Readers sound off on Canada’s government, the Library of Congress and Diddy’s victim

Look to Canada as the United States’ North Star

Ann Arbor, Mich.: What does it mean for a government to serve the people and not corporations, lobbyists or partisan donors? Does the U.S. live up to that promise? No. But Canada comes closer.

Our neighbor to the north has built a framework rooted in accountability, transparency and integrity while we fall further behind. In Canada, open government isn’t a PR stunt, it’s the foundation. New ministers, like Prime Minister Mark Carney are reminded: government must earn and keep the public’s trust. We treat transparency like a photo op — speeches written by staffers and abandoned when the cameras switch off. Wannabe government contractors meet behind closed doors at fundraisers and we call it democracy. That’s corruption in a tailored suit. In Canada, ministers are warned: don’t discuss policy at fundraisers. In the U.S., we auction off influence. Want to shape health care? Write a six-figure check to a PAC. Want a tax break? Host a steak dinner for a senator. It’s legalized bribery.

In Canada, ministers are accountable for their departments. If something goes wrong, they own it or they’re gone. In the U.S., cabinet officials lie to Congress, break ethics rules and then rake in book deals after leaving office when they finally share their truth. If we held our politicians to Canada’s standards, the president, vice president and half of Congress would be out of a job tomorrow. We’re learning that there are no ethics standards for the Supreme Court. If we ever hope to rebuild public trust, we must rebuild the system — with rules, ethics and real accountability. Let’s stop pretending the U.S. is the gold standard of democracy. Not until we act like one. Steven M. Stein

No checks?

Manhattan: Where are the true patriots, if there are any? Who are in positions to make a difference and actually stand up for our country and go after the perverted convict in charge? He is robbing the U.S. blind with his outright corruption and money grab. Joseph Duffy

Not right in the head

Jersey City: What world do know-nothing President Trump apologists like Voicer Frank Barnett live in? Trump starts an impossible trade war with off-the-wall tariffs on products largely no longer manufactured in the U.S. (the only valid use of tariffs: to protect domestic manufacturing) and prices skyrocket, the stock market crumbles and Trump’s billionaire buddies make another fortune buying low because their buddy “postpones” a lot of his tariffs, stock prices go back up but prices for the rest of us do not go back down. Per Barnett: “Trump pretty much ends up being right”? Only if you admit it was all a corrupt scheme to begin with, or a president who says he doesn’t know that he swore to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution is more mentally enfeebled than any president since Woodrow Wilson at the end of his term! John Esche

Unvetted

Brewster, N.Y.: The illegal department, DOGE, and its illegal head, Elon Musk, cut benefits to veterans and laid off veterans working for the federal government. Meanwhile, the president is planning an elaborate military parade on June 14 (Flag Day) that will cost upwards of $45 million. Instead of an unnecessary parade, couldn’t that money be better used by hiring back some of those veterans and restoring their benefits? Does the president even care? To quote Charlton Heston in the first “Planet of the Apes” movie: “How did this upside down world get started?” We can fight back, though. Don’t attend the parade. Don’t watch it on television. And write to your representatives and senators. Tell them to cancel this parade and give that money to veterans! Larry Maslak

Assault on knowledge

Dartmouth, Mass.: The firing of the librarian of Congress is one of the most democracy-threatening actions by Trump. The Congressional Research Service, a department within the Library of Congress, provides unbiased, well-researched and documented information to congressional offices. “The Congressional Research Service (CRS) serves the Congress throughout the legislative process by providing comprehensive and reliable legislative research and analysis that are timely, objective, authoritative, and confidential, thereby contributing to an informed national legislature.” This department has existed for more than 100 years and has generated thousands of reports, statistics and even speeches for representatives and senators. It compensated for the inequality of status within both houses, where some members have more staff for research and writing. If a new librarian chosen by Trump fires researchers and replaces them with MAGA recruits, it will create a factory of disinformation and speeches with the appearance of credibility for every Republican legislator aligned with this administration. Betty Ussach

Rise and resist

Providence, R.I.: To Voicer Fredrick Washam, who began, “Brace yourselves, America, the worst is yet to come!”: Brace yourselves, America, the worst is yet to come / This is bound to happen if we let ourselves go numb / We can do much better than just lie back and succumb / Let’s resist attempts to make our land a moral slum. Felicia Nimue Ackerman

Skewed statistics

Woodside: Because I was tired of the same-old, same-old lack of choice in primaries, I didn’t want Joe Biden to run for a second term. I recalled that in 2019, he promised aides that he’d only run for a single term (apparently, Trump isn’t the only one whose ego gets the better of him). However, I question S.E. Cupp’s use of data from Echelon Insights/Puck, which are right-wing (“The Dems are still hiding from Biden cover-up,” column, May 14). Quoting these outfits in an article regarding Democratic operative David Plouffe’s new book obscures the truth. Whose side is she on, anyway? Sheila Richardson

Blame rename

Somerset, N.J.: Have you heard of the San Andreas Fault on the West Coast? It is rumored that Trump wants to rename it the Biden’s Fault. Arthur Bressler

Indecent ad

Staten Island: I find it extremely offensive that Scott Stringer, who is currently on the ballot for mayor, calls Trump in his TV ad campaign a “schmuck.” Him being of the Jewish faith should know better than to use a vulgar, obscene Yiddish term meaning, in a derogatory way, a penis. As he signs off on this ad, he says, “He’ll tell Trump where to stick it.” Myra Goodman

In defense of Bezos

Rego Park: At times, I can be as sympathetic for a revolution as Bernie Sanders and AOC, but I still think Jeff Bezos is misjudged. The guy is really smart. He was a National Merit Scholarship Finalist — that’s like the top .01%. He’s no “nepo baby.” His bike mechanic father abandoned him and his good-looking flower child mother when he was a baby. Amazon wasn’t an overnight success, it took 10 years to turn a profit. Who doesn’t have a dozen useful or even life-changing products they wouldn’t have if not for Amazon? If his idea of a good time is cruising to nowhere on a half-billion-dollar monstrosity with a boatful of so-called friends, then maybe he’s the fool. This should make your $2 slice or $5 beer all the more enjoyable. Jeff Rosenblatt

Red line

Flushing: The Medical Aid in Dying (MAID) Act in Albany needs to be stopped! Human life is precious, not disposable. Humans are not animals, yet you want to treat them the same or even worse. Nobody has a right to end a person’s life. Stop the MAID Act now! Szymon Salwa

Deserves confinement

Glen Ridge, N.J.: The piece of garbage who held 48 scared and neglected dogs trapped in a filthy apartment for their entire lives, without ever going outside or experiencing kindness and love, should spend the rest of his miserable life trapped inside a cage. He is a disturbed and despicable human being, and I use the term “human” very lightly. Francine Ferrara

No escape?

Yonkers: It was disgusting to read about the depraved behavior that Sean “Diddy” Combs subjected Cassie Ventura to. It’s difficult to understand how a human being could inflict such grotesque and depraved behavior on another. I also find it strange that the victim endured this despicable behavior for so long. Why didn’t she leave after the first instance or inkling of this degrading and abnormal behavior? Frank Brady