Why is Harry Truman beloved for being blunt while Donald Trump is criticized for it?

On Trump, Truman

Some harp on President Donald Trump’s outspoken and blunt personality, but I would remind you that the same things were said about a past Democratic president — Harry Truman. Yet today Truman is viewed as one of America’s iconic and great presidents, and I believe history will place President Trump on the same level.

The fact is that Trump is simply the Republican Party’s version of Harry Truman, and I will be pleased to vote for his re-election.

Daniel House, West Columbia

On letter writers

I’m sure I’m not the only South Carolinian who becomes disgusted while reading the rude comments that are frequently made by letter writers on The State’s Opinion page.

I don’t care what your political affiliation is, and I don’t care whether you’re a Republican or Democrat. But I do think that it’s ridiculous and unnecessary for letter writers to display so much venom toward other writers for simply expressing views that they don’t like. You can agree or disagree, but I don’t think it’s necessary to be so rude to other people.

I’m ashamed to read some of the comments that are being written by my fellow South Carolinians. What would visitors to our state think? Just tone it down some.

Sharon Dunn, Columbia

On COVID-19

Here are several questions should be published above the fold on Page One of every newspaper’s print edition — and also prominently displayed on every media outlet’s website:

▪ If I believe I’m sick from COVID-19, where exactly do I go to get tested?

▪ If I’m uninsured and can’t afford to pay for the test, can I get tested at no cost?

▪ Can I get my test result in a day (or less)? 4. If I test positive, where can I go to quarantine away from others?

▪ If I can’t afford to pay for quarantine care, will it be provided at no cost?

▪ While I’m quarantined, will I be able to get food and medical care?

▪ Where can I get a reliable antibodies test to see whether I may be protected from COVID-19?

These questions must be asked in point-blank fashion to local, state and national officials every single day. And if these officials don’t answers these questions, they should be identified and held accountable every single day.

Why?

Because these are the questions that both I and my friends and neighbors want answered every single day. And if we don’t get answers to these questions, it will make no difference whether Gov. Henry McMaster proclaims that South Carolina is “open for business” — because it will be a pointless and erroneous proclamation.

Even worse we may find ourselves back in the same dilemma we were in mid-March: there will be a surge in sickness and death — and the “stay at home” policies we previously put in place will have been a complete waste of time and money.

David Proffitt, Columbia

Proffitt is a Columbia attorney.

On clean energy

As I continue to process the public health crisis we are facing, I wonder why our nation and our state have not stood up to the fossil fuel industry with a similar sense of urgency.

Of course, the coronavirus pandemic is tragic and requires our attention; however, we have more than one crisis on our hands. At a time when folks are worried about financial security and providing for themselves and their families, moving South Carolina toward clean energy would create good jobs for South Carolinians that would also pay well.

In order to protect our planet, public health and economic stability, I urge our state’s decision makers to commit Santee Cooper to 100% clean energy by 2050.

Julie Johnson, West Columbia

On taxpayers

If you compare America’s national debt to our current funding capabilities, the reality is that we as a nation are broke.

Now our politicians are spending our tax dollars on businesses — some of which are just not viable and others that are effectively bankrupt. In addition to that our politicians are also giving money to businesses that just want free money despite having enough in fund reserves to survive.

This money is our money, and it should be used for us.

Marie Vevik, Cayce