Donald Trump, a candidate for the GOP presidential nomination is...

Donald Trump, a candidate for the GOP presidential nomination is answering questions via Twitter on Sept. 21, 2015. He spoke on the west lawn of the Capitol on Sept. 9, 2015. Credit: Getty Images / Chip Somodevilla

I am compelled to express my deep concern about what Donald Trump is doing to the nation and the world [“Critics baffle Trump backers,” News, Dec. 15]. He is a narcissistic, power-hungry businessman who is using fear to get elected.

He seems to be ignorant of the fact that being Muslim is a religious faith, as is being Christian or Jewish. His suggestion to ban Muslims from entering the United States is embarrassing and fuels the fire of radical extremists.

The Islamic State, or the jihad mentality, is not what Islam is about. ISIS is a twisted, evil version of the faith. Trump is instigating a nationalistic mob mentality against Muslims and immigrants here illegally.

Nancy Rodriguez, Levittown

 

For a time he was amusing, entertaining and arguably a rebel with a cause. No longer. Donald Trump has crossed the last of a series of pernicious lines with his call to ban Muslims from entering the United States. This is not what we do. This is not who we are.

In America, it is about we the people, not us and them.

At this time, we are witnesses to an unprecedented campaign of violence both physical and psychological, conducted by zealots. The real danger to our nation is the psychological warfare. The fear is fueled by the words of Trump.

If we don’t stand together on our principles and the rule of law, we will defeat ourselves. The Islamic State is banking on this, because any attempts it makes to challenge our military will not succeed.

To all of my fellow Americans of the Muslim faith and all Muslims visiting the United States, I say, As-salamu alaykum (Peace be upon you). May we all be one of us and not one of them.

Ed Weinert, Melville

 

Donald Trump has handed world terrorism its greatest victory with his proposal to ban Muslims from entering the country. This is a victory for the terrorists because Trump and his supporters are willing to overturn our tradition of judging people as individuals instead of as a group.

To fortify his position, Trump has invoked the name of President Franklin Roosevelt. Trump has compared his proposal with actions Roosevelt took during World War II. Yet Trump seems to have forgotten that Roosevelt also said, “The only thing that we have to fear is fear itself.”

Certainly a reasonable person might fear becoming a victim of terrorism, but it’s our courage as individuals and as a nation that will win this struggle, not the surrender of liberty or the banning of Muslims or people of any other religious belief.

Charles R Cronin Jr., Lawrence

 

I’m a 63-year-old, Woodstock-attending liberal. Several of my friends — including physicians, attorneys, etc., who have never voted Republican — are seriously looking at The Donald.

It comes down to the definition of insanity as expecting a different result without changing any of the variables. The reason our country is in a downward spiral is because of the professional politicians. Their motivation is furthering their careers, enriching their families at the public expense — Sheldon Silver, Dean Skelos, etc. — and when a little gravy spills over to the public, they take full credit.

The welfare of their constituents is not their primary concern. Professional politicians are the cause of these problems, not part of the solution. So a vote for The Donald is a protest vote! We don’t necessarily agree with his attitudes or his ideas, but how much worse could he be?

Gary Bravstein, Alberston

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