Letters to the Editor | July 21, 2024

Pennsylvania electric vehicle owners like me collectively groaned last week about the provision in the new state budget that mandates EV owners pay an annual registration fee to make up for lost taxes on gasoline. However, after some initial annoyance, let’s remember that we bought electric cars because we believe in individual responsibility and the power of collective action to fight climate change. The same mentality applies to our contributions to the maintenance of our highway infrastructure. To Gov. Josh Shapiro, I say that I’m proud to pay my part.

Martha Howlett, Yardley

Now that the U.S. Supreme Court has provided absolute immunity for “core” functions of the presidency and a presumption of immunity for a wide swath of official actions, some will point to the impeachment power as the check on presidential abuse of power. However, impeachment is relatively toothless since removal from office can be blocked by a tiny minority. A mere one-third vote of senators is all that is required for acquittal. Based on Federal Election Commission data from elections in 2016, 2018, and 2020, there are 34 Republican senators (sufficient to block removal) that were elected by only 7.7% of the votes cast for the Senate in those three elections. Thus, senators representing a tiny swath of the electorate can ensure a president with legal immunity is also not subject to removal for abuses of power. Combined, immunity and the weakness of the impeachment power provide an extraordinary opportunity for unchecked abuses of presidential power.

William W. Lang, Bala Cynwyd, bill.w.lang@gmail.com

I applaud Courtney Kaye and Rima Himelstein’s opinion piece informing parents about the dangers of limited sexual health education, and the ill impact of adolescents relying on social media for their health advice. Parents and caregivers can certainly help to advise their children and steer them toward more reliable resources; however, adolescents are often reluctant to speak openly and honestly with these individuals about sex, contraception, and sexually transmitted infections.

Although social media can lead teens to misinformation, it can also provide a way for them to take ownership of their health by utilizing informative and evidence-based resources. Integrating sexual health and media literacy education into school curricula normalizes these topics and empowers teens to use their tech savvy to take an informed approach to their sexual health. Education like this can expose adolescents to reliable sites like Bedsider.org, providing them with resources to use even when they do not feel comfortable talking to their parents, or even their doctor, about sexual health.

Julia Pickel, pediatric resident physician, Philadelphia

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