Letters to the Editor | July 31, 2023

Philadelphia is sweltering. Heat extremes are reported nationwide and globally. They are dangerous and put water, power, and patience in short supply. Internationally, migration driven by heat extremes, water scarcity, and crop failures is increasing. Conflict and more migration follow. As the federal budget is debated, U.S. Sens. Bob Casey and John Fetterman will confront the interconnected nature of climate impacts. Prioritizing international conflict prevention along with domestic infrastructure spending and climate impact mitigation is smart budgeting.

The House slated $886 billion for the military. The Institute for Economics and Peace reports that conflict costs are reduced by $16 for every dollar spent on conflict prevention. Three conflict mitigation programs risk cuts instead of increases. Investing in atrocity prevention programs, nonviolent conflict resolution, and complex crises interventions for just $90 million of the U.S. Agency for International Development’s $63 billion budget request could go a long way toward reducing climate-induced conflict.

Helene Hilger, Philadelphia

Though I don’t often find poignancy in the Thursday Food section, the article by Michelle Myers offered just that. Ostensibly written about an ice cream recipe created by her mother, the writing conveyed so much more. In describing her mother, she painted a portrait of a remarkable and resilient woman. Faced with failure after their first try, her mother created something delicious that was able to be shared at school the next day. The lesson she had taught her daughter had much more to do with “making a way out of no way,” which should serve us all. Thank you.

Joan McCarney, Warminster

While I applaud The Inquirer for covering the school budget crisis and Gov. Josh Shapiro for thinking broadly about education, it is inadequate reporting — and poor governance — if the quality of the schools is not assessed before more money is budgeted for them. And which schools, public or private, do the job of educating students. There is no other service, product, or necessity today in which we assume that spending more results in more success. As it is, we in America spend more per student than many other developed countries — with lesser results in the objectively quantifiable subjects of math, science, and reading.

Adriana della Porta, Philadelphia

It is very exciting to read in The Inquirer or to see on TV that the Powerball or Mega Millions has reached $1 billion (or some other outrageous sum). But, in my opinion, it is somewhat obscene for one person to win such a huge amount. Most players are average working people who would not fully know what to do with such a sum — me included. My idea is for the lottery people to pick two sets of winning numbers when the jackpots reach $500 million. Then, if a player has one of the winning numbers, they will get half of the jackpot, and the other half, if not matched, could grow to $500 million again. If no one wins at this amount, then three sets of numbers would be picked at $700 million. This would increase the chances of winning a tidy sum, and I think more people would play the games. I know I would be a more frequent player.

Mike Silverman, Willow Grove

I taught students English at Cheltenham High School in Wyncote from 1966 to 2001. My former students overwhelmingly agree that they received an excellent education in our school district. There was proper oversight and accountability between the school board and the administration and between the administration and the teachers, but there was also a high level of trust. We were given the freedom to do our job without someone constantly looking over our shoulders and questioning our decisions. If we hired a curriculum specialist, we trusted that person’s judgment.

Being trusted meant our school officials believed in us and were counting on us. This was very motivational for both teachers and students. Where there is trust, there is a feeling of safety. School districts such as Central Bucks make a huge mistake when they elect school board members who have a political agenda and who are suspicious of administrators, teachers, and the curriculum. If a certain level of trust is missing, this will have a terrible impact on the morale of the entire staff. No wonder administrators and teachers are leaving our profession in droves.

Tom Sexton, Philadelphia

The op-ed by Chris Neary is spot on (“My brother was paralyzed by gun violence. My father stepped up”). During my career working in communities, I was continually amazed by the fortitude, kindness, and spirit of family members and neighbors who provided care to individuals in their homes and neighborhoods. Often, this was for no compensation, or barely minimum wage. Consider how important basic care is to you or for one of your loved ones. As a society, we should support legislation supporting the rights of the disabled and the increase of wages for those who care for our most vulnerable folks. It also makes sound economic sense to help people to remain in their homes. I often heard caregivers say a version of the important quote by Travis Manion: “If not me, then who.”

Kathleen Muller, Glenside

The most recent indictment of Donald Trump asserts that the former president engaged in improper acts to retain classified documents that were required to be turned over pursuant to a lawfully issued subpoena. The indictment does not target any political party; it alleges improper actions engaged in by a former president who just happens to be a Republican.

Trump’s improper actions, which are of no apparent benefit to him, raise serious issues regarding his mental stability. It is doubtful that as a lay person, he would qualify for the necessary security clearance for many government jobs; let alone qualify for a government job requiring the level of clearance possessed by the president of the United States. I am a registered Republican, but could not in good conscience consider voting for an individual that engages in conduct that raises an issue regarding his reasoning and mental stability. I don’t understand how any rational individual could feel otherwise.

Martin Faigus, Philadelphia

The Inquirer Editorial Board’s appropriate critique of Donald Trump last week in the editorial “Pay attention to Israel” only tells half the story. President Joe Biden is similarly culpable of Trump’s listed flaws. Trump subverted American democracy? Biden’s war with the Supreme Court included 2022 White House support to illegally protest outside justice’s homes. Trump fawned over Putin? Biden placated dictatorial regimes in Saudi Arabia and Venezuela to lower fuel prices. Trump under indictment? The entire Hunter Biden morass implicates the president, who also chooses to pretend a 4-year-old granddaughter does not exist. Trump eliminates government agency independence? Biden is attempting the equally dangerous reverse approach, as his executive agencies are so prone to overreach that the Supreme Court has had to react. The board was only half correct. This country needs to be done with the “leadership” of both these men. America needs to support an alternate choice.

E. Berinson, Cherry Hill

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