Putin reaps a solid return on investment in Trump

The long shadow of Vladimir Putin cases a dark pall over President

Trump’s Ukraine policy. I was not surprised that Trump didn’t disagree with Putin’s assertion that the greatest catastrophe of the 20th century was the collapse of the Soviet Union. Trump would never disagree with Putin, his great friend and most important patron.

So two world wars, the Great Depression, epidemics that killed or paralyzed millions worldwide before vaccines to prevent influenza and polio were developed and the destruction of the World Trade Center were nothing compared to “tragic” collapse of the Soviet Union?

When Putin invaded Georgia in Eastern Europe to “rescue” pro-Russian citizens who had lived there for generations, he did just as Hitler did, invading the Sudetenland on a similar pretext, at the start of World War II. But Trump seemed not to notice. Citizen Trump didn’t see anything wrong when Putin took Crimea from Ukraine, and appears to be indifferent to Putin’s armed support of pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine and had little or nothing to say when they shot down a civilian airliner, killing all aboard.

It doesn’t take a Winston Chirchill to see that Putin wants Ukraine back into the resurgent Soviet Union.

Since taking office, Trump has done everything he can to weaken NATO and the European alliance, and by withholding American arms aid from

Ukraine, Trump has made Putin’s goal easier to achieve.

Putin’s shrewd investment in Trump is paying off handsomely.

– Howard Golden,

Miami

DRUG ADS

The Nov. 10 front-page story “When doctor’s a salesperson: Drug firms dole out windfalls” points out one of the problems with Big Pharma. It was long overdue. There needs to be more oversight. I look forward to a similar story about drug company lobbyists.

Another problem I would like to see addressed are ubiquitous TV drug commercials. It seems that every program has one or more commercials for a prescription drug. They should be banned. You can’t buy the advertised products.

Instead, you are told to ask — or badger — your doctor to prescribe them. Hopefully, your doctor will make sound medical decisions about appropriate drugs.

But, judging from the enormous amount of money spent on them, these ads must work.

– John Goehl, Biscayne Park

DAY OF HONOR

Nov. 11 was the day we look to the people who risked their lives for the safety of our country and to help others, and to the people who are making this world a better place.

Not only have they gone through some of the hardest trials, but they put their lives in danger to protect others.

They have been my biggest inspiration in seeking to join the military to fight for this country, to give a helping hand to those who need it and to become a better citizen.

I thank them for all of their hard work and dedication.

– Katarina A. Pridemore, Miami

FIXING HEALTHCARE

Re Jim Morin’s cynical Nov. 7 editorial cartoon about Elizabeth Warren and the fairy godmother: We could have “Medicare for all.” All that is required is for billionaires to pay as much income tax, percentage-wise, as their secretaries. Many pay little or nothing because of a rigged tax system.

Creating a Secretaries Tax would bring in trillions of dollars. Warren Buffet has admitted he doesn’t pay as much income tax as his secretary. If laws were changed, he would be glad to pay more.

We could give basic healthcare to everyone, including the poor, elderly and the homeless.

But we, the richest country in the world, continue to make the local hospital emergency room the national healthcare system for workers.

– Del Cain, Bradenton

BUTTIGIEG IS DUE

Why don’t media to take Pete Buttigieg seriously? He is young, smart, a military veteran, speaks several languages, has many accomplishments and can speak spontaneously on his feet.

He has always been a gentleman and doesn’t stoop to the name-calling that is so common today; he has respect and compassion. He is a throwback to a kinder era, and we need him now.

Democrats are proudly liberal on social issues, so sexuality is barely a concern. He is the perfect candidate for moderate Democrats, so why isn’t he polling higher?

– Jeff Haller, Cutler Bay

TEACH PATRIOTISM

At the start of Sunday night’s game between the Minnesota Vikings and the Dallas Cowboys, a trumpeter played the Star-Spangled Banner as the camera panned the faces of some of the players of both teams.

Not one player could or would sing the National Anthem.

Sadder still, much of the crowd began applauding long before the end of the song, not knowing that it hadn’t reached “the land of the free and the home of the brave.”

There was a time when every schoolchild had to know at least the first verse of the Star-Spangled Banner as well as the Pledge Of Allegiance.

Perhaps parents should teach these pieces of Americana to their kids.

– Seth Lefkow,

Aventura

VOTING RIGHTS

Americans can declare bankruptcy and leave many people without the money they were entitled to receive, and still retain the right to vote.

Men and women can owe money to ex-spouses for child support, and still retain the right to vote.

Anyone can accrue a dangerous amount of debt on a credit card, and still retain the right to vote.

Residents can be foreclosed on their home, yet still retain the right to vote.

I am puzzled that, after Floridians voted to restore voting rights of non-violent ex-felons who have paid their social dues, the state is still withholding these rights because money is owed.

Kudos to the court that paved the way for at least some former non-violent felons to have their voting rights restored.

– Bettyann Pober,

Palmetto Bay

TRUMP’S BETRAYALS

President Trump does not believe in laws. If you are honest, you will agree he has broken just about every law he possibly could.

Trump demands loyalty but gives none. Several people who helped him during his candidacy are either serving time in jail or waiting to serve time, and he has done nothing to help them. Demands for loyalty by an individual is characteristic of a dictator.

Anybody who helps Trump will get thrown under the bus. He has no honor and his credibility is nonexistent. Rudy Guiliani and Mike Pompeo will go under the bus soon.

– Floyd Pollaski, Cantonment

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CASTING A SPELL

President Trump might be right when he calls a congressional investigation a witch hunt. But in this case, there certainly appears to be an actual witch, or more appropriately, a warlock, in the White House cauldron.

– John R. Schuller,

Fort Lauderdale

VIOLATING OATHS

There is ample evidence for the credible claims that President Trump is a threat to national security and requires the impeachment inquiry be approached with all due seriousness.

Extorting a foreign ally by withholding military aid in exchange for investigations of domestic political opponents is clearly a violation of Trump’s oath of office and a gross abuse of power.

He most certainly put his own needs above our national security and aided Russia’s military objectives.

When U.S. Rep. Brian Mast, and Sens. Marco Rubio and Rick Scott defend Trump’s actions, they defend Russia and Putin, violating their own oath of office. The nation and history will be watching these elected officials.

Will they be part of saving our democracy or will they be tools of its destruction?

– Richard Samuels, Palm Beach Gardens

BRING IT HOME

Why not hold the Formula 1 race in the neighborhoods where Carlos Giménez and Stephen Ross live?

They approve of the disruptions, noise, pollution and chaos — let them live with it.

– Jean Stewart, Miami