Letters to the Editor | March 17, 2026

In Sunday’s Opinion section, Joe Sestak, Trudy Rubin, and Will Bunch laid out a very convincing accounting of the senselessness of another “endless” war in the Middle East. They also highlighted the lack of understanding that President Donald Trump and his administration have of the history and culture of that part of the world. Given this, why has Congress failed to exercise its constitutional responsibility to end this unlawful war? About 13% of our tax dollars go to funding a military that blindly obeys the orders of a bully president. War is not the answer. Sincere, peaceful, intelligent negotiations, and sensitivity to the needs of the people through community building initiatives are ways to avoid war. Resources spent on military actions could be redirected to address pressing social issues in the U.S., such as poverty, housing, and education.

Bruce Charlick, Jenkintown

The Inquirer has performed an outstanding public service by publishing three first-rate opinion pieces about the misguided war in Iran. Joe Sestak provides detail and context about issues such as access to rare earth minerals that hardly ever get attention in news coverage. He chillingly highlights the dominant position that China has achieved while the president’s been out playing golf.

Inquirer regulars Will Bunch and Trudy Rubin once again offer insights and perspective that all of us really need if we are to respond intelligently to the madness of our deranged president.

Thank you for your journalistic excellence.

Laslo Boyd, Philadelphia

In her most recent column, Trudy Rubin expressed outrage at reports that Russia may be providing Iran with intelligence on locations of U.S. troops. If true, we should all be furious — Russian collusion with Iran puts American service members directly in harm’s way.

Yet instead of imposing tougher penalties on Russia or strengthening U.S. support for Ukraine, Donald Trump has eased sanctions.

Meanwhile, lives have already been lost and Americans face the risk of retaliation from a war of choice launched without an imminent threat from Iran.

Politically, economically, and morally, this “little excursion” is already proving to be a grave mistake.

Maria Duca, Philadelphia

As a pediatric rheumatologist in Philadelphia, I care for children living with complex, chronic autoimmune diseases, like juvenile arthritis and lupus, which can cause lifelong pain and disability without timely treatment. But across Pennsylvania, Delaware, and New Jersey, too many families are waiting months or being forced to travel across state lines to get their child the care they need.

That’s because there are only a handful of pediatric rheumatologists in our state, with some regions having none at all. The shortage is growing worse still as a result of inflation, administrative burdens, and outdated physician reimbursement rates. We have created a system that discourages physicians from entering or staying in fields like pediatric rheumatology — and it’s children who are paying the price.

It’s time for our leaders in Washington to modernize physician payment to ensure updates that reflect the true cost of care and support the next generation of pediatric specialists. Without reform, families in Pennsylvania and beyond will face longer waits, longer drives, and worsening outcomes for children who deserve better.

Jay Mehta, Philadelphia

Join the conversation: Send letters to letters@inquirer.com. Limit length to 150 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.