Trump, GOP cannot be trusted

To the editor:

On Dec. 7, J.R. wrote a very timely editorial about the gigantic land grab proposed by King Donald 1st.

J.R. does his usual fine job of presenting all the pertinent facts and a little bit of history, citing one of my favorite presidents, Teddy Roosevelt, and his backing of the Antiquities Act.

J.R. points out that this Act will prevent any such takeover of federal lands, and any attempt by Donald Trump to do so will be stymied by our federal courts.

I’m sorry, J.R., but I think for the first time that you are wrong. I am hoping against hope that I’m wrong. The reason for my pessimism is two-fold.

Reason one: Money. There is just way too much money involved for someone of Trump’s ilk not to try to pocket some for his own use. Here I’m going out on a short branch and predict Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Orrin Hatch, Republican from Utah, is complicit in this grab of some of the most beautiful real estate in the United States.

You remember Hatch!

He’s the one who said Trump was one of the seven best presidents he’s ever served under. I say, hogwash!

There have never been seven presidents worse that the Donald. Now back to the issue at hand — money.

If the Donald is going to make a grab of lands in Utah, it stands to reason that Hatch’s thoughts are, “It’s Utah, my state, and I am taking my share.” (If Donald will bless me.)

Reason two: “Will he be held accountable?” That’s the title of another timely editorial by Francis Wilkinson of the Bloomberg View.

In his story, Mr. Wilkinson cites at least half a dozen examples of why Trump has a free hand to do practically anything without worrying about any reprisal from his party.

The Rule of Law means nothing with a complicit Congress determined to see or hear no evil.

I would urge anyone with enough patience to read this, to obtain a copy of the Dec. 7 Commercial Review to read for themselves Mr. Wilkinson’s story

Better yet, call J.R. and ask for a reprint. It’s ultra-informative.

I can still faintly remember once upon a time the Republican Party was a great party. Once upon a time the Republican Party was an honorable party.

Once upon a time the Republican Party was a grand old party. Now those times seem like a fairy tale.

I’m sorry to say that now the Republican Party is a group of toadies and yes-men whose collective spines turn to Jello at the mention of the N.R.A. A group who lack the intestinal fortitude or moral fiber to do what they think is right rather than blindly following party policy, a group who would like nothing better than to replace the Bald Eagle, our national symbol, with the golden calf. The calf’s name will be: $.

Larry Chittum

Portland