Values in Action

To the Editor:

Ms. Hooper’s recent letter reflects a troubling view of America and her fellow citizens. While I respect her right to express her beliefs, I believe our public dialogue must be rooted in facts, guided by compassion, and aimed at uniting— not dividing—our country.

She asks why someone would choose not to vote for Donald Trump. I can answer that question, not just from principle but from lived reality. I grew up believing in the dignity of work, the value of facts, and the importance of respecting others—even when we disagree. These are not partisan values—they’re American values. Admittedly, I have failed at times to adhere to some of these values, nevertheless, I’ve sought a grace to guide me back to them. I don’t vote a straight ticket. I assess each candidate’s character, their policies, and how well they reflect the ideals this nation aspires to.

Donald Trump fails that test. Our representatives, Congressman Michael McCaul, Senators Ted Cruz and John Cornyn, also fail that test.

Let’s start with immigration, a subject Ms. Hooper frames in incendiary terms. The facts tell a different story. In 2024 alone, the Biden administration deported more individuals than in any year of Donald Trump’s presidency. (You have to go back to Obama to find a higher number.) The president also supported a bipartisan immigration bill that would have increased border security, invested in modernized processing, and better enforced the law. It was a serious piece of legislation with support from both parties—until Trump personally intervened to sink it. Why? Because he preferred chaos at the border over compromise in Washington. That’s not leadership. That’s sabotage for political gain.

Ms. Hooper references California’s Proposition 47 as evidence of liberal lawlessness. It’s worth being precise: Prop 47 reclassified certain nonviolent offenses—such as minor theft and drug possession— from felonies to misdemeanors. It did not “legalize stealing.” Repeat offenders are still charged. Shoplifting is still illegal. And despite exaggerated rhetoric, studies show no clear link between Prop 47 and the rise in retail theft. Real solutions to crime require investment in mental health, community support, and targeted enforcement—not fear-based talking points.

Ms. Hooper claims to revere Christian values, but those values are hard to recognize when she speaks about entire groups of people with scorn and disdain. While I may not share her faith, I recognize the beauty in its core teachings: love your neighbor, show mercy, and care for the vulnerable. Jesus didn’t say “Love only those who look like you, worship like you, or vote like you”—he said, “Love your neighbor.” He said, “Blessed are the peacemakers.” He said, “Whatever you did for the least of these, you did for me.” If we’re to invoke Christian scripture, we shouldn’t do so selectively. Casting out and condemning people who are gay, trans, immigrants, or simply different isn’t Christian— it’s cruel.

The claim that Democrats have no values is not only unfair, it’s false. Democrats have led the most significant investments in clean energy in our country’s history. They’ve worked to expand healthcare for everyone, to reinforce Social Security, for voting rights, for civil rights. That’s not empty ideology. That’s results. That’s values in action.

As for Elon Musk—Ms. Hooper claims he employs “millions.” In fact, Tesla employs around 140,000 people worldwide; SpaceX, roughly 13,000. These are major employers, yes. But their success has been made possible through billions in public subsidies, government contracts, and favorable regulation. Musk’s recent campaign to gut agencies like USAID, under the guise of cutting “waste,” is reckless. USAID helped stabilize fragile nations, reduce poverty, and prevent humanitarian crises that often drive migration. Eliminating it makes America weaker, not stronger.

Musk’s so-called “chainsaw” approach to federal inefficiency may sound tough, but in practice, it’s destructive. Governing isn’t demolition—it’s architecture. It requires thoughtfulness, coordination, and care. Efficiency matters, but tearing down entire institutions without viable alternatives only leads to chaos.

And speaking of chaos— this week’s tariff announcements from Trump are already shaking markets. We’ve seen this movie before. Tariffs aren’t paid by other countries. They’re paid by American consumers. They raise prices, disrupt exports, and hurt American farmers and manufacturers. Trump’s economic policy seems driven by vengeance and spectacle, not strategy or sustainability.

Ms. Hooper’s defense of the tax status quo also deserves scrutiny. While it’s true that high earners pay a large share of total tax dollars, what matters more is how much they pay as a proportion of their income. Many billionaires end up with effective tax rates lower than those of teachers, firefighters, and police officers. That’s not an accident. It’s the result of loopholes, special exemptions, and a system that rewards wealth more than work. Democrats don’t want to punish success— they want fairness.Afair tax system isn’t about envy. It’s about justice.

I didn’t write this letter lightly. The toxic tone of our local and national discourse often discourages people from speaking up. But silence in the face of misinformation and scapegoating only emboldens that toxicity. We don’t have to agree on everything. But we do owe each other honesty, and we do have an obligation to aim higher than vilifying fellow Americans.

Ms. Hooper’s letter closed with a dismissal of those who “whine and complain” about Trump. Let me be very clear: criticism is not whining. Speaking truth is not weakness. And compassion and empathy are not partisan flaws. We’re all Americans. And we are at our best—not when we shout the loudest—but when we listen hardest, think deepest, and act with integrity.

John Morrison La Grange