Letters to the Editor: White House’s cavalier extravagance is a bad look as everyday Americans struggle

To the editor: The disturbing image of falling debris as the East Wing of the White House is becoming a pile of rubble is a clear warning to heed (“The White House starts demolishing part of the East Wing to build Trump’s ballroom,” Oct. 22). What’s the reason for this demolition? An over-sized, unnecessary, ostentatious ballroom.

It’s reminiscent of the myth of Nero fiddling while Rome burns. Americans are already struggling everyday to survive. This abhorrent display and the disregard by this administration’s out-of-touch, don’t-care, cavalier attitude has not-so-startling symbolism in the systematic drumbeat of the dismantling of our fading democracy.

This administration has an apparent mission to destroy what is revered and solemn in three short but very important words: “We the people.” It’s not “the people be damned, I want what I want at any cost.” The sad demise of the historic East Wing and the country’s actual survival are one and the same to them: Just tear it down.

That is the ugly truth we must all face. We have to decide what kind of country we ultimately want to live in: one of utter disdain and hatred for some, constant dismay and chaos for too many, or a better alternative for all people to live free, without the constant fear of an autocracy-in-the-making that we are witnessing in real time?

Frances Terrell Lippman, Sherman Oaks

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To the editor: I attended a “No Kings” rally and, upon rethinking the most recent and egregious events in the Trump administration, I believe the protests were inappropriately named.

Just look at the construction of the White House ballroom, the D.C. military parade, gold accents on just about everything in the Oval Office that’s not alive, a planned 80th birthday bash complete with UFC fights (where are the lions?), prosecution and persecution of political enemies and a possible attempt to collect $230 million from public coffers over President Trump’s own hurt feelings, all while he takes credit for everything and blame for nothing.

This all leads me to believe I should have been attending a “No Emperors” rally. Does Caligula ring a bell?

Marshall Barth, Encino

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To the editor: Trump is destroying the People’s House just as he is destroying the people’s democracy (“Trump demolishes White House East Wing despite promising to protect it,” Oct. 22). He dropped feces on the American people in an AI-generated video he seems exceptionally proud of and that his sycophants in the Republican Party write off as humor. It is not funny.

“America First”? Yeah, right after Trump gets his. And no one tells him “no.”

I want my country back, and I will protest for as long as it takes to protect democracy and the rule of law.

Sheila Winston, West Hills

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To the editor: My thanks to the Los Angeles Times and to columnist Jackie Calmes for this tasteful Opinion piece (“Trump is in his Louis XIV era, and it’s not a good look,” Oct. 23).

The fact that I may have to spend the next few of my later years with a convicted felon in the presidency would be bad enough, but to do it knowing that the remnants of a free press could ignore, during this time of what may be our waning democracy, the disgust some of us feel at having a wannabe despot as our international embarrassment would be too much.

The Constitution and nature assure us of his power’s end, fortunately. The kitsch his actions leave behind can be cleaned up and the White House restored. I hope that I live to see it, and may the people remain sovereign.

Ronald Webster, Long Beach

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To the editor: The government is shut down and the Senate Republicans are having a luncheon on the concrete slab that was once the Rose Garden at the White House (“Trump hosts Senate Republicans at renovated White House as the shutdown drags into fourth week,” Oct. 21).

While the GOP senators are dining on burgers, fries and chocolates, government services that serve needy families are scrambling for federal funds and thousands of federal workers are without paychecks. While the senators relax and listen to songs like “YMCA,” people with families, mortgages, healthcare costs, car payments and utility bills — essentially their employees — aren’t being paid.

Those without paychecks aren’t all Democrats or Republicans. They are simply hard-working Americans, with most of them being the very people who keep the government running. People who rely on their representatives to ensure that their government will look out for them and protect their needs and best interests.

And yet, these respected senators, who are not without paychecks, are partying at a luncheon under sweet yellow umbrellas instead of burning the midnight oil to get the government up and running again. What elaborate hubris. Shame on all of them.

Betsy-Ann Toffler, Studio City