Will our nation be undone by greed?

If we want to move forward as a country, it helps to understand why so many of our neighbors voted for someone that many felt was unqualified. After digesting many of the election debriefings, it becomes clear that greed was the underlying motivation (“Armstrong Williams: Now is the time to unite and respect the election result,” Nov. 8).

“The overall economy may be strong, but I can’t easily buy the lifestyle being sold to me.”

“People who don’t look like me are taking away job opportunities.”

“Why fight for democracy around the world when all we need to do is defend ourselves?”

Strength has replaced altruism. Cage fighters garner more votes than writers and entertainers. Billionaires tell us they are fighting for the little guy.

History shows us that the country suffers when we embrace isolation and exit the world stage. A polarized population also leads to discord. We expect politicians to exploit our differences for election purposes. True leaders strive to unite the country and the world once in office.

— Eric Greene, Annapolis

Time to cut taxes, shrink government

Have politicians not learned from the 2024 election? Maybe it’s time for them to stop growing government, cut taxes and stop spending (“With Trump’s election, blue Maryland’s White House partnership moves to shaky ground,” Nov. 8).

I am a 77-year-old man living on a fixed income. If my son and my three grandsons did not live in Baltimore, I would move to another state that respects its seniors and charges lower taxes.

— J. Heming, Baltimore

Hogan would have given Md. a greater Senate voice

Democrats with the approval of The Baltimore Sun are very happy about the election of Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks to the U.S. Senate (“Maryland voters take the road less traveled,” Nov. 7).

The main argument of her campaign was that she is a Democrat and would prevent Republicans from taking control of the Senate. The consequences could include a national ban on abortion, she claimed, and that was a flat-out lie. Unfortunately for her, voters had different plans and Republicans control the Senate with at least 53 senators and a chance to pick up two more.

Thus, instead of having an independent voice in former Gov. Larry Hogan who could have helped block any loopy legislation by Republicans, Maryland is left with a backbencher of a minority party who will accomplish little other than to be a reliable vote for soon-to-be Minority Leader Chuck Schumer. I hope for the best, but I expect the worst.

— Robert C. Erlandson, Lutherville

Hard to celebrate a sociopath’s return to power

Last Wednesday afternoon at a local driving range, I heard two older gentlemen having a discussion that began, “Last night was a great night for America.” I kept my thoughts to myself but wanted to ask, “Can you please explain how electing a racist, misogynistic sexual predator and sociopathic, narcissistic, pathological liar who inspired an attempt to overthrow the government, stole government secrets, hid them, lied that he had them, who had affairs with porn stars, paid them off so his wife and the voting public would not find out, and cost about a million American lives by totally mishandling COVID constitutes a great night?” (“Armstrong Williams: Media elitism fueled Trump victory,” Nov. 8).

Donald Trump threatens to impose high tariffs on foreign countries which will drive up the costs of goods and services for many citizens. He claims that he will end the war between Russia and Ukraine immediately (presumably by insisting that Russian President Vladimir Putin gets exactly what he wants) and that he will end the Middle East conflict (how he will do this is mystifying). He has no plan for anything except to denigrate and threaten with imprisonment those with different opinions from his own.

For some reason, the electorate has spoken and we have what we have.

I hope those who voted for or supported President-elect Trump will hold him to task for his upcoming disastrous decisions. And the absolute worst thing — a clear sign as to someone’s character — is that he cheats at golf!

— Jon Jacobson, Lutherville

The Democrats chose to stay home in 2024

When President Joe Biden won the election in 2020, he received 81 million votes. Vice President Kamala Harris received 68 million. Despite all the pre-election hype, one out of six Democratic voters chose not to vote. Although former President Donald Trump’s vote count essentially matched his 2020 numbers, it was burnout, not turnout, that decided this race (“The story of how Trump went from diminished ex-president to a victor once again,” Nov. 8).

— Van Beall, Ellicott City