To the Editor:

Helene brought destruction and chaos! Homes, businesses, cars, people washed away, roads and bridges washed out, people cut off from aid, etc. MAGA voters have brought a national storm upon us all and chaos is resulting.

Many in WNC claim to be Christians. MAGA voters, remember these words from Galatians 6a and b, “Do not be deceived. A man reaps what he sows.” You have been deceived and we’re all reaping what you’ve sown! Chaos is the reality in Washington.

PBS says the Trump campaign has not signed “agreements that would launch FBI background checks of nominees and other standard steps before confirmation hearings.” Trump wants “recess appointments” — the Senate would abandon “its Constitutional advise-and-consent role and allow his nominees to be installed without a vote.”

The Atlantic says that Trump’s nominees have two main attributes — loyalty (do exactly what he says) and loathing of the “deep state.” There is a storm/chaos in the GOP-dominated House and Senate — he’s testing the limit of their resolve. Their decisions are critical because these nominees will oversee some of the most important functions of government.  

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is nominated for Health and Human Services Secretary. He would remove fluoride from drinking water, says that no vaccines are safe and effective and would not allow research on drugs and infectious diseases for eight years (CBS News). Lee Zelden, Trump’s choice for EPA Administrator, voted against certifying the 2020 election, the Inflation Reduction Act, clean water legislation a dozen times and clean air legislation at least a half dozen times. Zelden doubts the science of climate change. He supports Trump’s “drill baby drill.” A former Regional EPA Administrator said his environmental record is “abysmal” and that “the states are going to be on their own in terms of tackling environmental change.” 

Will Trump’s unqualified appointees be able to warn us of the next devastating storm? Chris Wright, nominated to head the Department of Energy, is CEO of a fracking company and claims “there is no climate crisis” (Reuters).  

Project 2025 will result in higher prices due to tariffs, elimination of the DOE, using the Justice Department to go after “enemies,” deporting those who build our houses, pick our crops, care for our lawns, and we’ll suffer from more frequent and devastating storms.  When MAGA voters reap what they’ve sown will they join with us who will do all we can to resist the dictator?

Thanks to those who oppose this dictator and aren’t afraid to speak up. I say that the Republican Party is no more — it’s a personality cult worshipping Trump. Democracy’s being battered by the MAGA storm!

Gene Tunnell

Cullowhee