Restore the White House, and send the bill to Trump

Suppose I bulldozed somebody’s house, without his or her permission.

Hopefully I would be given due process, but if found guilty, part of my punishment would be to make restitution to the owner of the house. The atrocity that Donald Trump has perpetuated on the White House, which is “the people’s house,” not his, should not stand.

Any continuation of this project should cease immediately. This proposed vulgar, grandiose ballroom overwhelms the elegant but intentionally modest structure of the original building, and is an inappropriate symbol of a monarch, rather than a democracy, which this country hopes to remain. The only correct solution is to abandon this outlandish project and restore the White House to its previous condition.

This task should be taken on by those experts responsible for the preservation, renovation and restoration of historic government buildings. To those who believe that such a restoration would be impossible, I cite the restored Notre Dame Cathedral. Restitution for this crime should be borne by the perpetrator, Donald Trump. Returning the White House to its previous condition would symbolize our recommitment to the preservation of our nation as a democracy.

Paul and Lucille Windt

Allentown