The latest COVID-19 surge has made increasingly clear the lack of responsible leadership offered by New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu. Last week, responding to record case numbers in the state, he acknowledged: “We have 350 cases today. If you ask me where we’ll be in two weeks, I think we’re over a thousand.” Over the weekend, the daily cases have only climbed. Yet, the governor has refused to take any actions to keep New Hampshire safe, including simple measures such as a universal mask mandate, which has been adopted by both Democratic and Republican administrations in the region.
This lack of leadership is reprehensible. Has he forgotten these are real lives at risk? I am thinking of my grandmother, who lives in assisted memory care in Lebanon. Every day I am grateful she is safe, but fearful for the day when she is not. Simply surrendering to the pandemic will only result in further death. Rather than apathy from our leadership, I demand care and action. Please install common sense precautions.
GAVIN McGOUGH
Plainfield
The president of the United States says to “liberate Michigan,” and his COVID-19 adviser, Dr. Scott Atlas, calls on citizens there to “rise up” against measures to control the virus.
Can we not impeach Donald Trump for treason when he calls on citizens to be treasonous?
We’re losing more than 1,000 Americans to COVID-19 every day. That’s four airliners dropping out of the sky every day. Imagine those planes landing safely.
Shouldn’t Trump be opening doors for the transition, especially with the COVID-19 task force, instead of duping his supporters into giving him money to pay off his debt? Come on, Americans, we’re so much smarter than that.
C-SPAN showed footage of a moving van outside the White House the day after the election. Hopefully, Trump was not making off with the artwork he appropriated from the U.S. Embassy in Paris in 2018. Maybe it was just Melania moving out?
There will be a happy dance when Donald Trump and the Trumpsters leave the White House — Jared, Ivanka, Don Jr. — along with the Cabinet that is the Trump swamp. Good riddance.
ANNE PEYTON
South Strafford
Here are three fun facts:
■ If, as projected, President-elect Joe Biden carries Georgia, and President Donald Trump carries North Carolina, Biden will receive 306 electoral college votes. That is precisely the number that President Trump received in 2016, which he characterized as a “landslide.”
■ President Trump is on track to receive a smaller percentage of the overall vote in 2020 than Mitt Romney received in 2012.
■ In the eight Presidential elections since 1988, the Republican candidate has received more total votes than the Democratic candidate exactly once.
CHARLIE BUTTREY
Thetford
Further to John C. Morris’ excellent letter (“Echoes of the McCarthy era,” Nov. 17), it would be wonderful if we could resurrect the Army’s chief counsel, Joseph Welch, to proclaim again, as he did in the 1954 Army-McCarthy hearings, “Have you no sense of decency?” and have it listened to and be as powerfully effective now as it was then.
ALFRED BLUM
Grantham
The turmoil throughout the world these days reminds me of what is often referred to as an ancient Chinese curse: “May you live in interesting times.”
BOB CATTABRIGA
West Lebanon
It has been a pleasure serving as your representative for the Grafton 3 district (Bath, Benton, Easton, Landaff, Orford, Piermont and Warren). It’s been interesting and challenging, but the best part of being in the New Hampshire Legislature is the people you meet along the way. Whether it’s working with a constituent to solve a problem or having a conversation at the transfer station, it’s been both interesting and rewarding.
I encourage everyone to get involved with their town or state government. New Hampshire needs and encourages volunteers. Currently, I am a court appointed special advocate (CASA). That’s rewarding, as well, and we always need more CASAs. I am also pleased that Denny Ruprecht was elected to represent the Grafton 3 district. I’m sure he’ll do a great job. Thank you for your support.
SUE FORD
Easton, N.H.