Readers sound off on foreign policy, Founders’ Deism and immigrant taxation

Ocala, Fla.: The president has put the U.S.A. in danger over and over again. He has fired experienced FBI, CIA and cyberattack personnel. Now we have a war in Iran that will probably get much worse. I hope the Saudis demand their $2 billion back from Jared Kushner.

We went into Venezuela and stole useless oil that can’t be refined in the U.S. Now the president wants to invade Cuba. This is probably a gift to Marco Rubio. The MAGA/MAHA crowd somehow believed President Trump was for America first. Now he is acting just like his “pal” Vladimir Putin, invading places and creating hate toward the U.S. Thankfully, many judges have fought many of his unconstitutional acts.

I believe Trump is so angry that he got caught at wrongdoing that he just wants to burn the place and the White House down. It’s revenge — not smarts, not savvy advisors, just him. He does not anticipate anything in advance. I do not blame our NATO buddies for not wanting to put their people in harm’s way in Iran since they were never included in the discussion about bombing Iran in the first place. I am sure that our allies in the Persian Gulf are not pleased.

Frankly, he doesn’t understand that every action has a reaction.

His decline is ours

Brooklyn: Trump posted a picture of himself that has been widely condemned. In fact, his ally House Speaker Mike Johnson persuaded him to take it down. I can’t know what he intended it to mean except in his own words. Trump said it was him as a doctor because he has saved lives. He has no medical training, and it’s clearly his typical refusal to admit a mistake. Imagine what the outcry would be if Joe Biden had done something so despicable. It’s clear that Trump has lost control of reality. He also claimed that he’s the only president who ended a war. Probably half of his predecessors did. Abraham Lincoln, FDR and Gerald Ford, to name three. Trump is either too ignorant or mentally challenged — and dangerous — to continue as president. His decline is much more obvious than Biden’s was.

Howard Beach: He’s a doctor, huh? Those are some pretty cool scrubs. Gotta tell my doctor about them. Oh, wait, he’s Jewish.

Woodstock, N.Y.: Just wanted to add to the responses about Vice President Chipmunk Cheeks attempting to school the pope on Catholic theology! Not only does the assistant rear-kisser not qualify as a theologian, but he could apparently use a history lesson as well. America did not enter World War II and try to stop the Nazis until after we were attacked by Japan. JD needs to engage a real theologian to understand Jesus’s stance on violence of any kind. But it goes without saying that the pope not being a big enough bully to satisfy the emotionally stunted toddlers in the current administration is not only astonishingly childish but brazenly pathetic, since we as people should have grown away from the playground some time ago.

Bronx: As the words keep spilling out, more and more people get off his bandwagon. It appears that it is a slower process than we citizens would want, but time marches on. The tendency to dig your own hole is ironic, and history is a great teacher. Being your own worst enemy is some type of justice. Keep talking.

Western Springs, Ill.: Selective outrage: Two members of Congress resign after being accused of sexual attacks. One presidential candidate is elected after being found liable for a sexual attack.

Manhattan: Are those two New York’s Finest going to pay for all that liquor they destroyed (“Caught on camera,” April 16)? We all know Donald Chump won’t allow them to be fired, although they should have been fired on the spot.

Oak Ridge, N.J.: Re “Putting the ‘con’ in SantaCon” (April 16): Ehh, why do you think they call it SantaCon? Doesn’t matter to all the freakin’ idiots who dress up like Santa. It just gives ’em all a reason to act like the drunken fools they are.

Midland Park, N.J.: Daily News, can the type size get any smaller?

Brooklyn: I recommend to your readers to get a sound machine. You can buy one for about $25. It has different sounds to choose from to help you relax, study and sleep. It is a very good purchase that will provide a high return on investment. With the sound machine, you can feel that you are at the beach or listening to the rain.

They said so

Brooklyn: To Voicer Dan Arthur Pryor: While not all of the Founders were Deists, some prominent ones most certainly were, based on their public and private writings. Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Paine and Ethan Allen held clear Deistic views. Alexander Hamilton was religiously indifferent for his entire political career and appeared to hold views consistent with Deism during that period. George Washington refused to kneel or take communion in the Anglican Church and appeared to hold religious beliefs blending Deism and Unitarianism. John Adams, a Unitarian, considered Benjamin Franklin, whatever his public statements about religion, to have been an atheist, and Adams knew Franklin well.

East Meadow, L.I.: To Voicer Tom Scott: Unlike what you believe, “illegal aliens” absolutely do pay taxes to the IRS. Undocumented immigrants can apply for an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) from the IRS. According to a 2024 study by the Institute of Taxation and Economic Study, undocumented immigrants paid $96.7 billion in federal, state and local income, Social Security and Medicare taxes. From that they received no benefits whatsoever. Your rage should be directed at billionaires who pay no income taxes while their employees have to receive SNAP and Medicaid.

More give than take

Bronx: Voicer Tom Scott mistakenly whines, “Illegal aliens don’t pay taxes.” I understand that this is what the cult is told, but it’s woefully inaccurate. According to the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy, in 2022 undocumented workers paid almost $100 billion in local, state and federal taxes — including an estimated $26 billion into Social Security. While the precise amount may vary, the reality is that these people add billions to our tax base while receiving few benefits in return.

Providence, R.I.: Re “Nonprofits push gov, state pols to raise taxes on the rich” (April 13): Higher taxes on the rich / Should be set without a hitch / Get to work and make it speedy / Don’t indulge the rich and greedy!

Felicia Nimue Ackerman…Read more by Voice of the People