Bernard Monbouquette: President’s deliberate, constant rejection of Golden Rule

To The Daily Sun,

In a recent book written by Chris Matthews, he observed that in 1963, television opened viewers’ eyes to see the reality of racial discrimination in Birmingham, Alabama. In response, President John F. Kennedy was moved to address the country in a television broadcast. He told Americans that white America’s tolerance of racial discrimination was a moral crisis. He urged the citizens and the Congress to do something to stop it. His words were about basic human decency, how each of us would like to be treated themselves ... the Golden Rule.

The current president, and the Republican Party that he controls, have demonstrated a deliberate rejection not only of the Golden Rule but also the Constitution. Thus America now has a new moral crisis that calls for a strong response from people who are repulsed by the cruelty caused by the enforcement of this administration’s policies. The cruelty affects all of us regardless of political affiliation.

Threatening the loss of SNAP benefits and subsidies for affordable health insurance premiums for the needy in order to provide tax relief for the wealthy, both done right before the holidays, is cruel. Sending the members of Congress home without taking a vote to extend the health premium subsidy is cruel. For them to simultaneously pledge money to rescue the economy of Argentina, build a ballroom for the White House, and remodel the Kennedy Center is indicative of where their interests lie, and adds insult to the injury caused to needy Americans.

This moral crisis should not be tolerated any longer by normal Americans who believe in our Constitution and follow the Golden Rule.

Bernard Monbouquette

Moultonborough