Letters to the Editor | Oct. 12, 2025

In a recent Worldview column, Trudy Rubin offered a number of criticisms of President Donald Trump’s plan for ending the war in Gaza started two years ago when Hamas and others broke a ceasefire and invaded Israel.

At least there is now a comprehensive plan on the table to discuss, thanks to the efforts of President Trump and the military successes of the Israel Defense Forces.

This is light-years ahead of the policies of the Biden administration, which were based on hollow statements like “Ceasefire Now!” “I have read the maps,” and “Don’t invade Rafah!”

Marvin Schlanger, Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.

When is a bicycle no longer a bicycle?

First, at one time (pre-eligible for a driver’s license), I was an avid bicyclist. I have made day trips of over 100 miles on a stripped-down Columbia carrying 20 or so pounds of weekend gear and provisions. I dreamed of the day I could drive. I rode by the law, stopped at stop signs, rarely, if ever, rode on the sidewalk, and reveled in the sense of freedom it gave me.

Today, the health and safety of pedestrians is being placed at risk by the advent of e-bikes and e-everything else on wheels — not to mention the total disregard by many of these e-riders for any laws restricting where and when these e-things should be ridden. It is time for laws to be updated so it’s clear to everyone that e-bicycles should be treated like other motor vehicles whenever they are being ridden.

If not, we will just become a nation of disrespect and disregard. I am not just looking for more laws; I am hoping that people wake up, pay attention, and do whatever they can to keep pedestrians from being injured or killed.

Philip A. Tegtmeier Sr., Honey Brook

What’s not being reported by the legacy media is that the so-called Medicaid cuts Democrats are screaming hysterically about in current budget negotiations are efforts by Republicans to have able-bodied men with no young children in their household work or volunteer a minimum of 20 hours a week in exchange for the generous government assistance they receive. Also, Republicans want to stop reimbursing hospitals for care given in emergency rooms to illegal immigrants. Because hospitals are overwhelmed caring for these immigrants, medical care is being denied to insured American citizens. And because illegal immigrants largely work “under the table” — paying little or no taxes — they essentially receive this medical care for free. Additionally, Republicans want to end the enhanced subsidy for Affordable Care Act premiums implemented during COVID-19. The pandemic is long over, and it’s high time the subsidies reverted to the amount prescribed in the original ACA legislation. Incredibly, Democrats characterize these commonsense and equitable reforms as heartless and unfair. I ask that the GOP hold the line, and the mainstream media accurately and honestly report about what’s at the root of the government shutdown.

Fred Hearn, Turnersville

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