Letters to the Editor | May 27, 2025

Thank you to the Editorial Board for the beautifully written summary of Joe Biden’s contributions to life in the United States during the past four-plus decades of his public service. There are too many people out there who have no idea the degree to which their lives are better today because of his efforts in the legislative and executive branches of our government. If they had been, they would not have been taken in by the false rhetoric spewing from the current occupant of the Oval Office, clearly the most flawed individual to sit there in our lifetimes. It is my hope that with time, the focus on Biden’s delayed exit from the 2024 presidential race will fade, and that his reputation will be defined by his admirable character and his significant accomplishments.

Toni Tomei Culleton, Philadelphia

So we can spend $1 billion to outfit a “free” jet for one overprivileged billionaire, but we can’t afford to provide food assistance or access to medical care for poor children and adults? I’m sure the millions of people who will be deprived of Meals on Wheels, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, school breakfasts and lunches, available items in local food pantries, Medicaid, and other vital services will be so happy Donald Trump is getting his flying palace.

Jean A. Kozel, West Norriton

As a Christian minister, the severe cuts to life-sustaining programs resulting from the federal budget bill passed by the U.S. House are deeply distressing to me. I have on my heart those I have served as a minister who have relied on these programs to meet their basic needs. I have on my heart the period of unexpected hardship my spouse and I went through when we relied on Medicaid and SNAP during her early pregnancy with our daughter. I have on my heart the clear call my faith makes to share our resources so no one goes hungry or without healing care, and to “defend the rights of the poor and needy.”

Most attention has understandably been on the millions of people who would lose healthcare for whatever reason to satisfy the cuts to Medicaid and Medicare — yes, Medicare. We must also be alarmed by the massive cuts to basic nutrition programs. This will literally take food away from hungry children and elders. Such cruelty violates the beliefs of most Americans across the political spectrum. We must urge Sens. Dave McCormick and John Fetterman to oppose the House budget reconciliation bill.

The Rev. Nathaniel Mahlberg, Philadelphia

Recently, I drove across the Ben Franklin Bridge to Vine Street and then to the museum area, and from there along Kelly Drive to Lincoln Drive, through Mount Airy to the Route 309 expressway. At no time on the entire route did I encounter road surfaces that were smooth and safe until I reached Montgomery County. I will not drive that route again because it is in shameful and extremely dangerous disrepair. The city has allowed that once lovely drive to become one long road hazard. The Schuylkill Expressway and its feeder roads are also in dangerous condition and in desperate need of repair. Given the condition of the city’s roadways, how can the current administration justify spending multiple millions to build new facilities for the hapless and redundant sheriff’s office?

Mark Smith, North Wales

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