Letters to the Editor | Oct. 23, 2025

What we teach our children is a reflection of who we are. Given that math proficiency increased while reading proficiency slipped in Philadelphia, as reported by The Inquirer, we see what our schools and politicians value. Strong math performance will help our kids find jobs, but they will be unable to develop independent, critical thoughts without the ability to read and learn from new perspectives. Our kids may become good workers, but will struggle to identify and fight exploitation and inequality. This will only add to our current political crisis. Our leaders must make it a priority to increase reading comprehension so our children are equipped to improve the world for all people.

Owen Castle, Philadelphia

It’s really scary that the Philadelphia School District accepts that 75% students don’t meet state standards in math, and 66% don’t meet the standards in reading. That is embarrassing. It’s a shame the teachers will get a new contract, and the taxpayers will continue dumping money into this broken system. If this weren’t a public entity, it would have been driven out of business years ago.

Richard Donofry, Philadelphia

Not content with destroying the intangible institutions of our democracy, Donald Trump has now moved on to destroying the physical ones. Tearing down a part of the White House to build a ballroom — after having said the ballroom would not “interfere“ with the existing structure of the building — is both duplicitous and overwhelmingly arrogant. This is the building Andrew Jackson dubbed the “People’s House,” not some knock-off version of Versailles. To be spending money on a gold-dipped party room while millions of Americans will be losing their health insurance because of his bill canceling Obamacare subsidies is a modern-day “Let them eat cake,” and a destruction of our cultural and national heritage.

And you wonder why millions of us were out in the street chanting “No Kings.”

Linda Falcao, Baltimore

I was appalled to see cranes taking down the walls of the East Wing of the White House, fondly (or formerly) known as the “People’s House.” Donald Trump does not own that property, and he has no right to alter it. I believe kings do things like this.

Ed Devinney, Delanco

The scheme by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents to kidnap people on the bogus guise of old, low-level offenses has greatly impacted one family I know and several local communities, including Germantown and Lansdowne. Anovsack “Anou” Vongbandith is a Laotian father, husband, chef, and generous co-owner of Das Good Cafe in Germantown. Anou was snatched by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in Lansdowne in late July and is in detention at Moshannon Valley Correctional Center. He now faces deportation to Laos, a country he hasn’t seen since coming to the U.S. as a child refugee 45 years ago.

Anou was allegedly picked up regarding a charge 16 years ago, and in that time, he started two businesses in Germantown and conducted his regular immigration check-ins. He hasn’t caused any issues. He is so beloved that on Saturday, WHYY reported that 500 people came to Das Good Cafe to express their love and appreciation for Anou, and support his wife and restaurant co-owner, Anh. They have one message for ICE and Trump and our elected officials in Washington: Grant a stay of deportation.

Jayson Massey, Philadelphia

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