Pardon undermines the justice system
President Joe Biden’s pardon for his son will cast a long shadow over the criminal justice system and further erode the average American’s trust in how justice is dispensed in this country. Overzealous policing, sharp disparities in sentencing and the recent Supreme Court ruling the president is essentially above the law have all contributed to people questioning the concept that we are all equal in the eyes of the law.
Biden’s impulse to protect his son is understandable, but acting on it, particularly given that he is in a position of public trust and publicly stating several times he would not do so, reinforces the belief held by many that if you’re rich enough or have the right friends and connections, you can commit crimes without fear of answering for it. Rather than trying to shore up peoples’ confidence in our legal system, Biden’s actions are a huge step in the other direction, tarnishing his reputation and the office he holds.
MARK P. HUNTER, ATLANTA
Watching to see if GOP-controlled government will succeed
Many voters have some reservations about our country soon being under the firm control of the Republican-controlled House, Senate and presidency. But, for me, it’s kind of an ideal situation.
First, if the newly formed government of Republicans is very successful, we all win. Secondly, if it fails and falls flat, then all non-Republican voters can laugh and say told you so. It’s a win-win situation.
Hopefully, we can all make it through the next four years without major catastrophes and see America move forward in a productive manner. Time will tell.
D.C. VARN, ATLANTA
Both parties have a history of obstruction
It is easy for some Republicans to complain about obstruction from Democrats, while forgetting about obstruction from their own party. When President Barack Obama was elected, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., stated he would do everything in his power to make him a one-term president. He then proceeded to follow through with his promise. He held a Supreme Court seat open for a year to prevent Obama from naming a replacement and then rammed through a replacement in record time before Trump’s term ended.
Both parties obstruct the sitting president’s agenda instead of working together to address the needs of the American people. There are obstructionists in both parties who need to be voted out of office so the country can heal and move forward.
BRYON D. WILLIAMS SR., JONESBORO
Destroying political ‘enemies’ is now the norm
“Normal” Americans must get over delusions of fairness and rationality. The rules have changed since Nov. 5. There are no more rules, no more boundaries and no depths to which the incoming army of vigilantes will not sink to wreak vengeance on their “enemies.” Their stated goals are the total destruction of the American justice system along with the rest of the American government — the envy of the world for 250 years.
The media hysteria over President Joe Biden’s “audacity” to pardon his son is the latest example of this delusion of normality. Any caring father, knowing the excesses of the Republican lynch mob, would have done the same. Those who cherish our privilege of living in a country “with liberty and justice for all” must resist the coming forces of darkness by every means available for the sake of future generations, here and in the rest of the world!
J.R. THOMSON, MARIETTA
