Letters to the Editor | Aug. 13, 2023

Part of me wants to join Jeff Gammage in his emotional farewell to Bruce Springsteen. Then there’s the side of me that realizes this will most likely be the Boss’ final tour with the E Street Band. Given the inevitabilities of age, why shouldn’t Springsteen grab whatever he can this time out — not only for his immediate family but also for bandmates and support personnel who’ve made the long journey with him? Remember the old lyric: Together they’re gonna boogaloo down Broadway / And come back home with the loot.

Anthony Nannetti, Philadelphia, giacomo747@aol.com

Those in the service industry shouldn’t be at the mercy of customers to make a living wage. They warrant better hourly pay from their employer. Tipping is an outdated practice. Workers show up every day, not knowing if there will even be customers. Why is their “take-home” pay reliant on how many customers they serve each day and how much those customers spend? I take umbrage with some of the “tipping suggestions” offered in your recent article. If I go to a bar and order a glass of overpriced wine while waiting for a table, why should I tip for a pour? Isn’t that the bartender’s job?

The problem is the existing system. Customers are tipping servers based on what they spend, not service. The more we spend, the more we are expected to tip. A server’s job is to serve. Why are we tipping them to do their job? Because their employer isn’t paying them a living wage. I think this burden needs to be placed where it should be: on the employer.

A tiered tipping system could be implemented for quality of service. This would give all service people an incentive to provide higher quality service and not just “do their jobs” and expect a tip based on what the customer spends.

Michele Guerin, Media

As an immigrant, I read with interest the recent op-ed about ways to support asylum-seekers. I’m all in. Unfortunately, the idea falls short when the author suggests that work permits be made available ASAP. It’s a great concept that doesn’t match up with reality. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services regulations require noncitizens to apply for and obtain work authorization before they can be lawfully employed. Sadly, the federal process averages around four years to complete. I agree with the author that more legal representation is needed so people know the truth about immigration. Let’s not waste time with ridiculous ideas and focus on what can be done to help immigrants such as myself.

Angus Love, Narberth, anguslove76@gmail.com

Many people have commented on the “unprecedented” nature of the indictments of Donald Trump. Refusing to do something because it is “unprecedented” is a lame excuse. Just because it hasn’t happened before doesn’t mean you don’t have to do the job you were hired and sworn in to do. Just copying from prior precedent is akin to copying homework. Stand up. Make a new path. Deliver justice to protect America’s democracy. Change the rules — don’t rely on precedent. Police and other public figures lose their pensions all the time when they are convicted of criminal activity. Even though it would be “unprecedented,” let’s strip away the lifetime Secret Service detail and the forever paycheck and all the other perks from any president if they’re convicted of a crime anytime — before, during, or after their term in office.

Barry Beck, Turnersville

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