Letters to the Editor published on November 4, 2025.
In recent months, the U.S. military has faced mounting scrutiny due to its engagement in operations against small vessels in the Caribbean and Pacific Oceans, actions that have raised significant legal and ethical concerns. The lack of a congressional declaration of war raises questions about the legitimacy of these military actions. The administration has justified these operations as part of a broader “war” on drugs, a characterization that lacks legal foundation and substantive public evidence suggesting that the targeted boats were engaged in drug trafficking rather than legitimate fishing activities.
This situation elicits a crucial consideration regarding the obligations of military personnel. If orders issued appear not only unjustified but may also constitute extrajudicial lethal actions, is there not a moral imperative for military personnel to refuse compliance? The Supreme Court’s immunity granted to the sitting president does not extend to members of the military, who retain a duty to disobey unlawful orders. The principle known as the “Nuremberg defense,” which absolves individuals from accountability by claiming they were merely following orders, does not apply to those serving in the armed forces.
The perceived normalization of extrajudicial actions threatens to ensconce a paradigm where the president operates above the law, a scenario starkly at odds with the foundational principles upon which the United States was established. It is essential for both legal scholars and military leaders to examine the implications of these operations and the potential for systemic abuse of power.
In the realm of healthcare policy, the need for significant reform is increasingly urgent. Historically, attempts at overhauling the U.S. healthcare system have encountered challenges, with efforts dating back to the administration of President Harry S. Truman. Throughout the decades, numerous administrations have attempted to align U.S. healthcare standards with those of Western allies, highlighting healthcare as a fundamental right.
The current crisis, compounded by the ongoing government shutdown and threats to Medicare, Medicaid, and the Affordable Care Act, underscores the necessity for a comprehensive reform of the healthcare system. Rising private insurance premiums, expected to reach unaffordable levels by 2026, further exacerbate this situation, indicating a critical juncture for the U.S. medical industry, which accounts for 20% of the national GDP.
Significant reforms will undoubtedly disrupt existing paradigms, particularly for hospitals, pharmaceutical businesses, and the health insurance sector. As the nation grapples with these concurrent crises, the imperative for major healthcare restructuring has never been clearer. History has shown that substantial change often emerges from moments of crisis; thus, immediate action is required to address the dysfunction within the healthcare system.
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