To the Editor:

With his latest tariffs on Canada, Trump has once more decided to unilaterally raise taxes on Americans in an attempt to punish a country which won’t give in to his bullying. His first round of tariffs cost American consumers and companies well over $100 billion – and he doesn’t care. On top of that, his uncontrollable dedication to nastiness has already cost us billions in lost revenue from Canadian tourists, vacationers, and shoppers – a particular concern to North Country residents. 

Now he’s gone further. Last Tuesday, in a childish gesture intended to “troll” Canadians, he issued an Executive Order changing the name of Lake Ontario to “Lake America”, and instructing all Executive departments to comply. This may seem trivial, but it’s not. 

The US Geological Survey has already made the change in all its electronic materials, for instance, and it theoretically means all teaching materials, maps, sales brochures, and tourist information has to also change, not to mention the names of many businesses no longer having significance. 

I’m sending a letter to Governor Hochul requesting she issue an executive order stating that New York State – the only US state which borders Lake Ontario – will not comply with this order, and that she further instruct the Attorney General to file suit against Trump for this order. Let his legal cronies explain in court how this represents American interests sufficient to justify this burden. I recommend everyone else do the same. 

And in November, vote for representatives who will push back hard against this idiocracy, which is steadily turning America into a second-class, friendless country. 

Donald A. Duncan
Hannawa Falls