Americans, with their votes, approved a political movement that rejects the equality that has defined our democracy. Instead, of a government of, by and for the people, a few citizens will lead the nation by directing the actions of the rest of us. These few men suppress all opposition and direct the economy so that corporate elites and loyal politicians call all the shots. They swear allegiance to a single all-powerful dictator. Together, they demonize opponents into an “other” that their followers hate. They believe that power should not be shared with the people, especially people of color and women. These leaders ride this fear of others to control the government and chip away at laws that protect equality. This autocracy vows to replace government employees with loyalists and weaponize the Department of Justice and the military against those they perceive as enemies. They promise to deport millions of immigrants, silence LGBTQ Americans, and prosecute journalists and political opponents. This autocracy includes a leader who claims he can do anything he wants and his chosen loyalists will make the rules under which the rest of us must live. Just that quickly, democracy is gone. — Jerry Hanson, Elkhorn, Wisconsin Trump is a legend Love him or leave him, you have got to give the man credit and respect for what he has accomplished. President-elect Donald Trump has been through the mill. This man of steel has had to deal with two impeachments, four indictments, blue states trying to remove his name from the ballot, character assassination, demonization and two assassination attempts. Yet Trump went on to make the greatest political comeback in American history in the 2024 presidential election. With all his accomplishments, how could Trump not be Time’s Person of the Year for the second time? This legend in his own time remains unflappable and unstoppable, and he will be the strongest commander in chief ever. — JoAnn Lee Frank, Clearwater, Florida Making threats daily I am in my mid-70s and have been reading newspapers almost my entire life. I have never seen a single president other than No. 45 and the soon-to-be No. 47 given headlines that repeatedly contain the word “threatens.” It is disturbing and sickening that the incoming leader of our country finds it necessary virtually every day to make threats against our own people and members of his own party, as well as media organizations, businesses and any entity or foreign leader who says anything negative about him. Why can’t the Tribune’s headline writers invent a new verb to use since what Donald Trump is really doing is trying to sound tough and bully, create fear and terrorize others while virtually all of his “threats” are hollow and come to nothing? They’re nothing but bluffs because he’s actually weak. I challenge the editors to come up with a new word to describe the childish demand for attention unique to our incoming president that doesn’t also give credence to his hollow attempts at intimidation. (Tribune readers — any suggestions? Can we make it the 2025 “Word of the Year”?) Please, don’t force Tribune readers to spend the next four years with the word “threatening” in headlines every single day. — Linda Townsend, Palatine Man in charge of cuts Elon Musk is going to be the spending cut czar. This is a man who, as it was just announced, has amassed a $400 billion fortune. Meanwhile, at least 10% of the children in this country go to bed with empty stomachs. Musk could solve this problem with his petty cash account. — Frank W. Tedesso, Harwood Heights End gerrymandering As an Illinois native in the 10th Congressional District, I found this election cycle disheartening. Despite claims from U.S. Rep. Brad Schneider that so much was at stake, there were no real stakes. Schneider won easily, as he has since his narrow victory over Robert Dold in 2016. No Republican candidate has earned more than 40% of the vote since then. The cause? Partisan gerrymandering. Gerrymandering turns states into battlegrounds, leaving voters as collateral damage. Shifts in district lines discourage voter participation, as many feel their votes are wasted. This isn’t unique to Illinois — it’s a national issue that threatens democracy. Federalist No. 10 suggests federal intervention as the solution to break the grip of factions controlling politics. We can see this idea fully realized in the contrast between the fluidity of the federal government and the rigidity of state elections in Illinois. Despite there being no severe faction in charge of the holistic federal government, there has been the same man in our district office for what will be six terms now. If we were to follow James Madison and call upon the federal government to crack down on partisan gerrymandering, the practice may go the way of racial gerrymandering following the Shaw v. Reno ruling. While third-party redistricting seems promising, it risks corruption. Unfortunately, U.S. Supreme Court rulings such as Lamone v. Benisek and Gill v. Whitford have made federal action unlikely, so we must rely on social movements to push for change. Hopefully, with a decision overturning the previous cases, we could start to see significant changes in our political system. — Liam Gregory O’Neill, Mundelein What about rest of us? Our governor has vowed to protect migrants. He’s already protecting women wanting abortions from other states. Will he ever get around to upholding his oath to the people of Illinois? — Larry Geraghty, Tinley Park Make cuts as well Regarding taxes going up in Illinois, I’m agreeable to tax increases equal to 10% of spending cuts. — David J. Fagan, Glen Ellyn Mutual responsibility I am a senior citizen, and each time I ride the CTA, I hope and pray that there will be a Daniel Penny on the train or bus if an unfortunate situation arises. Having so few CTA staff members on the subway is a reminder that we are all responsible for the safety of each other. We need a person (man or woman, teen or older) who is willing to stand up and help us feel safe. When I witness the consideration of other riders — offering seats to elderly people or mothers with small children — I am comforted to know that Chicago remains a city of decent, thoughtful people. Penny should be emulated, not interrogated. — Mary Ann Kehl, Wilmette Go after speeders The letter from Ava Holly Berland (“Lake Shore Drive speeds,” Dec. 10) is spot-on. I do not know who manages DuSable Lake Shore Drive, the state or the city, but I would ticket everyone going more than 45 mph (I know the speed limit is 40 mph) and impound all cars going more than double the speed limit. I would extend this to all interstates as well. Through the city, I would require all semi trucks to drive only in the far right lanes as well. The few minutes we “save” in time is not worth this public disregard for public safety. — Bill Termini, Chicago Note to readers: We’d like hear from you about what inspires you and helps you feel fulfilled during the holidays, whether religious or secular in nature. Email us a letter of no more than 400 words to [email protected]. Be sure to include your full name and your city/town. Submit a letter, of no more than 400 words, to the editor here or email [email protected].