Opinion articles provide independent perspectives on key community issues, separate from our newsroom reporting.

Readers' Opinion

Rants & Raves: Readers react to Donald Trump's Hilton Head speech, Haley

On an analysis of Donald Trump's recent speech in Hilton Head:

It's not "new" politics. Fascism has been around a long time and perfected by much smarter men than Trump. Bullying has, too, and some 3-year-olds are better at it as well. David Starry

Trump is a farce, more of a Dem than anything. He's also incompetent, which should be considered problematic for the job of presidency. Rebecca M. O'Herron

You all are going to guarantee we are stuck with another liberal for four more years, and that will be the end of this country. Mike Ryan

OMG, it gives me a headache just trying to read his rambling rhetoric. He's going to do this and he's going to do that but no concrete plan for doing anything is stated. Donald in La La Land. Sheri Brown

Please stop posting articles about Donald Trump. No one cares. Write about a real candidate: Sen. Bernie Sanders.Justin Rohal

Trump for president.David Dorsey

Trump for president.McKinlay Johnson

On Hilton Head Mayor David Bennett saying, "It's a privilege to speak before this council, not a right" during an argument with critic Skip Hoagland:

Mr. Mayor, that is 100 percent wrong. It is a privilege to serve, not the other way around as you suggest. As an American, many before me have fought to preserve my rights. After all, we do not have a politburo in this country. Our population are citizens, not subjects, and while I agree in civility and decorum (something so few American politicians seem to exhibit these days), please don't tell me it is a privilege for any citizen to address its elected officials. Rob Rocco

Decorum allows reasonable limits on speech, but speaking to government is an absolute right. It is part of the right to seek redress. Otherwise, the elected pols are just self-important blowhards. Joe Farrell

On a new Walmart coming to Lady's Island:

Most of you complaining about this Walmart will still end up shopping there. If you don't support it, don't shop there. Continue spending your money at local businesses instead of giving in just because it's more convenient. I am living in Texas now and will be sad to see this Walmart when I come visit. Annabelle Cox

Has anyone ever been to a Walmart where it was easy to find someone to help you or wait on you? They are all disasters because the employees are underpaid and hate their jobs. Nance Lee Sneddon

With all the ones closing it's too bad they didn't scrap this one. Kady Graham

Dreadful. Why do our politicians allow this to happen? Jeanne Harrison

Oh my goodness! Think of the job opportunities. They are going to hire at least two cashiers! Sarah A. Hall

Walmart is awesome. It'll give jobs to people. Walmart offers great benefits that most mom and pop shops cannot afford to offer. You do realize that Walmart in Beaufort employees over 35-100 people per day within the store. Beaufort wants people to move here and tourists to visit, but no one wants to accommodate the growth. It is sad because, after it is built, people will be thankful they do not have to drive out to the other one. Yonny Potter

Outstanding. Ron Videtto

On a school board member blaming the media after she claimed pedophiles frequented RV parks:

Oh well ... sounds like she just took a page out of the old Donald Trump handbook titled, "Let's Generalize People." Monee' Riggs-Wells

Sometimes you might be better off to keep your trap shut. Jerry Parker

Open mouth, insert foot! Can't take it back. Think before you speak. Jane Cordell Harmon

Think before you speak. Jennifer Hinchey

Join the conversation on pages at www.facebook.com/islandpacket and www.facebook.com/beaufort.gazette.

This story was originally published January 24, 2016 at 6:40 PM with the headline "Rants & Raves: Readers react to Donald Trump's Hilton Head speech, Haley."

Get unlimited digital access
#ReadLocal

Try 1 month for $1

CLAIM OFFER