Letters to the editor for Saturday, October 26, 2024

Climate, water meeting

The past few years have taught us that we are in a new era of supercharged and destructive hurricanes, and that it is not enough to tape our doors and windows and lay down sandbags to prevent our houses from flooding. We must deal with the bigger picture of climate change and mitigating its causes and effects. Part of that is protecting the wetlands that protect us.

This was the focus of the “Climate, wetlands, and the right to clean and healthy waters” public meeting originally scheduled for Oct. 8 at the Cape Coral Library. It was a climate event cancelled due to a climate disaster: Hurricane Milton. It has been rescheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 29, 6-7 p.m. at the Cape Coral Power Squadron building in downtown Cape Coral.

This may well be the most consequential presidential election in our lifetimes, and there are ballot initiatives of profound importance. But there should also be no delay in protecting our wetlands because climate reality is impacting our daily lives in the form of rising insurance rates, decreasing property values, and threats to our personal safety.

Because it is called a “Right to Clean and Healthy Waters,” many people don’t realize this proposed amendment can protect our wetlands when other means fail, wetlands such as those in SW Cape Coral among which the Redfish Pointe development is proposed.

“Come hell or high water” isn’t just a phrase these days. Registration is through Eventbrite.

Mary Kay Robbins-Kralapp, Cape Coral

Voter harassment

Yesterday, as I approached the library on Orange Blossom, I had to run the gauntlet of eight people, arranged in four couples, wielding Vote No on 4 signs. As I made my way through, one gentleman from the group asked me how I was voting and when I answered that I was pro-choice and intended to vote yes on 4, he said, “You don’t look like a baby killer.” Although I was shocked, I calmly replied that I hadn’t killed any babies and went inside to renew my library card.

On leaving, another gentleman, perhaps coming to vote, nodded to me and asked sarcastically, “Where are the Yes on 4 people?” implying that there was no support for this position.

It gave me pause to think. Where were the Yes on 4 people? Perhaps there were some at other locations, but could it just be that harassing people as they enter a polling place is not how we roll? These No on 4 people were not giving information, they were trying to intimidate and ridicule. Anyone who values individual freedom to decide does not do that. But of course, the No on 4 people are of a different persuasion.

Nancy Chism, Naples

Abortion amendment

The article in Wednesday’s paper analyzed the claims being made against Amendment 4 and found all of them to be flat out false. The same analysis was done by NBC-2 a few days ago and reached the same conclusion. What are we coming to when our governor and his sycophants can just lie to us with impunity? This is not exaggerations; it is just lies. How can he get away with this? Why do we accept it?

John Schoemer, Fort Myers

Animal cruelty on ballot

Animal cruelty is a key issue on the November 2024 ballot. Florida Constitutional Amendment 2 does nothing to safeguard animals or the environment; in fact, it undermines these protections. This amendment is a covert effort by special interest groups to legalize inhumane practices such as steel-jaw traps, snares, clubbing, bear hunting with hounds, and gill net fishing — methods that are largely banned due to the suffering they inflict. Moreover, commercial fishing could lead to severe depletion of fish stocks in the Gulf, with potentially irreversible consequences.

Vanessa Franklin, Naples

Fitzpatrick for Bonita Council

I admittedly don’t follow local politics as much as I should. But I did have an opportunity to meet Carolyn Forbes and later the opportunity to speak with Jim Fitzpatrick. Jim Fitzpatrick, hands down, came across to me as the better, more qualified candidate.

The only thing Carolyn Forbes appears to have in her favor is that her husband, Fred Forbes, has name recognition. The event with Mrs. Forbes was one of the saddest political meet and greets I ever attended. The entire evening was dominated by Fred Forbes — he gave the speech she should have given and answered every question which was her job that evening. Mrs. Forbes contributed nothing; and it was obvious that she had no grasp of the issues in Bonita Springs and would be totally reliant on her husband (who can’t run but apparently wants to hold onto the seat one way or another). My takeaway was that I don’t like watching this charade in the current White House and I don’t want to see it happening in my backyard.

Conversely, I contacted Jim Fitzpatrick via his website and was pleasantly surprised — he took the time to call me and answer every question I asked him. He answered the questions directly which is the way it’s supposed to be. From our conversation, it was apparent that he, though being new to the political arena, was well versed in the issues facing our city and was able to articulate his positions clearly and concisely.

I encourage those who have not yet voted to carefully evaluate the candidates before casting your ballot for this seat. And understand a vote for Carolyn Forbes is a surrogate vote — Fred Forbes will be the one who will be filling that position. A vote for Jim Fitzpatrick is a vote for a genuine candidate who will be your genuine representative — he won’t have to consult with a former incumbent to be able to talk to you.

Mary Ellen Jones, Bonita Springs

Vote for Amendment 4

Fathers, brothers, sons, grandfathers, uncles, nephews: please keep in mind as you vote in this election that the Republican Party through the current Republican Supreme Court took away women’s freedom to control their reproductive rights which had been in place for 50 plus years.

Vote for Amendment 4 and vote against Republicans candidates who supported the overturning of Roe.  Do not think for a minute that the Republican Party will not put in place a country-wide abortion ban should Trump get back in power.  At that point any state amendments supporting a woman’s right to reproductive freedom will no longer be in place.

JoAnn Stehr, Sanibel

Blunt vs status quo

I am worried about the direction our country is taking.  I am looking for change when it comes to improving our economy, closing borders, and permitting only legal immigration.  We need to stop gender misinformation and wokeism, respect law and order and support peace through strength, not appeasement.  Simply put, current policies of Biden/Harris are just not working and need to change.

This election is not about Donald Trump but about voters like me who are angry.  I want a street fighter who will reverse the influence of lobbyists and special interests.  I want an outsider who will “blow up” the current system of DC elites that are not listening and say people like me are bigoted, homophobic and racists for not accepting their fundamental changes to my country.

Fair or not, that is what I see in Trump.  He is not perfect.  He is often blunt and nasty and says things that are embarrassing.  But I do not care because I want a to change and restore sanity, respect, and strength to my country.

Frank Mazur, Fort Myers

Trump and Project 2025

Donald Trump has told us exactly what he will do if elected. Project 2025 outlines the plan and although it is a bit long, summaries that accurately represent it are readily available. General John Kelly, who served as Trump’s chief of staff, “broke ranks" to share what he knows from firsthand experience working side by side with the former president and says Trump's words and actions meet the definition of a fascist. While we all have specific policy issues that are important to us, we don’t need to abandon our views by voting to preserve the continuation of our republic. The Constitution of the United States, our democracy allows us to have a say and influence policy decisions. If Trump and Project 2025 become the law of our land, that power and influence will be in jeopardy. Immigration, abortion and the economy are issues we can impact through our representatives in Congress as long as our democracy survives. It’s up to us to take the higher road and vote for the preservation of our Constitution. That is what will keep our country great.

Susan Kaercher Meyers, Naples

Democrat Voters Guide

I want to personally thank the person that handed me a Democrat Voters Guide at the Cape Coral Library. I knew I wanted to vote for mainly Democrats, but I didn't know about the justices, the amendments and all of the lower-level candidates.

As I drove in the driveway of the library, I was overwhelmed by all the candidate's and amendment signs, but then I saw this guy in a yellow triangle of cheese on his head. He was sitting next to a large sign that said Democrat Voters Guide. He was holding a guide and a glossy picture of Kamala Harris. He didn't stop me long but told me "Here is a sample Democrat ballot and a picture of the next president of the United States." I remember thinking at the time, I sure hope he's right. I then found a parking place and waited in line for about 20 minutes before voting for the candidates of my choice. I found the voters guide very helpful and streamlined the whole voting process. I encourage everyone who is voting for Democrats to pick up a voters guide and say hi to the guy in the funny yellow cheese hat.

John Mark Simon, Cape Coral

Trump's disturbing admiration

Is Trump’s statement about the generals that he prefers being reported anywhere on Fox? No surprise Trump denies the quote below — sure, I believe a convicted felon who notoriously hates being fact-checked.

“I need the kind of generals that Hitler had,” Trump reportedly said during a private White House conversation, according to Jeffrey Goldberg, citing “two people who heard him say this.” “People who were totally loyal to him, that follow orders,” Trump added.

The dangers of this statement can’t be overstated. Praising Hitler’s generals — a regime responsible for some of the most horrific atrocities in history — reveals a disturbing admiration for blind loyalty over moral judgment or ethical leadership. Trump’s desire for such authoritarian control is chilling. I’m certain the Greatest Generation who went to war against Hitler would be horrified. They fought to ensure that such ideologies would never take root in the U.S., yet here we are, with a former president openly praising a dictatorship’s military leadership.

This isn’t just empty rhetoric — it fits with Trump’s ongoing pattern of undermining institutions, demonizing dissenters, and stoking division. His words reflect a preference for a regime where obedience to him would override democratic principles and human rights. For Americans who still support Trump, it’s worth reflecting on the dangerous implications of following a leader who openly admires the authoritarian model responsible for unimaginable horrors. Is that really the type of leadership we want to endorse?

Mary Duncan, Estero

Lindsey Graham comments

Over the past week loquacious Lindsey Graham has been quite outspoken about the revelations of Trump’s affinity towards fascist doctrine made by former Cabinet members generals Mark Milley and John Kelly. Now bear in mind that Lindsey flipflopped over Trump’s qualifications for the presidency until Trump invited him to Mar-a-Lago for a round of golf and a meatloaf sandwich which magically awakened Lindsey’s vituperative advocacy.

Lindsey sees himself as an expert on military affairs based upon his 30 years of military service mostly in the Judge Advocate’s office, thus his entire frame of reference is based upon being a desk warrior and a capricious politician with influence for sale which he calls “political capital.”

Now, ask yourself, who do you think has the most veracity, character, and honor to fulfill their oath to the Constitution – two highly respected generals who have spent a lifetime in the military as field and combat commanders in actual wars or a weekend military lawyer conducting a court martial?

Leo Boghosian, Bonita Springs

Not this man, Republicans

So, I understand that each of us has chosen the political party that best represents our views on how to address the economy, the budget, foreign relations, environmental issues, and regulatory reforms.  And I do agree that there are many opinions on the ways that America should allocate the budget, or on whether or not we should stand by the governments of our allies, or even, who are allies are. These issues usually are handled through discussions and compromises in the House and Senate. We have in the past had many robust discussions and eventually came to some consensus on how to proceed.  We have agreed to disagree, worked with the compromised solution and voted for whomever we thought would represent our positions better in the next election cycle.

We look at how the candidates react to criticism, how they persuade other leaders to agree with our policies, and how they can tactfully respond to even our staunchest rivals. We also look at the demeanor and the character of the candidates as we know they are the face of our country around the world. We want someone we, our children and the world can look up to as a role model of integrity and trust.

Calling their rival names, telling vulgar stories, praising dictators and demanding investigations of those that disagree, threatening violence, or suggesting we shut down media outlets who publish unflattering stories is not the appropriate person for the job.

Surely there must be a better representative of the GOP policies than THIS man.  It’s too late now to change the candidate. The only possible solution to put our country back on track to civility and respectful leadership is to not have this man in power.

You don’t have to change parties or change your political beliefs, but, just this once, vote for Harris. Or don’t vote at all if you just can’t vote blue. You can go back to voting Republican again next time.

Joan Fanelli, Fort Myers

Trump's priorities

Duty, Honor, Country; Mission, Men, Self: These two sets of three words were fundamental to what I was taught as a young infantry officer before deploying to Vietnam and later serving with several Special Forces units.

Unfortunately, Mr. Trump seems to have no fundamental understanding of, or commitment to, the first of these.

His priorities as to the second — Mission-Men-Self — are the opposite of what is essential for a good leader, whether on the battlefield or as an elected leader. The mission — the good of the country — should be first and then all those they lead, not just what benefits the leader personally and then those who parrot what he says.

Do I agree with some of Mr. Trump policies? Yes. Do I disagree with some of Ms. Harris’? Absolutely.

Yet, for me to vote for someone as president, I ask myself two questions: Would I want to put my life in their hands to lead me in combat? Would I trust them to have my back if they were fighting by my side?

Sadly, I cannot answer Yes for either of these regarding Mr. Trump. I believe I have a better chance with Ms. Harris regardless of her shortcomings.

David Land, Naples

Best economic position

We have been hearing a lot of doom and gloom about the U.S. economy lately. A recent article in the British publication, The Economist, titled “The American economy has left other rich economies in the dust,” is worth reading. The article states that the economic output of the U.S. is 40 percent higher than Europe and Canada and 60 percent higher than Japan. Average wages in the poorest state, Mississippi, are higher than the wages in Britian, Canada and Germany.

Since the start of 2020 U.S. real (inflation adjusted) growth has been three times that of the G7 countries. Among the G20 countries, America is the only one whose output and employment is above pre-pandemic expectations.

The article contends that immigration from the southern border, while politically contentious, has allowed the labor force to grow, particularly in the hard, dirty jobs that many Americans have no interest in doing.

Yes, we still have problems with inequality and the squeeze that the inflation of the past few years has created for some people. We can argue about which economic plan will be better going forward but should applaud and be proud of the fact that we are in the best economic position of any of the other rich countries.

William Sartoris, Fort Myers

This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Letters to the editor for Saturday, October 26, 2024