It feels as if our whole nation has been kidnapped and is being held for ransom. I’m thinking about the $5 billion that President Donald Trump wants us to spend on a wall that no one else seems to think is even a good idea or a good use of our taxpayer money. I liked the guy who said that if we build a 12-foot-tall wall, someone will build a 13-foot-tall ladder. And I don’t care what anyone says, that’s a lot of money.

And if the wall gets approved, I question who will be getting that money. Whose bank accounts will be padded? Trump’s whole time in office has been riddled with scandals. One after another, his cabinet members and associates have left town or are facing jail time over incidences of questionable or downright illegal financial dealing.

My gut reaction says that a lot of his political pals will profit from this wall. Hopefully the actual workers will be paid, though Trump has shorted many workers before.

I wonder what better things could be done with that money. Solar panels for everyone? Decent pay for teachers? Money for roads and bridges, or for public transportation? For a transformation to clean energy? How about tax relief for the rest of us instead of just for the 1 percent?

Abby Shahn

Solon

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