, Trump disingenuously claims he fired them. Also in question: NATO.

With such deliberate tumult, how long can the center hold? He seems bent on unraveling our government and our ability to be of relevance in the world.

One is reminded of the Mad Queen in “Alice InWonderland,” who famously declared her every unmoored fantasy to be valid and real, and a beheading to any dissenter.

What hath our democratic process wrought? Ted Z. Manuel, Hyde Park

Stem the drug flow

I don’t understand the leaders of Chicago’s reluctance to accept assistance from President Donald Trump dealing with the high- crime rate. For them to say all they need are jobs and training and the crime will disappear is ridiculous. In most instances, the crimes are drug- related. Take away the drugs, and the crime will dissipate by a large degree. The gang- bangers are not looking for $ 8.25- an- hour jobs when they can earn thousands in a day dealing drugs— get real! What we need is a way to stem the drug flow— how is it getting here — who are the dealers?