Letters: This impeachment an unconstitutional ‘show’ trial; Unhappy with state’s vaccine distribution plan | READER COMMENTARY

This impeachment an unconstitutional ‘show’ trial

It is regrettable that the Congress of the United States has chosen to use the power of impeachment against former President Trump. Certain members of Congress called for impeachment even before Trump completed his first week in office. So, it is pretty obvious that this is but a show trial intended to punish a political rival.

Impeachment is a process intended to remove a sitting president from office. Please refer to the Constitution of the United States, Article I, Section 3, Clause 7. Impeachment was never intended to be used against a private citizen. The impeachment of a private citizen is a direct violation of the Constitution which our elected representatives have sworn to uphold. Please consult the Federalist Papers (Nos. 39, 65, 69 and 77) for discussions of the purposes for which our Founding Fathers intended impeachment to be used. If former president, now private citizen, Donald Trump is to be judged for criminal activity there are other avenues besides impeachment that could and should be used.

Certain members of Congress regularly refer to our “democracy.” It seems that these individuals do not understand our form of government any more than they understand the intended purpose of impeachment. Under our Constitution, we have never been a “democracy” nor did our Founding Fathers ever intend for us to be a “democracy.” We are a republic, not a democracy. We are a constitutional, federal republic that follows democratic process.

Some people refer to the United States as a “democratic republic.” North Korea calls itself a “democratic republic.” They, too, conduct show trials to punish political rivals. I would not care to be associated with such company.

For the record, I am an independent voter, not affiliated with any political party.

John J. Sterbenz

Eldersburg

Unhappy with state’s vaccine distribution plan

If I read the article in Sunday’s paper correctly the state is acknowledging it is completely ludicrous to have separate sign-up for COVID-19 shots at multiple locations but they have no intentions to improve.

Sometimes you have to live with a bad situation? Sorry, I never have to live with a bad situation. My suggestion would be: Step 1, fire the person that made that statement, or if it was someone that was elected identify them for removal at next election. Step 2, start a boycott against any pharmacy that finds a single sign up not to their liking.

Since I expressed my anger against this process in my last letter I watched the governor go to Camden Yards for a big COVID-19 rollout in which he announced he had increased the Baltimore allotment by an amount larger than he cut Carroll County’s allotment by. Then no less than three speakers at that press conference said they wanted all illegal aliens to come get their shots and that no question about legal status would be asked.

We are months into the rollout and the ounty still has a significant number of 75 and up that have not been vaccinated, yet and they have enough in Baltimore city for illegal aliens?

Steven Davidson

New Windsor