Copyright The Boston Globe
Can the first lady offer any words of comfort? President Trump is about nine months into his second term. During that time, the first lady has been very much in the background, only occasionally appearing alongside the president, typically in inscrutable silence. It is almost as if the country is bereft of a visible first lady. Given numerous Americans’ economic anxiety and present financial hardship, however temporary (hopefully), as a result of the government shutdown and the potential for drastic and cost-prohibitive health insurance premium increases if subsidies are not soon reinstated, a reasonable question comes to mind: Does Melania Trump have any inclination to offer comforting words in her nonpartisan capacity as first lady, irrespective of her husband’s policy objectives, to those Americans, mothers especially, who are at serious risk of going without food, including for their children, and medical care in the event the shutdown persists beyond the breaking point of their tenuous financial means? Mark Godes Advertisement Chelsea GOP is unlikely to give an inch to the Democrats Mark Hannah’s Oct. 24 op-ed, “Why Trump was successful on Gaza but fails against domestic opponents,” contrasting President Trump’s “brokering” of the Gaza cease-fire with his inability to settle the GOP-Democratic budget impasse, misses a significant point: You can only build a bridge if both sides want to build that bridge. The Democrats are more than willing to work toward a compromise over the budget. It’s the Republicans who are basically saying, “My way or the highway,” as they have been for years. What Democrats are seeking for the American people — to extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits — is not unlike what the Republicans gave to businesses and the 1 percenters in passing huge tax breaks for the wealthy. Advertisement The Democrats have no reason to believe that if they agree to the current budget bill, the Republicans will sit down with them afterward to negotiate the rest. Recent congressional history says otherwise. The Republicans don’t want negotiation — they want capitulation. Gordon Schnaper Tewksbury Why voters do not trust the Democratic Party The Democratic Party silences internal dissent and ignores voters. On social issues such as trans rights, equality, and immigration — issues that deserve thoughtful, nuanced policy — it insists its approach is the only correct one. Democratic leadership knows many Americans disagree, yet they refuse genuine discussion. They focus on economic crises to mask that they will not yield on their social agenda. They count on enough voters opposing what the current administration is doing to either settle for the party’s approach or fail to notice. By ignoring, dismissing, and condemning the public, Democratic elites drive voter apathy. They hear only what confirms their own beliefs, blinded by moral righteousness. As this moral certainty hardens into moral autocracy, the country lurches toward authoritarianism that is designed to enrich the very few, with no party capable of stopping it. P.I. Miller Franklin Let’s check the scorecard The “SHUTDOWN DAY 26” graphic on Sunday’s front page reminded me of a scorecard. Why not allot even more precious space to Trump-era scorekeeping? You could choose a few new ones daily from a very long list. Here are a few suggestions: TRUMP 2.0 300,000 Estimated reduction in number of federal employees by year’s end 15 million US citizens who could lose health coverage 10,000+ New ICE employees sought 1,600+ Convicted felons pardoned 227+ Active court cases challenging Trump administration actions Advertisement 2.7 percent Increase in cost of groceries year over year 40+ million People who could lose SNAP benefits Nov. 1 $20 billion Given to Argentina $1.8 billion Value of cash and gifts to Trump family since 2024 election Catherine Hunter Boxborough
