Letters to the Editor | May 29, 2025

The appointment and confirmation of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services represents another low blow to the health of our fellow citizens. RFK Jr. is grossly incompetent, unqualified for this important position, and constitutes a major threat to our health, safety, and well-being. He was unaware of the difference between Medicare and Medicaid when asked by Senate committee members during his confirmation hearings, and remains a dedicated anti-vaxxer despite his public claims to the contrary.

His attacking mental health treatment and the effectiveness of behavioral health medications, including for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), further demonstrates his ignorance and incompetence. I am a retired neurologist with extensive experience treating patients with ADHD and can personally attest to the effectiveness of medical therapy in improving the quality of life in most of my patients of all ages. RFK Jr. should not be involved with any health-related policies and should be fired immediately, which unfortunately will not occur given our current incompetent leadership.

Jay Klazmer, Cherry Hill

Amid all the cruel and debt-ballooning measures in President Donald Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill, it’s far too easy to miss a one-line provision designed to destroy our democracy. This measure would rob federal courts of any power to make the executive branch comply with court orders and the rule of law. Our federal courts operate using funds appropriated by Congress. The House-passed bill forbids any court from using these funds to enforce a contempt of court citation in civil cases. The court could impose consequences only if the judge had previously ordered payment of a security or bond by the plaintiffs.

Simply put, only plaintiffs who can afford to pay will have any redress when the government violates their constitutional rights. This bill effectively neuters our courts and turns the president into a king. Think you’re safe from deportation because you’re a U.S. citizen? Think again. You’re protected by the Bill of Rights? Not if our federal courts can’t respond when the president or his allies lock you up for posting your opinions on Instagram. If you agree that no president should get a free pass to violate our constitutional rights, call your senators and representatives and tell them so.

Shobhana Kanal, Bala Cynwyd

I was disappointed to see zero mention of Sen. Dave McCormick’s trip to the Middle East in The Inquirer. I was shocked to see that, according to reports, he “praised Netanyahu’s leadership.” It seems that not only is Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu conducting a genocide, but he is also supremely unpopular even in Israel. The Atlantic reported in March that 70% of Israelis want Netanyahu to resign. It’s disgusting that our senator is fraternizing with today’s version of Pol Pot, let alone adding to Pennsylvania’s total investment in Israel bonds, which is around $56 million. That’s basically free money in addition to the weapons systems we’re giving them. The only praiseworthy government policy Israel has is free healthcare, which we should have here in the U.S., especially before we start giving money away to another country’s murderous rampages. This tone-deaf policy of McCormick’s is only one of many compelling reasons there have been weekly protests in front of his office every Monday at noon. I invite readers to attend.

Miriam Oppenheimer, Philadelphia

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