Tucson Speaks Out: June 1

Judge: Trump can curb mail-in voting

A Judge allowed Donald Trump to disenfranchise himself from voting by his own Executive Order. Donald Trump has voted by mail for years. So has nearly every voter in Arizona. Voting by mail is the most predominant way to vote by everybody.

There is no voter fraud. That lie has been through the courts in every battleground state dozens of times. The result is the same every time.

I don't want to stop the president from voting — even when he tries to stop himself.

John Yoakum

Midtown

No Kings Day, July 4

For this July 4th, I propose a new American tradition: No Kings Day. Not because we have an actual king, but because we have a pretender.

We fought a revolution to escape the tyranny of a crown, but every so often, Americans develop a fondness for leaders who speak as though the rules apply to everyone except themselves. The Founders had a word for that. They called it a king.

Independence Day celebrates a radical idea: no one is above the law, no officeholder is beyond accountability, and no citizen is required to bow to a ruler. We have presidents, not monarchs. Public servants, not sovereigns.

So this July 4th, enjoy the fireworks, the hot dogs, and the parades. Wave the flag. Celebrate the Constitution.

And take a moment to remember that America’s greatest achievement was not replacing one king with another.

The crown belongs in a museum. Not in Washington.

Lawrence E. Mazin, Ed.D.

SaddleBrooke

Finding outside the echo chamber

Claire E. Scheuren's editorial on May 26 outlined issues around immigration. Her remarks, like those of many letter writers, made me wish we could meet to talk. She suggests meeting outside the "echo chamber". Some ways to do that: Do some research; be willing to learn many sides to an issue. For immigration, I recommend reading "Everyone Who Is Gone Is Here" by Jonathan Blitzer — great overview of our current mess. Look for "outside" in your world — your neighbor, mine brought me a wonderful homemade apple pie as we continued our dialogue. Your religious group may be willing to form a group to reflect on how their values address issues. Outsides are your book club, a potluck — wherever paths cross, there are opportunities. Easy? No. Somehow in this crazy world we need to take the chance and learn how to speak up in ways that continue our dialogue with one another. There are books and classes on that too — keep on learning!

Gypsy Lyle

Northwest side

Mail-in voting

I have just read that the post office has decided it will only mail ballots to those on a federal voting list. I have been on the permanent mail-in list for years. I have voted in every election since 1960. I am 88 years old, mobility-challenged, and cannot drive. Does this mean I will no longer be able to vote? This is absolutely outrageous. The US Constitution gives the states the determination about voting regulations, not the federal government. With our primaries coming up soon, what can we do?

Bette Bunker Richards

Midtown