Editor:
Who has huge expensive military parades? Only the dictators of China, Russia and North Korea — not democracies who spend their $83 million on improving the lives of service members, their families and veterans (Mailbox, June 5)! That’s pure waste.
It is fraud to pretend the parade is to celebrate the birth of the army when it’s just a very expensive and indulgent birthday celebration for the president who ordered it for himself. That is fraud.
It is an abuse of taxpayer’s money and the use of DOGE, whose cuts in personnel and intimidation at the Pentagon enabled the president to get permission for this big display. The Pentagon wouldn’t let him have his parade in the first administration, so he is finding a way to get it this time around. That is abuse.
If you don’t like waste, fraud and abuse, join the people’s parade June 14 at Madaket Plaza at 11 a.m. or join them at the Humboldt County Courthouse at noon. Bring a sign: No kings, no dictators or no waste, fraud or abuse. Let’s keep our democracy real!
Kay Escarda, Eureka
This article appears in Wide Open.