Tucson Speaks Out: Nov. 8 letters of the day

Stop the blame

Let's get real about why Harris lost — three overarching reasons: American voters, of all ilk 1) aren't willing to elect a woman president, 2) aren't willing to elect a woman of color, and 3) have fallen hook, line, and sinker for fear and hate mongering that started decades ago and increased exponentially over the past decade. It disgusts me to see "progressives" like Sanders and pundits rushing to blame an incredibly talented candidate who ran as good as a campaign as we've seen in modern history. Too many American voters are so aligned with their "gang," and are inundated with a constant barrage of misinformation and appeals to their fears, that it is almost impossible for them to not succumb to our baser side of human nature. So, stop blaming Harris and her team, and recognize there is a darker more insidious cultural and social upheaval that has taken place, and will take generations to undo.

Sonja Stupel

North side

Another day of infamy

It's hard to explain, let alone understand what happened on November 5th, 2024, but it surely will be remembered as a day of infamy (to quote Franklin Roosevelt), almost as horrendous as December 7, 1941, September 11, 2001, and January 6, 2021. The main difference among them is that the last two were self-inflicted wounds that have the potential to be far longer lasting in their disastrous effects than the first two. After all, shattered mortar can be rebuilt as good as new relatively quickly, whereas the damaging emotional and practical effects of the Trump catastrophes will likely be felt for generations, not only here, but worldwide as we alienate our (former) allies. Where were all those who enthusiastically cheered Harris' candidacy, but didn't vote on November 5th? Perhaps Trump will declare January 6 a national holiday. Who knows?

Jack Graef

Trump voters get what they voted for

Good job, Trump voters! A political dolt who is easily manipulated by other world leaders will now be serving as our President. Again.

But you don't care about that. No, you were concerned about our economy — that has never been better and is the envy of the entire world. You voted for Trump's policies, which will weaken the economy.

And that's not all! Look at all you voted for:

- Retail prices increasing 20% due to Trump's tariffs.

- Tax cuts for billionaires.

- Higher taxes for everyone else.

- Millions of Americans thrown off healthcare.

- Cuts to Social Security and Medicare.

- Loss of human and civil rights.

- 50 more years of ultra-conservatives on the Supreme Court.

- The destruction of democracy.

- And so much more!

He just might make himself President for life, too. But at least you didn't vote for a Black-Asian-American woman who was supremely qualified to be president and had policies that would have made life better for millions of Americans like you.

Steve Godwin

The American presidency

We have just elected a convicted felon, misogynist, with racist tendencies, and unrepentant liar as president of these here United States. The good news for all you moms and dads out there is that character no longer matters. Your sons (not your daughters) can be felons, abuse women, be inveterate liars, hold racist sentiments and still can now ascend to the power of the Presidency! Congratulate yourself America, that glass ceiling is now broken!

Frank J. Perez

Trump is what we deserve

So, a good, hard-working, intelligent woman, albeit a little short in resume, is defeated by a convicted felon, habitual liar, blustery airhead. I hate to say it but perhaps he is precisely what we deserve.

Philip Reinecker

East side

What did Democrats do wrong?

The GOP, with the help of Russia and oligarchs, subsidized mirage issues like abortions after birth, forced transitioning of children, and border issues they created. Republicans have stolen Supreme Court seats, invented powers for a President never conceived by our founders, and dazzled media they could not buy with a torrent of lies.

With pundits no more willing to face what they have become than are the remnants of the Republican Party, they've made the 4th Estate complicit. Others may swallow whole these lies. But the Democratic Party, however humbled or maligned, will hold to the ideals of our Nation.

Americans will suffer the depredations of the Liar Class, of whom Trump is truly their king. I will not yield to the worldview of exploitation and malignity — nor will I apologize for having championed the most vulnerable no matter how shamelessly they and I are slurred and misrepresented. I will answer to history, and they may answer to God.

Eric Robbins

Chair, Pima County Democratic Party

South Tucson

The autopsy

For those shocked at the election results, here are the facts.

Kamala Harris, a do-nothing Vice President, was made the Democratic candidate after a palace coup without a single Democratic Party member vote. She said she would not do one thing differently than Biden. She was incapable of formulating one coherent policy she would pursue if President. She was the consummate flip-flopper, supporting each side of every issue. She was the classic word butcherer, leaving many to say "huh" after her speeches. She has labeled 50 percent of the population as Nazi supporters, garbage, and now according to today's editorials, stupid. Unfortunately, the elite, liberal Democrats, blinded by Trump Derangement Syndrome, failed to recognize that the policies of the last four years damaged and enraged much of the voting public. Common sense would dictate that the border, inflation, crime, men in women's sports were extremely important issues and that the mainstream citizen has had enough of this nonsense. Honestly, what did you expect?

Loyal M Johnson Jr

Oro Valley

I weep

I have voted in 15 presidential elections, but I have never cried before this one. I weep for all those experiencing the disastrous effect of climate change — the excessive heat, more violent hurricanes and tornadoes, wildfires. I weep for our pristine public lands that will be opened up to mining and drilling. I weep for all the people who will not be allowed to read wonderful books because the books offend someone's sensibilities. I weep for all the children who will get only a mediocre education. I weep because now lying is ok, bigotry is ok, bullying is ok, name-calling is ok, threatening is ok, profanity is ok. I weep because character no longer matters.

And for what? The price of eggs and an immigration problem that will never be solved until people feel safe in their home countries and will not have to go elsewhere to seek a better life for their children. We are so short-sighted. I weep.

Dottie Fagg

Northeast side

You win, Donald

First, congratulations for accepting the results of this free and fair election. Just like the one in 2020 and 2016.

Congratulations on choosing a message that resonated with so many of the American people: Hate for your neighbors, fear of brown and black people, misogyny, and a lack of common decency. Did I miss anything?

The American people wanted you because at the root of us is a people that is uninformed about the world and our place in it, a people fearful of genders that don't conform, a people that can't and won't accept our terribly racist past, and a people that hides behind their Christian mask and mocks Jesus with their hate.

Congratulations Donald! You discovered the soul of our nation and won, and you are about to take us to a horrible, well-deserved place.

Dennis Rivera

Trump and immigration

In 2016 Trump's signature promise to build a barrier along the southwest border of the U.S. (and have it paid for by Mexico) propelled him to victory. The centerpiece of his bid for reelection this year (2024) was a promise to implement the largest deportation effort in American history. Now that he has won the election, it appears that the strategy worked. I have not heard who he plans to have pay for this deportation effort. Does anybody know?

Alan Roehl

What have we come to?

I volunteer at a local place that serves the homeless. Many of my fellow volunteers are Hispanic. Now that the jack-booted thug has been elected due to the majority of Americans who have lost their minds, I worry that my fellow volunteers will be targeted for deportation regardless of their legal status. For those who say, "It can never happen here," those words echo what happened when Hitler ascended to power. There will be no "adults in the room" this time as he will surround himself with only those loyal to him and his word. I am heartsick over what Americans have turned into.

Jean Getek

Post-election priorities

Now that the presidential election is over perhaps there could be some discussion about matters which didn't warrant the candidates attention. You know, lesser matters like an unsustainable deficit, Social Security bankruptcy, climate change, and Ukraine.

Bill Durbin

Apt H.L. Mencken Quote

One of H.L. Mencken's (1880-1956) most famous quotes seems quite apt today:

"As democracy is perfected, the office of president represents, more and more closely, the inner soul of the people. On some great and glorious day the plain folks of the land will reach their heart's desire at last and the White House will be adorned by a downright moron."

Eric Weiss

Northwest side