World Cup gives Americans a chance to show our better side | Opinion

World Cup showcases America

With the “invasion” of the Scottish Tartan Army to the small island nation of Curaçao’s Blue Wave, it became clear that what defined this World Cup experience was not politics, but the American people themselves.

Visitors were amazed not only by the matches, but by the United States as a whole. They took in the scale and energy of our cities and small towns, the openness of our culture and especially the food, from barbecue to everyday meals that felt new and exciting. Even simple moments, like sharing a meal, talking with locals, or exploring, became lasting memories.

What stood out was their reaction to Americans. Time and again, they described our “down-home” friendliness, the way people strike up conversations, offer help without hesitation and make strangers feel welcome.

This wasn’t staged; it was genuine. And that’s the point: this moment wasn’t created by the White House. It came from everyday Americans — working, volunteering, hosting, and cheering who shaped every visitor’s experience.

The World Cup didn’t just showcase soccer; it showcased the American people. It proved that the true spirit of this country lives in its citizens and that American hospitality is real, as the world experienced it firsthand.

Robert L MacFann, Tacoma

Fossil fuel industry too influential

The world as we know it today was built on the back of burning fossil fuels. Unfortunately, this has come at a tremendous cost. Emissions from burning fossil fuels are rapidly warming our world at a rate that has never occurred before. Why do we continue to burn planet-killing fuels?

One reason is the fossil fuel industry’s control over our government. The industry spends approximately $250 million annually lobbying elected officials, with the vast majority going to Republican officials and candidates. During the 2024 presidential campaign alone, oil interests gave over $75 million to Trump-affiliated PACs. This results in $20 to $35 billion a year on direct handouts to the fossil fuel industry.

We cannot expect meaningful climate action while representatives are financially beholden to the industry driving this crisis. Voters must reject candidates who prioritize fossil fuel payouts over our planet’s future.

Ron Sadler, Seattle

People over politicians

My thoughts on changing the third word of the Constitution to politicians from people is becoming more evident by what I read in the News Tribune about the proposal to end the sheriff’s term early.

Currently, the people vote for the sheriff, and he serves the people and not the politicians, although politicians are people. If this proposal passes, then people won’t be served because the person selected will be a yes ma’am or yes, sir, to the politicians of our county.

The people are losing the right to have their say on who serves them. So as long as the third word at the Constitution is still “people.” The people are the ones that should have a say and who was elected, not the politicians.

Alice Dowie, Roy

DDA facing provider shortages

As a Tacoma resident and advocate for individuals receiving Developmental Disabilities Administration services, I feel DDA is not listening and the consequences are about to get significantly worse.

In March 2026, Department of Social and Health Services Secretary Angela Ramirez announced a $10.4 million reduction from DDA’s Individual and Family Services budget, citing anticipated underspending. But DDA’s own Family Advisory Council minutes from May 2025 document why those funds went unspent: families were approved for services they could not access due to provider shortages and administrative barriers.

This is a double whammy. Families cannot access approved services. Then DDA removes the unspent money and calls it underspending. When Gov. Bob Ferguson’s required cuts arrive, they will be calculated from that already-reduced baseline — cutting deeper into services families already cannot reach.

Ferguson has directed agencies to make data-driven reductions. That process depends on data that accurately reflects need. This data does not.

Donna Wilson, Tacoma