USA TODAY

Letter to the editor:

We all see things from our own perspectives. In the world of politics, sometimes we look at things through the eyes of politicians who have an agenda. But the visual is worth a thousand words.

The caravan of immigrants coming through Mexico can be seen as people who are looking for a better life — families with women and children escaping the possible oppression in their own countries.

I see those types of people, but President Donald Trump and his supporters see murderers and crime. We know Trump’s agenda is strictly to promote fear, and that seems to play directly to his base.

The result of this Rorschach test is only one of Trump’s dark views on immigration, stemming from a deeper concern involving racism and a support of white supremacy — a culture that seems to surround him.

Linda Gefen; Boca Raton, Fla.

Talker:Immigrant caravan is now a political play for midterms

America is great, thanks to its diversity

Letter to the editor:

We were misled by President Donald Trump. We thought he would continue the sound immigration policies that have served this country well for so many years. Policies that closely adhered to the poem on the Statue of Liberty: “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.” It is the great diversity of America that has made us the undisputed, greatest country in the world.

Related column:Trump is lying to scare voters. Migrant caravan families are desperate, not terrorists.

Our reputation has been been damaged over the past two years as our president has embraced dictators and angered our allies.

Trump’s policies must be tempered by the opposition party. He should not continue damaging our great country.

Bob Gould; Palm Desert, Calif.

Elizabeth Warren stated facts

Letter to the editor:

In her USA TODAY column, Rebecca Nagle unfortunately accused Elizabeth Warren of insulting Native Americans.

Warren is only reporting the facts. Anyone who serves in public office should report the facts to the voters.

The genetic test showed that she has five genetic segments of Native American DNA. The measurement has a posterior probability of 99 percent, which is how genetic test results are reported. The research was done by Carlos Bustamante, a professor of genetics at Stanford and adviser to Ancestry and 23 and Me. He stated: “The facts suggest that you absolutely have a Native American ancestor in your pedigree.”

Related column:Elizabeth Warren's 'part' Cherokee claim is a joke, and a racist insult to Natives like me

The claim has been reported in her family for many generations. She did not initiate it. Some of her family came from Oklahoma, the state with the highest percent of Native Americans in the nation. She has never claimed to be affiliated with a tribe, and has never claimed any connection to tribal citizenship.

She is just reporting the facts. President Donald Trump is not acting presidential when he continues to insult her mother. Would you like someone to ridicule the results of your genetic background? Trump has a long record of evading factual information about many things. That, too, is not presidential.

Harry Thorn; Philadelphia

Teachers need recognition, assistance

Letter to the editor:

Thank you, USA TODAY, for giving teachers front-page exposure.

I am a volunteer at the Tarzana Elementary School in Tarzana, California. I tutor math, reading, spelling and writing. I do not envy any teacher today. What they have to put up with is beyond reasonable. They do have an extraordinary school principal. She does the best (and beyond) she can with what she has to work with. Any time she sees a volunteer, she says “thank you.”

Our view:Pay teachers what America owes them — respect and higher salaries

Opposing view:Reality doesn’t support paying teachers more

It is truly sad that parents no longer (or seldom) take responsibility for their children’s education. The behavior of some of today’s students is unbelievable. Parents should realize that schools are not babysitters. It is a place to learn. If you have children, take care of them.

We should appreciate the fact that teachers go way beyond their duties any given day. They shop for school supplies (mostly out of pocket), since many of the students do not have the money to buy what they need. They console students if they are sad over issues that might exist at home or with other students. Teachers are a special force.

I encourage retired people to volunteer at any school. Sometimes, a child just needs somebody to talk to, a little encouragement and a smile. It can go a long way toward creating a more attentive student.

Rita De Long; Tarzana, Calif.

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