Letters to the Editor | June 25, 2023
Inquirer readers on the importance of early childhood care, the rare move to censure Adam Schiff, and the ageist dismissal of Biden's accomplishments.
Early care
I am a surgical resident at a hospital in Philadelphia. My partner is a professor of public health, and we have two young children. We love our jobs and appreciate how we can help others, but it would be impossible for us to continue working if not for excellent childcare. Yet, early childhood educators are grossly underpaid. At a time when a child’s rate of growth and learning is the highest, we ignore the needs and take for granted the individuals who have committed themselves to teaching them. These educators earn below $13 an hour on average, and many work extra jobs to make ends meet. This is unacceptable. Our society must prioritize early childhood education. With our multibillion dollar surplus, I ask that Pennsylvania lawmakers pass the proposed investment in early childhood education and show that we appreciate the work these educators do for our children.
Jack DePaolo, Philadelphia
Schiff’s censure
In a rare move, U.S. Rep. Adam Schiff has been censured by the House. The vote was totally partisan, with only Republicans voting to censure the California Democrat. Schiff’s punishment was seemingly in retaliation for his steadfast pursuit to hold Donald Trump accountable for his role in fomenting an insurrection at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. This vote represents a vindictive payback, nothing more, and makes a mockery of the seriousness of the GOP majority in the House. The vote validates the criticism that Republicans are not really interested in governance, but rather in performative acts. Ironically, perhaps, this illegitimate censure vote may bolster Schiff’s candidacy for the Senate in the highly liberal state of California.
Ken Derow, Swarthmore
Youthful ignorance
The recent editorial, “Spread the news: U.S. economy is strong under Biden,” included the question as to why the president’s poll numbers don’t sync with his impressive economic record. What is evident is that the public is ageist and simply cannot comprehend that someone who is old and has a wealth of knowledge accumulated over many years of public service is exactly the leader we need. Many people aren’t embarrassed to say, “He’s old,” with no other explanation as to why they don’t like him. Never mind that he knows how to govern, is brilliant, quietly funny, and yes, given to gaffes (not a new thing for him). I understand this because I, too, am old. We are often perceived differently. For example, if we have momentary confusion with mobile technology, some younger person will reach to snatch the device out of our hand with a quick, “Here, let me do that,” as if we’re not capable of simple tasks, let alone complex ones. A young friend of mine recently admitted that he and his friends are unlikely to vote for Biden because he doesn’t “inspire” them. He has an intense dislike for Donald Trump but understands that Trump’s brashness and bravado make him appealing to young macho male voters.
Marguerite Sexton, Philadelphia
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