Republican Party has changed for the worse

During the Clinton, Bush and, especially, the Obama administrations I observed a change in the goals of the Republican Party and the way it was going to achieve them. I believe that the basis for this change was a conscious decision to keep and grow power by any means.

They were going to achieve this in two ways. First, ensure that the rich keep getting richer. Money is power. Because the middle class would not appreciate a party devoted to that cause it was important to keep it hidden. Second, secure the base and divide, distract and suppress the opposition by lying, cheating and practicing hypocrisy at the highest levels.

Donald Trump and the GOP used these skills in the 2016 election so effectively that, with the help of the Russians, this utterly unfit person achieved the presidency. Trump sees what Vladimir Putin, possibly the richest man on earth, and his oligarchs have done for themselves with the secondrate Russian economy. Trump dreams what he could do for himself and his own oligarchs with the U.S. economy if only he could shake us loose from all our old treaties, allies and trade agreements.

All who are concerned by this president's illegal, immoral and brutish behavior past and present, all who fear for our democracy and foreign influence on our elections and government, all who believe that government should work for all citizens, not just a wealthy few, all who feel that affordable health care is a right, all women who believe they should control their own bodies, all sincere religious people, all who are appalled at family separation, all members of minority and LGBTQ communities, all immigrant citizens must hang together and resist. Otherwise we will surely all hang separately.

Theresa Back, Reynoldsburg

Brain injury pervasive, requires services

I thank The Dispatch for shining light on traumatic brain injury and a study that identifies yet another responsible cause, i.e., domestic violence (“Head trauma exacerbates abuse,” Dispatch article, Monday). And, as shocking as those statistics are, they represent only a fraction of all the cases of TBI that occur in the state of Ohio yearly.

Known as the “silent epidemic,” TBI affects all demographic groups from babies to grandparents and shatters the lives of individuals and families — often to the point of disintegration, too often leading to depression, withdrawal, substance abuse, isolation and homelessness.

The facts:

• The 2017 Biennial Report on the Incidence of Traumatic Brain Injury in Ohio, prepared by the Ohio Brain Injury Program, says that each year, emergency rooms and hospitals see almost 120,000 Ohioans for TBI.

• As many as two to three times more Ohioans experience concussions (mild TBI’S), many of which may not be evaluated at all.

• 1.8 million adult Ohioans — more than 1 in 5 — have incurred at least one TBI in their lifetime that was severe enough to cause loss of consciousness.

• TBI is the “signature injury” of the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts, which brought thousands of cases home to Ohio.

• Unintentional falls are the leading cause of TBIS and are an especially high risk for seniors

• Motor vehicle crashes are next.

The Brain Injury Association of Ohio has seen the steady increase in incidence in that period and continues to work for ane xpanded public policy response that will bring needed services and supports to those who cope with the lifetime aftermath of TBI.

Tuesday, July 9, is “Brain Injury Awareness Day” in Ohio and a good time to reflect on the health and safety of our families as well as opportunities for building a healthier Ohio.

Stephanie Ramsey, president, Brain Injury Association of Ohio, Columbus

Writer faces no threat from illegal immigration

I respond to the Tuesday letter "Newspaper found fault with Trump's attributes" from Frank Chasar.

In what way is Chasar being harmed by the arrival of immigrants, legal or otherwise? In what way has central Ohio been harmed by these people? In what way has the United States been harmed? I've yet to hear a rational answer.

Mark Kinsler, Lancaster

Department of Agriculture move bad for country

The recent news that scientists in the Department of Agriculture will have to move to Kansas, where there is not even a building for them, is frightening. And if they don't move, they will be fired.

Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue last month finalized plans to move about 550 jobs at two scientific agencies in the Agriculture Department from southwest Washington, D.C., to the greater Kansas City region. This department handles our food sources, inspections, farmer issues, etc. We need to ask why. Climate issues can be seen here in Ohio with the overabundance of rain and farmers having to plant late. Our food supplies will be at risk.

The issue can't be put under the rug. If it is not faced now, it will have to be in the near future.

Adele Ingram, Columbus

Extremists are behind injustice to Jefferson

The city government of Charlottesville, Virginia, has dropped Founding Father Thomas Jefferson's birthday as an official city holiday from its roster in a misguided attempt to appease left-wing zealots.

All the man ever did was write the Declaration of Independence, become our third president and found the University of Virginia. Obviously a loser not worthy of our esteem!

Janet Prather, Canal Winchester

Even military members need firearms training

Every year during my 30-plus year career as an Air Force air crew member, I was required to qualify with a handgun. This was done on an outdoor range with a roof shelter over the firing line. More than one of these shelters sported bullet holes in the uprights, the roof beams and the roof itself, glaring evidence that the weapons had been mishandled.

So if military personnel, during annual firearms qualification, under the supervision of a range officer and subject to disciplinary proceedings still managed to mishandle their weapons, how much greater is the risk that untrained, unqualified, less motivated persons, regardless of their intent, could do the same?

I certainly echo Mark

Mathys' concerns regarding the potential increase of deliberate gun violence if House Bill 178 is enacted (Wednesday letter), but would add the likelihood of increased negligent gun violence — among gun owners, their families, friends and possibly even strangers on the street.

Neal Snyder, Upper Arlington

Editorial reminded us of presidential standards

I thank the Dispatch editorial board for that insightful, brave and specific editorial "What will decide the 2020 campaign for president?" that appeared in Sunday's Conversation section. Newspapers across the country should be writing just such editorials to combat the flood of lies coming from FOX News and the internet. The editorial reminded us of the standards we ought to expect but cannot find anywhere in this president, and it offered advice to Democrats. All good.

I hope The Dispatch continues covering issues where President Donald Trump's actions have been increasingly destructive: the climate crisis, dealings with Iran and North Korea, his custom of putting the word of thugs and murderers ahead of those findings of the FBI on Russia's involvement in our elections and Saudi Arabia's murder of a journalist working for an American paper.

Call attention to the total immorality of his treatment of children (and their parents) at the border, his habit of putting himself first in all things and his wretched example for young people who don't remember what integrity looked like in a president.

Keep showing us why a free press is so essential to our democracy.

Jill Grubb, Gambier