Letters to the Editor | March 27, 2026

If the Democrats in the U.S. Senate claim to be the party that supports the middle class and working families, why do they decline to fund the U.S. Department of Homeland Security? Their refusal is the cause of long security lines at airports and — more importantly — Transportation Security Administration workers not being paid. How fair is that? These workers are providing essential functions and deserve their money.

The funding lapse is caused by the Democrats’ demands for changes in how U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement operates. Republicans have agreed to many of the changes and modified their funding proposals, but Democrats still refuse to approve the package.

Senate procedures are meant to encourage compromise to reach agreement on things like budgets. Compromise doesn’t result in either party getting everything they want. Democrats prefer to hold out for everything they want, while travelers wait in hours-long security lines, and TSA employees have to rely on charity to get everyday essentials.

Richard Wozniak, St. Augustine, Fla.

I am astonished that a county commissioner doesn’t understand the voting process enough to grasp that the primary elections are for the members of specific political parties to select a representative of their party. Having open primaries, as Josh Maxwell suggests in his recent op-ed, invites the possibility of the opposition selecting the weakest candidate to oppose in the November election — a scenario that would be the same as having the general manager of the New York Giants making the Eagles’ choices in the NFL draft.

It is not about denying anyone who wants to participate in the future candidate selection; it’s about ensuring the candidate in the fall election represents the majority of the party’s members and their preferences on the issues.

Steven Spier, Jenkintown

The founders, led by Alexander Hamilton, approved presidential pardons at the Constitutional Convention of 1787, writing that the president “shall have power to grant reprieves and pardons for offenses against the United States, except in cases of impeachment.”

There have been grotesque abuses of that power by President Donald Trump. In his first term, he issued a series of egregious pardons for lackeys, war criminals, and political allies. This year, he has outdone himself by granting pardons to the 1,500 rioters who beat police and stormed the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. Dozens of Capitol Police officers were seriously injured, and four people died on that day. Trump has pardoned a rogues’ gallery of donors, partisan allies, people with business ties to him or his family, and several major drug traffickers — despite his anti-drug stance. This included a convicted Honduran drug kingpin, President Juan Hernández. Trump, a convicted criminal, is contemplating a presidential self-pardon at the end of his term, even though the Constitution is silent about self-pardons.

This is not how the founders wanted pardon power to be used. For most of our history, presidents took the solemnity of pardons seriously. This is no longer the case.

It’s time to change the Constitution accordingly and remove the pardon pen from this president’s corrupt hands.

Ed Vreeswyk, Yardville

According to a recent Inquirer article, electric bills in Philly are rising, and we’re contributing more toward Peco’s already soaring profits. As the wife of one of the linemen who keeps the lights on, I have to wonder: Where is that money going?

Members of Local 614 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers perform one of the most dangerous and essential jobs in our society, but compensation and benefits do not reflect that reality.

Your recent story noted that linemen like my husband work with high-voltage electricity in extreme heat, freezing temperatures, and life-threatening storms, pulling 12- to 16-hour shifts to restore power for thousands of families. When power goes out, they walk away from the dinner table, holidays, birthdays, and their children’s milestones to restore service.

The sacrifices go beyond missed moments. Researchers have found that long-term shifts on power lines increase the cancer risk for electrical workers, meaning these essential Peco employees may be trading years of their lives to keep our infrastructure running.

The public rarely sees the risk, sacrifice, and skill behind this work, but they rely on it every day when they flip a switch, and the lights turn on. Without IBEW Local 614 members, modern life would grind to a halt.

Veteran linemen remember a time when companies truly stood behind the workers who build and maintain our electrical grid. That sense of respect has diminished.

As they negotiate their contract with Peco, these workers are asking to be valued with pay, retirement, and safe conditions that match the essential work they perform every day.

As bills rise and profits grow, why aren’t the workers who keep the system running seeing it?

Lindsay Carroll, Gilbertsville

As your recent article rightly points out, the proposed closure of Overbrook Elementary School stands in stark contrast to its strong performance and community support.

As school library volunteers with WePAC, we see students who are inquisitive, engaged, and eager to learn — who love reading and are filled with ideas about books we should acquire. We see warm, welcoming staff who greet every child by name as they arrive each day. Many have known students and their families for years — reflecting a culture of connection and safety that is foundational to learning.

Research shows that continuity is critical for learning, social and emotional development, and self-confidence. Overbrook students learn in a small-scale, personal environment and maintain continuity with dedicated adults from kindergarten through eighth grade — all elements that would be disrupted if the school closes.

Parents worry about sending kids to new schools via long walks and dangerous intersections. As your article notes, Overbrook has a higher attendance rate, better math and reading test scores, and lower serious incident rates than some schools that kids would transfer to.

While Overbrook’s facilities need improvement, this would be a worthwhile investment. Don’t let students and families lose this vital community asset.

Abby Spector, Karen Richter, and Jennifer LeBow, Bala Cynwyd; Rachel Schade, Philadelphia; and Jaime Pludo, Wayne

Italy’s decision to curb an outdated jus sanguinis citizenship system was long overdue. Italy faces the prospect of tens of millions of descendants abroad — around 18 million in the United States alone, and up to 80 million across the Americas — claiming eligibility. Many have never lived in Italy, do not speak the language, and have limited knowledge of its current affairs, politics, and culture, yet could still vote in national elections. The real issue, however, lies elsewhere: While access is tightened for distant descendants, nearly one million young people, children of migrants, born and educated in Italy, still struggle to obtain citizenship. Italian law continues to privilege bloodline over lived belonging.

Gabriella Romani, Philadelphia

I had a dream that the “God of Genesis” called together, to the City of Brotherly Love, all of the human leaders of the world’s organized religions who believe and worship him.

There were Reformed Jews, Conservative Jews, Orthodox Jews, Roman Catholics, denominational Protestants, nondenominational Protestants, Shia Muslims, Sunni Muslims, Latter-day Saints, Greek Orthodox, Russian Orthodox, and other sects, too.

In my dream, the God of Genesis commands all those religious leaders gathered that the easiest human solution for ending earth’s chaos, climate catastrophes, ignorance, poverty, and suffering — and thus to serve him — is to devote 100% of your love and energy convincing politicians to eliminate spending trillions and trillions of dollars every year on war-making and war preparation.

And then, I woke up.

Reggie Regrut, Phillipsburg

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