Loyal to America, but is America loyal to me?
Growing up, I was taught to pledge allegiance to the United States of America. I have done so willingly as our country provided fundamental protections and peace of mind. Knowing we were democratic, largely safe, had relatively clean water and air, mostly protected from diseases, and access to safe food proved a wonderful trade-off for my allegiance. Now, the federal government has taken a sledgehammer to many institutions set up to secure these fundamental protections.
So, after pledging allegiance to my country, it is time to ask; Is my country pledging allegiance to me?
DEAN KRUGMAN, ATHENS
President good at ‘smoke and mirror’ policies
President Trump showed us in his address to Congress and the American people how good he is with smoke and mirrors. This address was not a state-of-the-union address but his vision of where he wants to take this country.
His mirrors look like good stuff (lower taxes, cheaper energy, no regulations to slow things down, lower prices, etc.). However, hiding in the smoke behind the mirrors are higher prices, higher inflation, rape of the environment, more pollution, lower quality of life, destruction of basic freedoms, massive layoffs, takeover of the federal government, alienation of the free world and encouragement to our enemies.
Tariffs mean higher prices for the American people. Environmental regulations are necessary to have clean air, water and environment for a healthy lifestyle.
He orders that there are only males and females, but that is not the reality. America was founded on freedom. We don’t need an oppressive dictator to take any away.
DAVID PITTS, ATLANTA
Ga. senators should be ashamed of voting against bill
Both of our Democratic senators representing the Georgia people voted against a bill to prohibit men from competing in women’s sports. Shameful. Remember them when their reelection time comes. Both have voted 100% with Democratic positions, whether Georgian citizens agree or not.
ROBERT STOCKDALE, CUMMING
Trade war with Canada hurts us all
Why Canada? Why would our President launch an unprovoked trade war against our greatest allies? Canadians have stood shoulder-to-shoulder with us during world wars, the Gulf War, and the war against terrorism.
Consumer and energy prices will rise. Canada will be forced to impose retaliatory tariffs, harming U.S. businesses and their employees. And the chaos will depress stock prices. Economists tell us that everyone loses in a trade war.
This is all part of Trump’s plan to try to offset the massive deficits that will be caused by giving even more tax cuts to the wealthy.
It gets even more bizarre. The great negotiator is pursuing his fantasy of convincing Canadians to become Americans while simultaneously making them despise him and his administration.
DON HACKNEY, ATLANTA
Green Amendments would help environment
The taking down of federal agencies that protect the environment we depend on should be counterbalanced by Green Amendments at the state level.
Green Amendments are self-executing provisions added to the bill of rights section of a state’s constitution that recognize and protect the rights of all people, including future generations, regardless of race, ethnicity, tribal membership status, socioeconomics or geography, to pure water, clean air, a stable climate, and healthy environments. Three states have already added a Green Amendment to their constitutions: Montana, New York and Pennsylvania, and 19 more are in the process, including Tennessee and Kentucky.
Others and I started the Green Amendment conversation in Georgia in earnest as of Jan. 17, 2025. We here in Georgia are crafting Green Amendment language and are planning a meeting sometime in the May-June time frame to introduce the concept of Green Amendments to a wider audience.
DAVID KEYS, WOODSTOCK
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