Life in the Box: Letters to the Editor

I like to write short, pithy letters to the editor for our local newspaper. I know, I know, nobody reads the paper except old people like me. But there are lots of old people, and I’d like to think I know something about my target audience.

I also think that Escape Into Life readers might have a way with creative expression. Or maybe just an appreciation of creativity, and that’s enough. I think it’s hard to write short letters about just one topic in these times. There are so many topics to choose from. So, I thought I’d share a few of my recent ideas on some of the broader issues, and maybe nudge you to write your own and encourage you to post/send your writing to your platform(s) of choice.

Project 2025.

It’s time for all Democrats to say, “We told you so.” Project 2025 is ripping through the federal government, doing great harm, and we will all feel the pain soon. It’s also time for people who voted for this administration to say, “You (Democrats) were right. I’m sorry.” And it’s time for everyone, everywhere, to do what they can to stop the illegal and immoral actions that are threatening our lives.

The Magic Pen.

President Trump believes he has a magic pen; that everything he writes with it will come true. The rest of us believe that when Presidential orders are not legal and/or not really within his power should be ignored. Unfortunately for us, some people are pretending he does have the power. That’s bad for everyone. We need to have a strong Congress and Supreme Court to push back. And, we need all good people to push back, too.

Make Believe. (Said Sarcastically)

I’m glad we all now have accepted the notion that if enough people vote that make-believe is actually reality, that make-believe becomes reality. We can join together and create a nirvana where there is no Big Government, there is no crime that the President (or us, his supporters) can be punished for, and all the people who disagree with us are bad. And should be in jail. Wait, who’s going to do this if there’s no Big Government? Oh, that’s right, there’s the Army and Guantanamo. Maybe we’ll keep those?! And get rid of all those silly courts and judges. Who needs lawyers; who needs facts? Majority makes reality, right?

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I write to my senators and representatives about specific topics. Most of them are Republican these days, and their answers are ridiculous and splattered with falsehoods. I keep looking for ways to change the hearts and minds of those who have been brainwashed to believe that Trump means no harm. He means lots of harm. It’s obvious to most of us.  But his supporters really, really, want to believe that THEY won’t be harmed, and that Trump has their best interests at heart. Unfortunately, if they haven’t noticed yet, they will have personal evidence soon enough.

In a discussion about possible cuts to Medicaid, Medicare and Social Security, a friend of mine heard a man say, “They won’t take away MINE!” Her (good) answer was, “What makes you so special?” Who knows, maybe Elon Musk will have a tech guru filter out all the people who voted for MAGA Republicans, and just take away benefits from everyone else. It could happen. Let’s hope not. And let’s push back in creative ways.

Nancy Heather Brown is a retired, Emmy Award-winning television producer whose career has included interviewing, writing, narrating and editing for a span of four decades. Today, she enjoys learning new things and reflecting upon the creative process and life issues, both inside and outside the box. Her opinions are her own, and are not necessarily those of this web site. She’s now showing photos on Smug Mug