George Orwell warned us of this federal farce
Opelika, Ala.: The headline for Leonard Greene’s column “Not so social or secure” (April 13) in the Trumpian era is akin to civil forfeiture, which is actually an uncivil confiscation. President Trump is a professional liar, and the lies are flying like projectiles from a Gatling gun.
The so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is mismanaged by Trump’s billionaire campaign contributor Elon Musk. He has held a chainsaw aloft to symbolize how he’s slashed fat from the federal budget. That’s Orwellian speech at its worst, just as George Orwell wrote in “1984.” More than 12% of the Social Security Administration’s workforce has been reduced. Once again, an Orwellian attempt to disguise the trauma, devastation, economic peril and uncertainty that DOGE’s harsh practices have heaped upon individuals and families.
The government’s objective: reduce the size of its bloated workforce and organizational structure. At first blush, it appeared they were talking about Trump’s bloat. His physician claims Trump only weighs 224 pounds, down from a misreported 244 pounds. Furthermore, the self-serving government blurb informed citizens that its moves would prioritize customer service. A daughter called Social Security to report that her mother died, and to avoid being charged with fraud, she was told she would have a 120-minute wait. She decided to have the agency call her back. It did — six hours later.
How many Congress members have reduced their staffing to reduce their bloated structures? Trump’s arduous labors have required him to recuperate at his Mar-a-Lago digs. Of course, his jaunts have cost taxpayers close to $14 million, according to a Government Accountability Office report. That’s Trump being Trump. Marc D. Greenwood
As it always was
Bronx: To Voicer Itai Sneh: You have a point about Bill Maher being wined and dined, 47 being 47 (do as he says) and Maher being Maher (to tell it as it is experienced, even if it is unexpected), but you should not be alarmed by it. This is just exposing the hands-on versus hands-off competition that has always plagued this U.S. oligarchy wanting to present as a republic. It would be poetic if it wasn’t so self-defeating. Dale Benjamin Drakeford
Sleazy history
Oradell, N.J.: What a laugh I had reading Voicer Vincent Tripp’s letter. He thinks most Democrats are sleazebags, as opposed to the party that gave us the crooked Richard Nixon and the Orange Felon himself. Ronald Reagan ignored the AIDS epidemic; millions died. Republicans opposed welfare during the Great Depression, Social Security and Medicare as well — cornerstones of our great democracy. They didn’t want women or Blacks to vote. They didn’t think schools should be integrated. They lied to us about WMDs in Iraq. They lied to us about COVID; millions died again. Every Republican president since Herbert Hoover managed to leave their Democratic successor an economy in shambles except Dwight Eisenhower, who benefited from a post-war economy. The list of poor decisions by Republicans are too numerous to list on this page, but Democrats are the sleazebags. What a laugh. Keep ’em coming, Vinny! Paul Keeley
Sovereign territories
Hamden, Conn.: Did anyone notice that Voicer Paul Denk seemed to mention everywhere having trouble except the U.S.A.? Those countries have governments, except for Gaza, which is a terrorist hotbed. Aren’t governments responsible for their own citizens or do U.S. taxpayers have to feed the world? Chris Lyons
Foreign investments
Manhattan: There is no doubt that Trump, as noted in your editorial (“Harvard rightly rejects Trump,” April 15), has utilized a heavy-handed approach in his dealings with Harvard and other important American universities. However, your support for Harvard’s seemingly courageous pushback on his aggressive position fails to note another important source of inappropriate funding and influence on Harvard and virtually every significant university in America. It is well-documented that Qatar, Saudi Arabia and several other Arab/Muslim states have, for the past 20 years, been pouring billions of dollars into Harvard, Columbia and many other universities without those entities appropriately disclosing those payments and with little or no government evaluation of the impact those funds have had in distorting staffing and teaching at those institutions. It is time for full disclosure and discussion of any inappropriate influencers on the integrity of our American educational institutions. Andrew M. Upton
Hiding something
North Bergen, N.J.: I can think of two reasons Trump and his buddy, Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele, will not agree to the return of wrongfully imprisoned Kilmar Abrego Garcia to the United States. Either Garcia is no longer living or the conditions of his imprisonment have left him in such poor condition that it might outrage even some of Trump’s MAGA supporters. Trump paid Bukele $6 million to imprison and torture deportees for one year. How much more of our tax money does Trump intend to pay Bukele to expand his prison system to accommodate the thousands of additional illegal deportees Trump would like to send? Does Trump have the right to use our tax dollars as he wishes, or will Congress finally exercise its authority and refuse to finance the construction and maintenance of off-shore concentration camps out of reach of our courts? Irving A. Gelb
Proof of life
Old Tappan, N.J.: Two world leaders can’t send someone back from El Salvador for his day in court? I’m getting a bad feeling that something terribly wrong happened to him already. Can they at least prove he is alive and well for the family’s sake? Robert Riccardelli
Lowered standard
Manhattan: I just saw the photo of our Dear Leader meeting with the self-proclaimed dictator of El Salvador and noticed that Dear Leader did not harangue the dictator about his casual dress in the Oval Office. I wonder if that has anything to do with his willingness to house deportees (and to happily accept the U.S. taxpayer millions being paid for that service). Hmm. Minette Gorelik
Mum’s the word
Forest Hills: Where is Congress? Along with those who voted for this would-be dictator, no comment? It’s OK to gut the CDC, erase the Enola Gay and Jackie Robinson, use jack-booted thugs to grab people off the street, have prices shoot sky high with childish back-and-forth economic decisions, threaten citizens with deportation, dissolve cryptocurrency controls, have a cabinet member think steak sauce is AI in schools, refuse to follow the courts, blackmail universities, play softball with put rivals and have sycophantic press questions? I guess they’re all cowards. Those of you who voted for him, with your made-in-China polyester hats, you can’t tell me this is what you wanted. Matthew N. Ross
Moral corruption
Smithfield Pa.: I don’t get how half the population could support someone whose whims are policy. Trump is a mentally ill person who daily and before our eyes struggles with his mental confusion and is constantly manipulated by people who do not love this country. When I know someone who voted for him, I know there is something lacking in that person’s character. People who support a criminal must have larceny in their hearts. People who support rounding up and deporting those lawfully here must have racism in their hearts. People who support firing people and wrecking agencies we all rely on, without process or plan, must have coldness in their hearts. People who alienate our allies must have arrogance and hubris in their hearts. I have hope that the true generous and noble spirit of our nation can resurface and carry us through these bad times. Mary Terry
Heard enough
New Hyde Park, L.I.: I have been a pro-football fan for almost 70 years. I will be interested to see who my Giants choose in the draft. Nevertheless, oversaturated media debate and discussion of the potential draft choices has become rather tedious. Draft Day couldn’t come sooner for me. Let’s get it done. John C. Macklin
Standby security
Staten Island: Waiting at St. George Ferry Terminal for the ferry, I was flabbergasted at the absolutely useless security team (four people) standing around talking to each other instead of maybe doing something about all the cigarette and pot smokers in the hallway. I approached the guy with the dog to let her check me and he couldn’t be bothered to respond. This after watching half the bus passengers not bother to pay. This city under Mayor Adams is screwed. Enforce the damn laws already. Tom McGuire
