President Donald Trump’s tariffs are making the Depression look great again | Opinion

Making the Depression great again

If Trump, Musk and their merry band of destroyers aren’t stopped soon, then the 1930s will be looked at as a picnic.

Don Hughes, Los Banos

No mandate despite Trump rhetoric

Mr. Trump said in his recent speech to Congress that he had overwhelmingly won the popular vote in 2024. He then went on to infer that the victory was a mandate from the people to make massive changes to our government and society.

However, when you view the actual facts, Trump only received 49.81% of the popular vote in the election. Kamala Harris and the other presidential candidates received a combined 50.19% of the vote. The fact is that a majority of Americans did not even vote for Mr. Trump.

Given this information, it appears Trump has no popular mandate to do any of the drastic things he is now doing to our country. He has terminated thousands of federal jobs without regard to the employee’s job performance or importance to the government. He’s totally destroying our institutions without regard to their importance to our nation.

Trump says he is eliminating fraud and waste. However, he has cut all funding to cancer and Alzheimer’s research as an example of waste. And I have seen no arrests for fraud.

Most people voted for Trump to fix the economy. Why is he causing such chaos and trying to steal other countries?

Brian Johnson, Fresno

True values vs. Trump/Musk ethos

My 5th great-grandfather, Adam Derryberry, bravely fought in the Revolutionary War, and through his legacy, I carry the honor of being a Daughter of the American Revolution.

The values I inherited — courage, integrity, and a commitment to the greater good — stand in stark contrast to the ethos of Trump and Musk. My family’s tradition is one of sacrifice for a just cause, not the pursuit of power at any cost.

Micki Archuleta, Merced

Trump and sycophants take, never give

The president tells people to “shut up” about egg prices.

Elon Musk calls Sen. Mark Kelly “a traitor” for visiting Ukraine and saying we need to keep supporting it.

The administration claims any recession that might happen is “a readjustment period” and that’s a sacrifice they’re willing for us to make.

The president bragged no wars were started during his first term. Yet, we have started wars with Canada, Mexico and China (trade wars are wars).

The president has pushed the ideas of leaving NATO and the UN. Only once in NATO history has Article 5 been invoked (if one country is attacked all must defend). And that was shortly after 9/11. Who invoked it? We did. And NATO responded by joining with us to invade Iraq.

This president and his sycophants take and take and take, but never give back. They grab whatever money they can, whatever power, whatever influence. And live to humiliate, punish, dehumanize, denigrate anyone who disagrees with their greed and malice.

Empty vessels all of them. Cowards, bullies, scared little empty vessels.

”What to you do for the least of my brothers you do, also, for me.” The converse of that is true as well.

Joel S. Dyer, Fresno

Clovis Unified dress code needs fairness

The recent article on Clovis Unified School District’s dress code highlights a troubling pattern of gender-biased enforcement.

Data from CUSD show that female students received 81% of the 3,390 dress code citations in the fall semester, with the trend continuing at 77% for the 2023-24 school year. This clear bias leaves many students feeling discriminated against.

I witnessed this same unfair enforcement in high school. Female students were frequently dress-coded for wearing tank tops in hot weather, while male students faced no consequences for similar attire. This double standard frustrated many, with some even considering transferring schools due to biased policies.

Students have voiced concerns that these policies contribute to gender bias and the unnecessary sexualization of female students. A student in the article shared how an administrator’s comments over a minor violation left her feeling confused and unsupported — an experience echoed by many.

While dress codes aim to promote a focused learning environment, their enforcement must be fair. I urge CUSD to adopt a gender-neutral dress code, ensuring all students are treated equitably.

Maribel Labra, Planada

Say no to Fresno’s SEDA plan

March 24 is the last day to submit public comment about Fresno’s proposed Southeast Development Area plan, which has the potential to harm Fresno businesses, neighborhoods, residents, and taxpayers for years to come.

It calls for annexing 9,000 acres into the city, requiring huge investments in new sewer, water, streets, police, and fire services for which the rest of us will have to pay.

Read the plan: tinyurl.com/SEDAplan. Email comments to: longrangeplanning@fresno.gov. If you commented before 2025, know that all prior input is being disregarded. Submit again.

My objections include:

• SEDA is based on a dangerously outdated presumed growth rate 10 times greater than our current, declining rate of population growth.

• Fresno’s new budget is $20 million short of current needs. Approving SEDA would add significant additional debt with no guarantee of revenue to offset it.

• SEDA will direct our limited resources away from existing neighborhoods, such as the West Area Specific Plan.

• SEDA will harm Fresno businesses. Fresno business owners ask for improvements to sidewalks, parking, drainage, traffic flow, and lighting. Thriving businesses support a thriving Fresno. They deserve better — but if the city annexes SEDA, there will be no money for needed repairs.

Erika Leonard, Fresno