It is time to reset the nation’s moral compass

There seems to be a noticeable buzz these days around the country as it sinks into a confusing malaise of values set by our current presidential officeholder.

Why does the president continue to spin lies and conspiracy theories to attack many of his political adversaries in this country?

What negative impact on our nation’s moral fiber results from his vicious Twitter attacks daily?

Why does the Senate bow to him in fear as he commits mafia-style extortion for self-serving, political gain against the country of Ukraine?

How has our president’s denial of global warming and consequent decision to withdraw from the Paris Climate Change agreement damage our longstanding alliance with friendly allies?

What negative message does he send about America’s national security when he goes after his own intelligence experts and patriotic military heroes while praising heinous dictators?

Watching Trump’s impeachment trial, I’ve been engaged by prosecutor presentations outlining the powerful Separations of Powers/Checks and Balances provisions of the Constitution.

Our president shall not be above the law.

Congress can remove a chief executive from office whose moral behavior goes flagrantly astray.

Court processes can interpret disputes fairly in cases of improper presidential conduct prior to or during an election.

Our democracy clearly works when handled correctly.

I welcome 2020 as the year that America stands up to this reality TV show of hateful tweets, this-forthat bribes, senseless lies and revengeful meltdowns.

For by doing so through either trial conviction or election rejection, we reset the standards of our nation’s moral compass in the right direction.

– James Rogge,

Davie

WHAT PRICE HEALTH?

Re the Jan. 27 article “Insulin prices are skyrocketing, but the Florida

House won’t act:” The article raises several important issues. Pharmaceutical companies legitimately need to generate decent income as they carry out much of the research that leads to new drugs.

However, patients with Type 1 diabetes die if they do not receive insulin (patients with Type 2 diabetes may require it for good control).

In the early 1920s, when insulin was discovered in Canada, the two senior members of the three-man research team were each awarded the Nobel Prize and also the patent on insulin. They each sold their patent to the university where they did their research for $1 each!

The lead researcher, Frederick Banting, explained: “Insulin does not belong to me. Insulin belongs to the world.”

– Lee Dresden Goldberg, professor, physician assistant, Barry University,

Miami Shores

CHANGING VIEW

I was a Republican when the party had impressive moderates like Charles H. Percy, Jacob Javits and Nelson Rockefeller, and thoughtful conservatives like Howard Baker. Republicans, putting principle and country first and forced Richard Nixon to resign because of Watergate.

When the party turned hard right in the 1980s, I registered as a Democrat, where I stayed for 30 years.

A few years ago, I became an Independent. I was disappointed with Democrats’ growing leftwing populism, identity politics and uninspiring candidates.

However, the Democrats have a large centrist cohort, unlike the Republicans, and it has become clear that the only possibility to elect a thoughtful, balanced, centrist president is through the Democratic Party.

One candidate, Mike Bloomberg, stands out. He is the most accomplished, thoughtful, balanced and genuine figure in American public life over the past 20 years, combining the great qualities of principled moderate leaders of both parties in the past.

So, I’ve registered as a Democrat — again. The Florida primary is fast approaching, and Independents and Republicans who want to restore thoughtful, balanced and truly independent and ethical national leadership should do so as well.

– Neisen Kasdin,

Miami Beach

STICKING WITH TRUMP

As I watched the impeachment trial of President Trump, not only did Trump’s legal team completely dismantle the articles of impeachment, they also dismantled the Democrat Party.

For four years, Democrats have portrayed Trump as illegitimate.

They have spent tens of millions of dollars to convince us this is true. Trump has done nothing illegal or impeachable. In order to understand how this lie stayed afloat for so long, I blame the media and a misguided public fooled by fake news.

The hatred toward Trump is real yet completely illogical and misguided. Economic factors prove this correct.

Trump will be found innocent and will win by a landslide in November. The greatest president in our lifetime isn’t going anywhere, and neither is my vote.

– Cal Crowder, Altamonte Springs

TROUBLED COLOMBIA

Re the Jan. 26 op-ed “Colombia is systematically killing off its black citizens:” This is offensive, especially on the day of the liberation of Auschwitz.

I tweeted at the opinion writer, and she replied that what is happening in Colombia is comparable to Chinese internment camps for Muslims or the Rohingya situation in Myanmar, yet her article does not once substantiate the claim the government is directly involved in eliminating black people — because it is not.

Colombia is a democracy, rife with corruption yes, but a developing country that simply can’t deal with its narco-terrorist problem. That’s why our civil war lasted 50 years. To compare a country trying to come to grips with its past, its burgeoning guerrillas and the intrusion of the Sinaloa and Gulf cartels, with China or Myanmar is wrong.

– Sebastian Ospina, Weston

FACTS DON’T MATTER

White House lawyers defending President

Trump say Democrats want to overturn the results of the 2016 election. Sixty-three million people voted for Trump. They knew his history and reputation when they voted for him.

But did voters think he’d try to interfere in the 2020 election by bullying a foreign country in order to dig up dirt on a possible political opponent? The answer is a resounding No.

Trump isn’t one to let facts get in his way. You think it’s any different with people defending him?

– Glenn Huberman,

Miami

FORGET FIFTH AVENUE

So far, Trump has killed the spirit of the original Republican Party, ripped the spines from all Republicans, shredded science — and he is going to get reelected by his base.

So, yes, his insight into the mind of his voters is 100 percent accurate.

– Marcelo Salup,

Coral Gables

TOO MANY LIZARDS

Where can I find birth control for iguanas, as the Jan. 26 letter “Beach’s iguana eradication plan is inhumane” recommends? I will not just walk, I will run to buy it! I will feed the iguanas systematically and continuously with all the vegetables and flowers they love and devour, destroying my garden.

Iguanas don’t eat local weeds. They eat vegetables and flowers. I have not been able to harvest any tomatoes in years. My flame vine hedge is ruined. Iguanas are an invasive species, just like the pythons in the Everglades.

– Renate Van Kempema, Coral Gables

LAUGHING OUT LOUD

Steve Martin and Martin Short had a wonderful show recently at the Hard Rock Live in Hollywood. Their show included an all-woman jazz band, which reminded me of the 1959 movie, “Some Like it Hot.”

Martin and Short should consider a revival, with Martin playing the role of Jack Lemmon and Short playing the role of Tony Curtis. The perfect actress to play the role of Marilyn Monroe is Lady Gaga.

– Celia Kaufman,

Coral Gables

BIBLE REFRESHER

On Jan. 26, a letter writer suggested that it’s “time for an update” to the U.S. Constitution regarding today’s weapons. Would he also suggest that we update the centuries-old Bible? After all, it was written before there was electricity or cars, so it surely has no relevance today.

– Sharon Franklin, Hialeah

BOLTON EVOLVES

I did not care much for John Bolton when he was U.N. ambassador. He was abrasive and a warmonger. But now he brings to mind the famous saying: You can fool some of the people some of the time, but you can’t fool all of the people all the time.

– Lazaro G. Martinez,

Miami