Pension tension
Re: The July 12 story, “‘It is not self-dealing’: Miami commissioners vote to give themselves pensions.” I recall years ago when City of Miami District 2 Commissioner Johnny Wynton campaigned to raise mayor and commissioner salaries. He said the only way to get higher quality candidates, willing to work full-time, was to increase their compensation.
A public referendum was put forth and citizens voted in favor. I don’t recall, however, if anyone quit their day job to work full-time for the city.
To be an elected public servant is an honor and a privilege. Lucrative financial compensation and a lifetime pension (for just eight years of service) should not be the incentive.
Harry Emilio Gottlieb,
Coconut Grove
Life stages
I go about my daily life in the United States. When I travel overseas (usually to Third World countries), I am reminded of how privileged it is to be on the elderly side.
Total strangers will see me approaching wet, tiled steps and run over to offer a hand, putting aside where they were headed, to patiently accompany me safely to the top. Men, women and children will give up their seats without being asked. Security guards will escort me to the seniors’ only line and find a chair if it appears that I am weary. I enter a fast food establishment and the line is 20-deep, but then all the patrons call out to go to the head of the line, even though it means they will have to wait an extra five minutes.
There are many more examples which I won’t cite. My point, however, is that aging is the natural progression of life and it’s not a thing to be vilified. Yes, one does show signs of slowing down, but with aging also comes experience, wisdom, patience, tolerance, understanding, compassion and strength.
As one gentleman said when I offered to step aside to let others pass, “Just keep going lady, we’re all going to get there one day.”
This brings to mind the age issue of our presidential candidates.
How about asking President Biden to take a cognitive test and ex-President Trump to take a lie detector test?
Betsy Sharp,
Miami
Dangerous moms
Some school board members and candidates laud their association with Moms for Liberty. The Southern Poverty Law Center labeled Moms for Liberty an “anti-government extremist group” that promotes itself as a defender of “parental rights.” The Law Center cites intimidation and disruptive incidents at school board meetings and the group’s political alliances to Christian Nationalists and groups like the Proud Boys.
Moms for Liberty are also foot soldiers in support of Project 2025, the extreme conservative manifesto created to dismantle and privatize our public education system, funneling resources to private, mostly Christian-based schools. The plan calls for eliminating the Department of Education, teachers’ unions and federal funding for free school lunch programs and Head Start, while also gutting programs that support equity and inclusion.
This year we have the opportunity to elect candidates who support and believe in neighborhood public schools. Affiliation with Moms for Liberty should be a red flag.
Karen Adler,
Hollywood Beach
American ignorance
Millions of Americans have been taught to read and write via our nation’s educational system. However, critical thought is not emphasized nor is scientific methodology in many subjects across this nation. As a result, an extremely ignorant man was elected in 2016.
There is no room for denial of Donald Trump’s ignorance. He has never expressed intelligence in his many forceful and preposterous speeches. He has bragged about the quality of his brain and his memory but never have so many people in our history supported such ignorance. This can only happen if these supporters are less able to discern the difference between ignorance and intelligence. Obviously, millions cannot.
Every nation has a lifespan and a measure of influence on the world. Nations do not die overnight; it always takes a long time. America has been dying for many years. Controls by lawyers, businesspersons, religious and political and economic opportunists have been the most degrading elements of this demise.
Racism, misogyny for years, gun violence for the macho male, religious persecution of minorities and other forms of violence have infected this nation and will continue as long as the American educational system remains as it is today — ignorant, competitive, ineffective and degrading for millions of students.
Joe Fasulo,
Punta Gorda
NATO’s ‘dues’
Former President Donald Trump continually claims that NATO countries are delinquent in paying their dues. He has gone so far as to say that he will not help defend any NATO country that is behind in payments.
As a NATO Defense college graduate, I can assure anyone there are no “dues.“ There is simply an agreement that NATO countries will spend two percent of their gross domestic product on defense.
Jake Tapper, one of the hosts of the recent presidential debate, should have asked Trump just who exactly collects the “dues.”
David R. Carlson,
Miami Beach
Values matter
Because the news is consumed with President Joe Biden’s condition, I have naturally thought about what really matters. If the candidate is not well, it only makes sense to be concerned. However, when I vote for a president, I am not voting for Prom King or Queen, I am voting because I believe in that candidate’s policies. His or her life experiences are essential.
How does he treat other people? Do the leaders of other countries respect him? Did I feel an appropriate and suitable vice-president was chosen? Does the candidate share my moral values?
I know that my refrigerator has a better sense of morality than Biden’s opponent. The choice is a no-brainer. As we all know, Biden doesn’t lie and knows the difference between right and wrong. All of this was once a given.
Jeff Haller,
Cutler Bay
The Latino way
Many Cubans and other Hispanics, for the most part, tend to like a macho man type of leader, no matter how ignorant, immoral or despotic. Apparently, they also like a leader who despises them and the “s---hole country” from which they emigrated.
After all, they are the very reason a Castro, Maduro and Noriega regime became possible.
Horace G. Feliu,
South Miami
Don’t reject Joe
To reject President Joe Biden as the Democratic candidate would be a serious mistake and will likely result in the rejection of Vice President Kamala Harris as the running mate for any new selection for president. This is not only contrary to the Constitution but politically explosive for a large segment of the Democratic Party.
No matter how strong the argument is against Biden, we are stronger together than we are apart. It is true in politics as in life: “United we stand. Divided we fall.”
Our only goal is to defeat the demons of dictatorship and to preserve the institutions of a democratic society for all.
Bill Silver,
Coral Gables
Thinking ahead
Democratic Party leaders are publicly working themselves into a frenzy over President Biden’s decision to stay the course.
How will this affect decided and undecided voters? What is the fallout for down-ballot Democratic candidates?
Isn’t this spectacle playing into the hands of the opposition? When will Democrats learn prudence and discretion?
Sonja I. Pantry,
Miramar
Rue the day
U. S. Sen. Marco Rubio continues attacking Latino immigrants to win over Donald Trump’s love. There is only one proper name for Rubio — regretful.
Bernardo Lopez,
Fort Lauderdale
Fairway fitness
Is Donald Trump sick?
He looks as if he has lost weight.
Does he have cancer? Is he on chemotherapy or Ozempic?
He recently dared President Biden to a game of golf.
Is it to see who plays better?
Of course, Trump is better. While in office, he practiced every week riding in a golf cart.
Biden must accept the golf challenge, but he must insist both walk the 18 holes. Then we’ll see who is really fit.
Lisa Ben-Lipp,
Cooper City
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