The change we seek requires collective effort

New Rochelle, N.Y.: We seem to have difficulty defining or describing who we are or what we represent as a constitutional republic. It seems to me that Congress fears that an invasion of the Capitol Building isn’t just a memory, and voters are just a voice in the past who learned a hard lesson.

I’m a typical senior citizen of this republic who fondly remembers how things ought to be, when Congress counted and would actively seek ways to ensure that its electorate’s voices were heard. I can almost hear the voice of Abraham Lincoln when the preservation of the Union and the resultant freedom of great Americans-to-be made him our greatest leader.

What about today? Perhaps the air we breathe is tainted with an atmosphere weary from a lack of sustenance, or we’ve abandoned our holy duty to replenish the Earth and atmosphere. Yet, two valuable American leaders, Chief Justice John Roberts and Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, have seen the issues we face and have held on, and there’s little chance of sending either to a Central American prison or Florida swamp campsite. The rest is up to the vox populi. Be an American citizen in thought and word, and most importantly, with heart, soul and spirit. The late Pope Francis advised us not to judge, so let’s change what we can and prepare our young people to honor our Constitution. That could work. Warren D. Gross

Can’t fill those shoes

Howard Beach: “If the shoe fits, wear it” is an old saying. In the case of Marco Rubio, who received shoes from President Trump that were too big, then actually wore them in public to please him, it shows more about what the wearer is made of than the shoes: cowardice. Ernest Kienzle

Valley Stream, L.I.: I had to shake my head yet again regarding comments from our transparent president. That he’ll stop the attacks on Iran “when I feel it in my bones” makes me wonder if it’ll be his bone spurs sending him the sensation. He goes on to say that oil tankers navigating the Strait of Hormuz “should show some guts, and there is nothing to be afraid of.” Where were his guts when the U.S. came calling for him to serve his country? How many deferments did his daddy get for him? He seems to think the tanker crews don’t have families. Meanwhile, Captain Queeg’s war is illegal. He runs around like a child who loves to break everything in his path, ranting and raving. Now we’re paying the price at gas pumps, grocery stores and anything else that’s delivered through our transportation system. Vince Sgroi

Brooklyn: Clearly, the Iranian regime has been a danger to world peace since 1979. They have sponsored terrorism, and clearly, the U.S. and Israel have been its main targets. I’m happy that the leader and some of his most important cohorts have been eliminated. However, the new leader is just as dangerous, maybe more so. It’s apparent that Iran was prepared for the loss of its leaders. This is a real danger for America. History has shown that children of martyred leaders have become more dangerous than their parents. They will never give up, even years after the war ends. Alan Podhaizer

Fairfield, Conn.: To Voicer Dan Arthur Pryor: In justification of Trump starting this war, you state that Iran and the “axis of evil” has already attacked us with state-sponsored terrorism and chants of “Death to America.” I’m not sure that these are good enough reasons to attack a country without congressional approval. You close with, “Trump is patriotic for getting them before they get us.” Mr. Pryor, I suggest that you research the Iran nuclear deal. You’ll see why Iran acted the way it did due to Trump’s actions during his first term. Diplomacy is a wonderful thing. War should always be a last resort, especially when putting the lives of American servicemen and women in harm’s way. Stephen Johnson

Ottawa, Ontario: It is fair to say that Russia should take full responsibility for rebuilding Ukraine, and the U.S. and Israel should do the same with Iran. I’m certain that Iran will not accept any help from either of them, but they should rebuild Lebanon since that country was drawn into it. Chances are good that Lebanon will accept. It’s fair, in my opinion. Anant Nagpur

Somerset, N.J.: I’m reading that some conservative influencers think Trump has betrayed them. Hey dummies, you didn’t do your homework. Trump has broken promises and betrayed allies his entire life. I still remember his promises to rebuild Atlantic City. He got his casino, made a ton of money, declared bankruptcy and walked away, leaving the city in worse shape than before. We’ll get the same outcome from his promises to rebuild America. Morris D. Fried

Staten Island: To Voicer Barbara Casano: You advise us to remember that Barack Obama blamed George W. Bush for eight years. I agree, but he had so much reason to do so. Every Repulsive — er, sorry, Republican — president leaves the economy in a shambles and the rich that much richer. Then the Democratic president has to clean up the mess he inherits. I feel sorry for the Democrat who will inherit the current circus. Victor R. Stanwick

Symbolic spring cleaning

Bronx: When I cleaned house this week, I said to myself: This vacuum will suck up the hated corruption in Congress and the super-high prices of food and gasoline. As I squeezed dirty water from the mop, I thought: There goes the venom, name-calling, blaming and deflection from the Epstein misdeeds from Trump and his MAGA crowd. Cleaning the bird droppings in the front, I pretended the filth pertained to the anti-citizen decisions of the super-conservative Supreme Court. As I removed the wilted flowers from the dining room vase, I said: Out with you, gun lobby support. Sweeping the street in front and throwing the dirt into the garbage, I pretended it was the contempt for international agreements and the UN by the big-headed, yellow destroyer in the White House. Not satisfying, but that’s the only way I can cope with life under Trump and his Republican bootlickers. Rose Mary Lancaster

Deepfake disinformation

Long Beach, L.I.: Politicians need to pass a law whereby all AI videos are clearly labeled in large writing, under penalty of law. These videos mislead the public and can defame individuals or groups. When many videos aren’t AI, guilty people often state that images of abuse or severe wrongdoing are AI. The confusion must end. The last thing we need in these chaotic times is more conspiracy theories. Dana Fuchs

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