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Power struggle over the shutdown – Stamm’s letter to the editor printed by the New York Times

Yesterday, the New York Times printed Stamm’s letter to the editor.

To the Editor:

Re “How the Wall Has Boxed In the President” (news analysis, front page, Jan. 6):

The current shutdown is only superficially about a wall and national security. After all, President Trump and Senate Republicans were fine with the continuing spending resolutions until right-wing pundits started objecting. What this is really about is the first battle in the war between Mr. Trump and the now Democratically controlled House for the soul of this country.

The president is trying to compel House Democrats to vote for his wall. It is a pure and unmitigated battle for power. In this battle he has no empathy for the suffering of others. No lie is too small or cruelty too harsh.

At stake is the future of our democracy. The biggest threat to national security is Mr. Trump himself. If Mr. Trump is not defeated in this battle, he will only be emboldened to do it again whenever he doesn’t get his way.

Leonard Stamm
Silver Spring, Md.

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