Dear Editor:

I would like to thank Mr. Hammond for his answers to my questions (re: Destabilizing Our Nation and Planet). I offer the following comments in response:

The United States is a country based on the Rule of Law. If the highest levels of our government do not obey and enforce the Laws of the country, the foundations of the country will collapse.  I disagree with the statement that what Mr. Hammond calls feedback loops “are (a) greater (danger) by several orders of magnitude” when those “feedback loops” may not happen or exist.

At this time, there are no Republican tax cuts, ACA remains in place, the “mass incarceration of minorities” has its basis in the Clinton-signed “Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994.” Mr. Hammond does not identify any documented increases in government corruption or diminished democracy.

The claimed increase in plutocracy is interesting when compared to the fundraising practices of the Democratic Party (Wall Street Bankers, Hollywood elite), the Clinton Foundation (foreign governments, Wall Street) and now former President Obama (large Wall Street speaking fee).

Mr. Hammond’s answer re: ethics violations, offers non-specific blanket accusations, while I requested, “What specific ethics violations are being concealed? Has anyone been charged with a crime for ethics violations?”

We do agree rich donors buying influence is not in the spirit of the U.S. Constitution. By default, former President Obama responding to the wishes of billionaire climate activist Tom Steyer to stop the Keystone Pipeline was a bad thing or was it okay because it was for a good cause?

ACA is failing and no one seems to be concerned. insurance providers have and are withdrawing in many states citing cost. ACA will fail all by itself. Is a government run Universal Healthcare system the answer to replace a failed government run Obama Care program?

Sectary of Education, Betsy DeVos, would be an excellent person to manage an increased education investment.

President Obama and Secretary of State Clinton came up with the “reset button” concept for dealing with Russia. Mr. Trump is just using that same reset button.

Paul Mayotte

Trevett and

Cape Coral, Florida