Letters to the Editor | Sept. 4, 2026
Inquirer readers on Labor Day, support for public transit, and presidential priorities.
Honest work
Labor Day is often seen as the unofficial end of summer — a long weekend for barbecues and family gatherings. But before enjoying the day off, we should remember the people whose work makes our daily lives possible. As a mail carrier, I see this every day. Behind every functioning neighborhood are workers who quietly keep life moving, including teachers, nurses, first responders, sanitation crews, farmers, and caregivers. Many work early mornings, late nights, and holidays. We often notice their work only when something goes undone.
As an Ahmadi Muslim, I was taught that serving others is an essential expression of faith. That value guides me on my route every day. Labor Day reminds us that our nation was not built by famous names alone, but by ordinary people willing to work, serve, and contribute — often without recognition. This Labor Day, let’s take a moment to thank those who keep our communities running. Every honest worker deserves our respect.
Farid Ahmad, Easton
Walk the walk
Inga Saffron’s column about being car-free or car-light was interesting and positive. We moved here in 2021 to eventually be car-free as we aged and are car-light now. We have volunteered with Save Our Train to keep the Chestnut Hill West line running. We take all forms of SEPTA and appreciate very much what is available. But I have to wonder how much continual advocacy transit, in all forms, has with our City Council and with our state representatives. Do Council members and their staff take transit, bike, or walk to work frequently? If not, it should be a requirement. If they had, maybe the new work on Broad Street would have been more thoughtful for pedestrians and bicyclists. Same question for Mayor Cherelle L. Parker and her staff. Perhaps she could take a page from New York’s mayor. The same goes for our state representatives. Our elected officials need to make it possible for people of all ages to get out of cars. If they only know a car-centric life, how do they effectively advocate for transit?
Liese Sadler, Philadelphia
More like Daffy
Recently leaked information from the Pentagon reveals that leaders of the U.S. European Command, the U.S. Pacific Command, and the U.S. Southern Command, along with the Navy’s top admiral, all formally disagreed with the administration’s Iran war conduct and planning. Troops and vessels are unevenly distributed, critical munitions are running out, and even homeland defense is weakened. This revealing show of no-confidence is a point when serious, competent civilian leadership should make a rational and considered about-face.
At a time when the more than 1.3 million people in active-duty service look to their commander in chief for strong, coherent leadership, this will assuredly not be happening. Over the weekend, Donald Trump instead reposted on his Truth Social account a meme showing a troop of rifle-toting Trump-like geese guarding his newly named “Lake America” from the Canadians, titled “Protected by Donald Ducks.” It is beyond shocking that while in violent war, our president, so frustrated and infuriated by his own incompetence, will simply hide in this absurd renaming fantasy for amusement. This is who we have in the dangerous real world where the rest of us live.
Joseph B. Baker, Honey Brook
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