Trump made sacrifices for the nation’s good

In response to the question posed in a recent letter to the editor, I can think of a few things that former President Donald Trump has done for the good of the country that may have been personally painful (“Biden did what Trump never would,” July 22).

First, he left his comfortable retirement and ran for president of the United States. Second, he gave up any government-funded salary, donating those funds to charity. Third, he put his own family at risk. Have you heard of the person who is going after his youngest son, Baron Trump, relentlessly?

Fourth, he has made political and personal friends of world leaders. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed Congress at the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday. President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris had other plans, thank you.

Fifth, has any other American been welcomed into North Korea by that country’s leader? Sixth, was your wallet better off under President Trump? I can’t go to the grocery store without spending hundreds of dollars.

I am 81. My husband is 84. We are empty nesters. We have only Social Security. Whenever I go to the store, I say “Come on, President Trump!” Now, I would ask the letter writer to answer his own question: What actions has President Trump taken that make him a world leader, besides, of course, no wars during his time in office?

— Dolores Orlando, Timonium

Light rail didn’t fail city, but bus system sure did

Letter writer Harvey Schwartz who wants to “mothball” the light rail must have been asleep for the last decade (“Light rail has been proved a poor investment,” July 21). He calls for more bus routes in lieu of expanding or even continuing to operate the light rail.

Seven years ago, Gov. Larry Hogan threw a lot of money and fanfare at the Baltimore Link retread of the Baltimore bus system which was a total failure. Unlike any contemplated light rail extension, we know for sure now that the bus system revamping was ephemeral.

The last time the light rail’s sole line was extended around 1997, it experienced a 35% increase in ridership. An east-west light rail is long overdue and would create opportunities for people like me to live well without cars.

The reason Baltimore has had less than an optimal experience with its light rail is that it is the only light rail system that has gone a quarter of a century without any expansion.

It is also clear that the Hogan administration did not put the money into maintaining it, so earlier this year, Gov. Wes Moore was forced to close the whole system down because of safety concerns.

In comparison, the Baltimore Link was funded quite extravagantly and still failed the people of Baltimore.

Of course, we have to spend $2 billion first to rebuild the Francis Scott Key Bridge to accommodate 30,000 daily commuting vehicles.

— Paul R. Schlitz Jr., Baltimore

Follow Biden’s example and put country first

In my opinion, President Joe Biden will go down in history as one of the greatest presidents of the United States. He is a leader who consistently puts country and democracy first and foremost as an elected public servant.

He simply “ain’t no ordinary Joe,” yet he is humble enough to believe that he is just “an ordinary Joe.”

If more politicians at all levels of government thought like President Biden in an unselfish manner, we would have a “more perfect union” (“Dan Rodricks: Biden’s selflessness rare in politics, but here are some Maryland examples,” July 23).

Ego, pride, greed, quest for money, power, fame and ambition have clouded the minds of far too many politicians all across our great nation who were elected to serve the people and not the other way around — like a certain autocrat who wants all others to serve him and kiss his, well, ring. And, yes, I’m describing the despicable Donald J. Trump.

People, let’s use our power to save our democracy. Vote! Or the alternative will be an autocracy.

— Evelyn O. A. Darden, Columbia