Trump would harm US reputation
After Super Tuesday, Donald Trump is one step closer to becoming the Republican presidential nominee. While his platform has repeatedly drawn enthusiastic support, what message would electing him as president send the rest of the world?
Thus far, Trump has made inflammatory remarks about a wide range of subjects, including immigrants and Muslims. During his latest press conference, he took aim at Speaker Paul Ryan, a prominent Republican.
{mosads}“Paul Ryan, I don’t know him well, but I’m sure I’m going to get along great with him,” said Trump. “And if I don’t, he’s going to have to pay a big price, OK?”
The U.S. has repeatedly been accused of bullying other countries, and electing Trump, frequently portrayed as a bully, would do little to improve this perception. We, the American people, cannot afford to put this man in the White House.
From Charles L. Bovaird II, Boston
Changes to Cuba policy overdue
I was happy to learn that President Obama is likely to visit Cuba in the coming weeks (“Obama to visit Cuba,” Feb. 18). He should, for several reasons, including the clear message that it sends to those who oppose his policy toward Cuba and the rest of Latin America. After more than 55 years of failure, it is long overdue to change the U.S. approach toward Cuba. Obama and his administration have done that. There should be no turning back. The president going to Cuba, assuming it is a high enough priority in his very busy agenda, is a very positive step, and there is no better way than for him of the United States to address the Cuban people.
From Adolfo R. Garcia, Boston
Myths about Scandinavian welfare
I have been volunteering as a Danish high school student for the Bernie Sanders campaign. It has been amazing, but there has been one thing that has surprised me: the ignorance of many Republicans on socialism and the Scandinavian welfare state. Let me do you a favor and bust the biggest myths.
No, we are not communists. First of all, we have a framework economy where healthcare, education, social security and retirement benefits are tasks that the government maintains while the free market works alongside with minor regulations. Secondly, we have freedom of speech. Thirdly, we have a constitutional monarchy, just like Norway, Sweden and Great Britain. Last time I checked, communist don’t have monarchs, they have dictators.
No, we are not poor. Our gross national income is $61,310 (2014) per capita. The American GNI is $55,860 (2014) per capita. Our Gini coefficient is 29.1 (2012). The U.S. Gini coefficient is 41.1 (2013). These numbers tell me one thing: Denmark is richer per citizen and the wealth is more evenly distributed.
No, Denmark is not a hellhole. I’ve been told that in Denmark no one works and that the free healthcare isn’t working. Let’s check some facts: The Danish unemployment rate was 6.3 percent in 2012. The American unemployment rate for the same year was 8.2 percent. The numbers speak clearly. The Danish healthcare system is one of the best in the world. No one in my family has ever experienced problems with the system. And neither has most of the Danish population.
Just because I am only 16 doesn’t mean that I am stupid and that I don’t understand anything. I’ve been treated as a small ignorant child. Politics aren’t about age. Politics are about opinions and knowledge. Apparently, a lot of Republicans don’t possess much of the latter.
From Noah Jakob Pruzan-Jørgensen, Copenhagen
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