Letters to the Editor | Sept. 18, 2024

Donald Trump is by far the best choice for president. The policies he will implement have a proven record of success. When Trump secured our southern border, the crime rate was much lower, and we were all much safer. Local and state government budgets were not stressed or overwhelmed by expenses associated with housing and caring for immigrants. Trump’s economic policies ensured that gas and other fuel prices were low. Groceries and other consumer goods prices were low. The inflation rate was low.

Trump built up our military forces and created the U.S. Space Force, making our country and the world a much safer place. Trump will again make our country energy-independent by drilling more gas and oil wells. This will ensure that we will not have to send our young men and women to the Middle East to trade their blood for oil. Kamala Harris’ economic policies are not in line with mainstream Democratic Party members. In the 2020 primary, Harris was only able to garner 2% of the vote. The economic policies she supports will leave empty store shelves. Her choice of Tim Walz over Josh Shapiro for her vice president is an indication that she has not abandoned her true beliefs. Both Harris and Walz are wolves in sheep’s clothing who are not in line with mainstream Democratic Party members. You may not like some things, or anything, about Trump, but at least you know what you are getting.

Edward J. Smitreski, Northampton

Former U.S. Rep. Mickey Edwards (R., Okla.) may be stating the obvious in his recent op-ed, but it bears repeating: Former President Donald Trump’s skills as a leader of the free world never surfaced in his first term. The only skill Trump has perfected since then is hate-filled rhetoric and lying on an industrial scale. As the leader of the free world, he is a figure of fear, insult, and ignorance. As commander in chief, he has offended military leaders and mocked the sacrifice of veterans.

To be fair, the world’s foreign policy hot spots have challenged American presidents for decades at the terrible cost of lives and treasure. One of the best examples of a president’s foreign policy skill was President Bill Clinton’s role in bringing an arms cessation to the conflict in Ireland. He talked and listened at briefings, asked questions, and challenged double-talk. He worked around the insidious nature of British influence within the U.S. Department of State and picked a skilled political leader in former U.S. Sen. George Mitchell to press home the peace objectives. Trump claims he does not need briefings and goes with his gut. Voters should look at Trump as the empty suit he is and do likewise.

John M. Corcoran, chairman, American Brexit Committee, corcoranesq@aol.com

Why does the media constantly cover the former president and give him so much publicity? They know that’s what he craves, and it is not fair that he gets more attention than anyone else. In 2016, Donald Trump bragged about not spending money on ads because the press gave him so much free publicity. Journalists should have learned something from that. It is time to curtail favoritism to Trump. Stop showing his rallies repeatedly. Stop showing his picture every day. Stop writing and talking about him on a daily basis. We have a very important election coming up, and it’s time for the media to play fair. Both candidates deserve equal time and exposure.

Marlene Bronson, Westlake Village, Calif.

The new 76ers basketball arena should be built somewhere in Schuylkill Yards. There’s plenty of space to have outside gathering areas, unlike in Center City. The unions, IBEW Local 98, and Mayor Cherelle L. Parker will have their 9,000 jobs, and the Sixers will have 76 Place and still have their public transit access. Fans would come from New York, New Jersey, and Delaware on Amtrak. That would be in addition to SEPTA. So that’s both a bonus for the Sixers ownership and more people using public transportation like they want. We have to save Chinatown, Washington Square West, and revitalize Center City with a realistic plan. Also, our kids need the AMC theater and Round1 Bowling and Arcade for after-school and weekend activities to keep them out of trouble.

Michael Miller Jr., Philadelphia, michamille@icloud.com

Kudos to The Inquirer for its excellent coverage of American football and its sad result in so many cases: concussions. They are not inevitable, but concussions happen so often, and are so tragic, that football should be avoided by boys and young men. There are sports in our world that are so much healthier, like soccer (the football that most of the world plays). Why should boys and young men endanger their brains and their careers with something so toxic and so dangerous to life and limb?

Gordon Bennett, Coatesville, gordybennett1743@gmail.com

The NFL is playing a long game in developing an international audience for American-style football. As U.S. parents become increasingly aware of the long-term dangers of concussions, there will be fewer boys coming up through the ranks of elementary and high school football programs. The industry will need to look overseas for its future supply of players as well as fans.

Vincent Ziemba, Philadelphia

As the United States stands on the threshold of a pivotal decision regarding its future, Puerto Rico’s future also hangs in the balance — an issue of great concern for the estimated 350,000 eligible Puerto Rican voters across Pennsylvania. Puerto Ricans are watching to see how candidates show their love, or lack thereof, for la Isla del Encanto.

When Hurricane Maria ravaged Puerto Rico in 2017, the island found itself in dire need of assistance, but calls for aid faced unjust hostility and delays in Washington. President Joe Biden changed the federal government’s response to Puerto Rico upon assuming office, swiftly dismantling harmful restrictions placed by his predecessor, and enabling a more seamless flow of recovery funds. This marked a hopeful shift away from more than a century of neglect of Puerto Rico toward one where federal agencies worked to address the needs of Puerto Ricans.

Through the American Rescue Plan, legislation that allocated nearly $4 billion in relief, Puerto Ricans saw financial aid for families for the first time because of the enhanced child tax credit and increased nutrition assistance for vulnerable populations, among other policy measures. These provisions, along with historic investments in renewable energy, not only provided relief for Puerto Rico but also laid the foundation for long-term economic stability on the island.

As we approach the next presidential election, Puerto Rican voters across 50 states are in a position of significant influence. Puerto Ricans in Pennsylvania — given their voting potential in a must-win swing state — particularly can shape the trajectory of Puerto Rico’s relationship with the U.S. To my fellow Puerto Ricans, as we get set to vote in November, let’s safeguard the advancements made by the Biden administration on the island and choose a path that perpetuates this legacy of support for Puerto Rico and our people.

Frankie Miranda, president and CEO, Hispanic Federation

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