You’re lying to yourself if you don’t think Trump wants to be a dictator | Opinion
Those who don’t believe Donald Trump wants to turn America into a dictatorship are burying their heads in the sand. His comment “I run the country and the world” is beyond an egotistical rant and shows his aspirations. He is alienating our allies, causing mistrust of government and the tariffs are causing rifts here and globally. Prices are increasing every day, and it’s going to get worse. Disharmony is rampant.
Plans to make severe cuts to Social Security and Medicaid are alarming. If people don’t receive Social Security, homelessness will increase, families will go hungry and businesses will suffer. The thousands that have already been fired are causing our unemployment to soar. Dismantling the Dept. of Education is disconcerting as they provide 92.2% of student loans. Students will be deprived higher education. Trump is expelling thousands of immigrants.
This is not the country our ancestors fought for. It will continue to deteriorate under Trump. Our freedoms are in jeopardy.
Nedra Mills, Holly Springs
Approval
Doing what’s right isn’t always popular. America needed to get immigration under control, root out government waste, end antisemitism and keep boys out of girls’ sports. Zero presidents have had the guts to tackle those and other major issues. When we elected Donald Trump, we told him to go fix those problems. So, if his polls slide, who cares? This isn’t a popularity contest.
Lee Hortman, Raleigh
State Constitution
Most of Andrew Dunn’s Apr. 28 piece on a needing a new state Constitution is about the confusion regarding Article III, the powers of the governor. Fair enough, amend that article. But Dunn is calling for a new Constitution so that other issues can be spelled out: “standards for elections, education and redistricting.”
He describes the process: “Once the new constitution is drafted, three-fifths of the state House and Senate must vote to approve it. Then it goes to a statewide vote, where only a majority is required to adopt it.” Sounds like a dream of an opportunity for General Assembly Republicans to enshrine themselves in power for all of time.
Robert Harrison, Durham
Nature
House Bill 345 was recently introduced in the N.C. General Assembly by Rep. Pricey Harrison to recognize the rights of nature. This bill follows in the footsteps of a similar one last year that aimed to recognize the rights of the Haw River. Rights of nature laws are an opportunity to help ensure that our environmental surroundings are protected from exploitation and to usher in a new era of environmental stewardship.
As of 2024, almost 500 laws exist across the world offering this form of protection. It’s time for North Carolina to be next on the list. Raleigh residents are blessed with an extensive network of parks, nature preserves, lakes and more. Our City of Oaks deserves to have a thriving and abundant ecosystem with safety measures in place to prevent misuse. Contacting our representatives to encourage them to sign on to this bill is our best tactic in helping it move forward!
Tia Hunt, Raleigh
Animal act
As an owner of two dogs and two cats, I am so glad that Goldie’s Act (H.R. 349), a bill to help prevent dogs from suffering, was reintroduced in the U.S. House. Goldie’s Act would protect hundreds of thousands of animals in U.S. Department of Agriculture-licensed facilities, including those in commercial dog breeding facilities, also known as puppy mills. The USDA has failed to address or document animal abuse in these facilities, which has led to preventable suffering and death.
Goldie’s Act is needed to make sure taxpayer money is used as intended — to ensure humane care of animals in federally licensed facilities. Goldie’s Act is named for “Golden Retriever #142,” who suffered and died in a commercial dog breeding facility in Iowa. The USDA noted her deteriorating condition over the course of several months but failed to take action regarding this Animal Welfare Act violation or inform local law enforcement.
Goldie’s Act will prevent other animals from meeting a tragic fate. As a constituent, I hope Rep. Valerie Foushee will help advance this lifesaving bill.
Shannon Murphy, Cary
This story was originally published May 4, 2025 at 5:00 AM with the headline "You’re lying to yourself if you don’t think Trump wants to be a dictator | Opinion."