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Letters to the Editor, Oct. 13 Thursday Oct 13, 2016 at 2:00 AM Oct 13, 2016 at 12:48 PM Letters to the Editor, Oct. 13 Sound familiar? “An egomaniac who only loved himself ... a narcissist with a taste for self dramatization and a characteristic fondness for superlatives. His manic speeches and penchant for taking all-or-nothing risks raised questions about his capacity for self-control, even his sanity. He peppered his speeches with coarse phrases and put-downs of hecklers. Even as he fomented chaos by playing to crowd’s fears and resentments he offered himself as the visionary leader who could restore law.” Does this sound like anyone you have seen or heard recently? Maybe? Well, no. Those are the words of Volker Ulrich in his new book entitled “Hitler-Ascent 1889-1939.” He goes on to say, “unwillingness of Germany’s political parties to compromise had contributed to a perception of government dysfunction and the belief of Hitler supporters that the country needed a man of iron who could shake things up.” Be very careful with your vote this November. M. Warrick Grants Pass Expand the monument I’ve written President Obama and requested expansion of the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument beyond the Oregon border into California. This wilderness area was written about in 1983 in "The Klamath Knot" by David Rains Wallace, after he explored the Klamath Mountains of northwest California and southwest Oregon. More recently Wallace made the case for the creation of a national park in the epilogue to the 20th anniversary edition of his book. Wallace’s park proposal would expand the the already-protected area and include areas of California. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley have a bill pending to protect additional BLM lands from “multiple use” in the monument area, but as the president knows, Congress works slowly if and when it works. Recently, it has shown little concern for environmental protection and issues related to health and the environment, for example, Flint’s poisonous water. Monument expansion has the support of local communities as well as 85 local, regional and national scientists, who have asked the Interior Department to act on science and expand the monument before the president leaves office in January. Carol N. Doty Medford Time to change symbols? I’ve been thinking about the symbols that are used by the two major political parties in America. The Democrats use a jackass. To me that seems appropriate. I see no need for change. But, the Republicans use the elephant. I believe that should be changed. An elephant is the largest land mammal on earth. It fears no other animal. When any other animal meets an elephant on a narrow path, it gives way to the pachyderm. In reality, the elephant — not the lion — is the “King of the Beasts!” I do not believe Republicans are well represented by the elephant. I believe that they should adopt the squid as their emblem. This is because squids have no backbone! And, I believe that this is a perfect description of the Republican Party today! I used to register as a Republican. But, year after year, they have made promises that they did not keep. They allow Democrats to pull them around by the nose. I now register as “Non-affiliated.” Darrell Monk Medford