Letters to the Editor | Nov. 7, 2022

Us independents are receiving media inquiries about the midterm elections: Who are you going to vote for and why? What issues matter most to you?

We are going to vote for who we think will best carry out the important and hard job of governing. That might be a Democrat, a Republican, an independent, or a third party. We care about an effective government that actually works together and actually represents the people. We care about having full voting rights and not being forced to affiliate with the Democratic or Republican Parties in order to exercise our right to vote in the primary. Sorry for the chip on our shoulder when asked what we think about the candidates when we can’t even vote for who gets on the general election ballot. Candidates will come and go, will be voted in and out of office, but that doesn’t address the outdated structures of our elections. Our election system is the oxygen of our democracy. Full voting rights for nonaffiliated voters, fair ballot access for all parties and candidates, and ending gerrymandering are not sexy issues, but unless we address them, our democracy surely suffocates.

Jennifer Bullock, Jenkintown, independentpa@gmail.com

An effective senator requires neither movie star looks nor debate-master poise. Senators should have the ability to listen, focus on, and offer thoughtful opinions (written or verbal) about proposed solutions to problems we face as a country. There is global inflation, pollution, and inequitable access to education and health care. States and communities also have local problems that may require federal expenditure or oversight to address. I am voting for the person who I believe will effectively promote safety and justice locally, nationally, and around the world, who wears their heart on their sleeve and stands up to bullies on behalf of us all. When we elect people who can also be graceful losers, who can continue to work alongside those who represent alternative and currently more popular opinions (knowing that within two or four or six years there will be new elections), then we will all be more secure.

Katharine Padulo, Philadelphia

It’s almost here. That magical time of year that many of us are so looking forward to. That’s right. It’s almost time for the end of the election commercial season. Those odious, obnoxious ads that we are bombarded with endlessly on television, radio, billboards, and probably even a few gas pump monitors. The level of lies, distortions, and ridiculous promises have reached new depths this year. The only conclusions I come to after watching this trash are: 1) few of these people are suited to public office (or any other position of responsibility), and 2) anyone that makes a decision about a candidate based on these ads should not be allowed to vote.

Ralph Schwendeman, Kennett Square

The majority of Republicans in the Senate and House know that Joe Biden won the 2020 election. Yet despite the threat to our democracy, they stand by, in silence. Were these same people subjected to cross-examination, based on facts, they would be forced to acknowledge that they choose politics over the truth. Now they abet a minority of extremists leading to another chaotic election, sure to be marred by dissension and violence.

If responsible Republicans were to reveal their true opinions in 2020, our election process would regain its integrity.

Eric Norlin, Coatesville

I understand why the exterior ballot envelope must be signed for mail-in ballots: Because the voter needs to be verified — just like they would be at a polling place, their signature must match the signature on record. But I don’t get why a date is so important on the exterior ballot envelope for mail-in ballots. If the sealed ballot is placed inside an authorized drop box before that box is closed down on Election Day, then obviously that ballot has been received on time. If a mail-in ballot is submitted through the postal system and that system is too slow to deliver it to the Board of Elections by 8 p.m. on Election Day, then it doesn’t matter what date is on the envelope — the ballot will not be counted. There should be no controversy whatsoever for undated mail-in ballots — in fact, going forward, that date requirement should be permanently eliminated.

Judy Sloss, Glenside, jsloss@comcast.net

On Thursday, the General Services Administration announced that no Inflation Adjustment Act funds will be used for fossil fuel-based equipment in its buildings. This restriction is basic to the Biden administration’s push to bring federal agencies into compliance with its 2030 climate target.

Alarmingly, Amtrak and the National Park Service are trying to move Philadelphia in the opposite direction. Both have plans to install new gas-fired burners for heating Philly’s historic buildings — Amtrak’s William H. Gray III 30th Street Station and the buildings in the historic district. These plans will lock these buildings into dependence on fossil fuels for decades.

Amtrak and the National Park Service should get in sync with federal climate policy and instead develop strategies to make their buildings green. They should not refit Philadelphia’s historic treasures in ways that increase global warming and local air pollution.

Elaine Fultz, Philadelphia

I am encouraged that the new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines recommend medical practitioners have a conversation with patients to warn about the risks of dependence and addiction and to discuss the use of non-opioid pain relief alternatives before prescribing an opioid painkiller. These guidelines underscore the importance of these conversations and will save lives.

Beginning in New Jersey, with the advocacy of the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey, Prevent Opioid Abuse has led the fight across the country to allow all patients and parents of patients to receive this important and lifesaving information — and has won the adoption of this commonsense measure in 18 states. We know these conversations are making a difference by raising awareness of the risks of opioids and the need to be aware of the signs and symptoms of dependency and addiction, driving down the number of new opioid prescriptions and saving lives.

A Brandeis University study conducted in New Jersey, the first state to adopt the requirement of conversation with patients regarding risk and sponsored by the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey, demonstrates the effectiveness of these conversations between doctors and other medical practitioners and their patients.

Elaine Pozycki, chair, Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey

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