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Lies are the means to destroy democracy

- LETTERS@USATODAY.COM

The freedom of the press separates America from most countries, and it is paramount to our personal freedoms.

The truth is always difficult for politician­s to align with, especially when their office (livelihood) is at stake. History tells us that all administra­tions loathe the press, because they cannot control all the watchdogs.

Sure, reporters get the story wrong if they’re too eager to get a scoop, but not often. A free press brings transparen­cy to the dark side of politics and big business, while spilling the beans on bean counters. American society has reached the point where the truth doesn’t matter that much, if at all, as long as lies support one’s beliefs. Ideologies based on untruths have always been the means to destroy democracie­s, enslave the populous, and make the wealthiest wealthier. Lies are like cake icing. One is never sure about what kind of cake it is until the icing is penetrated.

John O’Malley

Hoover, Ala.

Is it proper for the accused to exonerate himself ?

If you happen to be a Donald Trump voter — which would be about half of America’s voting public — you have probably been called a million names by now, all trying to say you were stupid about your vote. And the problem between the news media and Trump started because it was apparent the media had their candidate picked in 2016, and we the people screwed up their plan. The media need to start reporting what happens and not what they hope will happen. I don’t know anyone who trusts the media, or any other large entity — and for good reason! We have been lied to a lot by major institutio­ns, and we’re damned tired of it.

News media, try reporting and leave the anointing of new politician­s to the public. This is just another reason newspapers are going away: You feed us the same trash as the internet, and lies are cheaper online.

William Grey

Virginia Beach

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