Letters to the Editor | Dec. 4, 2024

The Inquirer article asking why Democrats lost in the elections was interesting in what the people interviewed did not say. It was not a lack of time or communication failures. The real reasons were that under Joe Biden, our country had four years of failed policy plus a lack of a strong foreign policy that has put the world on the brink of war. The final issue was running a poor presidential candidate who was clearly unqualified for the job. This became obvious the more people were exposed to her and her rambling incoherent comments, or poor answers to even softball questions from a supportive press.

Remember, it was the Democrats who floated the idea of taking her off the ticket. Once it was obvious Biden could not win, they wanted an open primary to select a stronger candidate, but Biden and Kamala Harris derailed that strategy. So they were stuck with Harris, a weak candidate supporting the status quo. Please, enough of blaming the anti-women vote. Hillary Clinton was more disliked than Donald Trump, and Harris was a weak candidate. The Democrats’ loss had nothing to do with sex or race.

MG Del Rossi, Blue Bell

Daily, The Inquirer carries articles predicting the cruelty and chaos about to be unleashed right here in our city against our most vulnerable communities, our immigrant neighbors, LGBTQ folk, and anyone else who dares to resist. The threat is real and credible, and coming closer every day. Ordinary people are preparing to risk it all to follow their consciences. But where are our mayor, our City Council, our school superintendent, or anyone with institutional power to protect the sanctity of our neighborhoods, our schools, our streets, and homes?

So far we have heard not a word about any plan to make sanctuary city a meaningful term, to protect our right to choice, to dissent, to freedom from the political violence that is already appearing as malevolent individuals become more emboldened, accosting high school and college students with racist texts, and snarling, “Your body, my choice,” at women and girls. Clearly, we are on our own. I can only hope those of us who survive this will remember who led, who resisted, who stood with us through the storm, and who cowered, kissed the ring, abandoned us, and complied in advance.

Susan Saxe, Philadelphia

By granting a pardon to his son, while protecting himself from legal issues, Joe Biden has guaranteed his express passage to the bottom of the presidential barrel. He broke his campaign promise to unify Americans from the first day in office. If peace and prosperity are the generally accepted measurements of success for America’s leader, he achieved neither. Franklin Pierce, James Buchanan, and Andrew Johnson are almost always listed as the least effective leaders of our country, mostly for what they didn’t do. When historians determine that Biden be inducted into the club of failed presidents, the overwhelming rationale will be because of his decisions and actions. Biden’s dishonor will be valid, well-earned, and accepted by most.

Stew Bolno, Philadelphia

When the Senate holds confirmation hearings for Donald Trump’s cabinet picks, there should be one question asked of them first: Are you loyal to the Constitution of the United States, or are you loyal to Donald Trump? If they prevaricate when they answer and refuse to commit themselves or proclaim loyalty to the president, they must be rejected out of hand. Those who would lead our country cannot have two masters. Loyalty to a single person is exactly what this country took up arms for and fought against 248 years ago.

Bill Turner, Coatesville, doosewood@verizon.net

I was saddened to see the entire Sunday Opinion section of The Inquirer was dedicated to what I see as the promotion of the 76ers arena at Market East. Is The Inquirer now complicit with the mayor and City Council in railroading this massive development? If the arena proposal goes through, it will be a statement that Philadelphia is about the 76ers. Not that it is a world-class city for culture. Nor that it is the cradle of American liberty. Let’s all take a deep breath. All of this talk about protecting Chinatown and other nearby neighborhoods will be just that — talk. Where are the adults in the city who see the potential loss in quality of life if the arena is built?

Bill Pelle, Haverford, bill.to.write@gmail.com

The city has based the feasibility of the proposed 76ers arena on the premise that 40% of event attendees will take public transit, 40% will travel by auto, and the rest by other means. But as one city official has stated, “even marginal increases in auto trips above [the 40%] threshold would result in gridlock at critical intersections.” Accordingly, the 40% public transit number is essential for the success of the arena and (alleged) protection of Chinatown.

SEPTA states that furnishing additional trains capable of carrying that load from and to various suburban locations will require a net additional annual expense of $20 million, which it does not have and which it unequivocally asserts it cannot supply. The $20 million will have to come from somewhere, either the state, the city, or the 76ers. Does anyone really think the legislature will send an additional $20 million annually to SEPTA to subsidize the transportation of suburban people to sporting and other big-ticket events, or that Philadelphia will do so? The money will have to come from the 76ers, who thus far have given no indication they are willing to make that commitment. But unless that happens, the arena project is not feasible economically and should be rejected.

Judd Peskin, Philadelphia

As the postmaster for Devon, I want to assure you that the U.S. Postal Service is primed and ready to deliver exceptional service during the 2024 holiday rush. Thanks to the substantial progress USPS has made under the “Delivering for America” plan — a $40 billion investment aimed at revitalizing the national postal network — our operational, transportation, and delivery processes have never been more finely tuned. My dedicated team and I are fully prepared to once again handle the peak holiday season surge.

As you and your family prepare for the holidays, we encourage everyone to send their holiday mail and packages well in advance to ensure they reach their destinations on time, but we understand that sometimes cards or packages are sent at the last minute. This year, our recommended send-by dates for expected holiday delivery within the continental U.S. before Dec. 25 are: Dec. 18 for USPS Ground Advantage service and First Class Mail service, Dec. 19 for Priority Mail service, and Dec. 21 for Priority Mail Express service. For a complete list of recommended holiday mailing and shipping dates, please visit usps.com/holidayshippingdates.

And remember, the earlier you send, the better. We are honored and grateful for your trust in the U.S. Postal Service. Your postal team at the Devon Post Office is proud to be the most affordable, reliable way to send cheer this holiday season, and we’re ready to deliver exceptional service during the holidays and beyond.

Enid Vega, officer in charge, and Jumaanah Harps, postmaster, Devon Post Office

Join the conversation: Send letters to letters@inquirer.com. Limit length to 200 words and include home address and day and evening phone number. Letters run in The Inquirer six days a week on the editorial pages and online.