Letters to the Editor | Feb. 7, 2025

Philadelphia (indeed, all of America) is reeling from the tragic events of the past few days. We experienced a midair collision between a military helicopter and a passenger airplane, a Temple student falling off a pole to his death while celebrating, and the crash of a medical plane in Northeast Philly and ensuing destruction on the ground. Any one of these events could cause emotional distress. We have to deal with three tragedies. Mayor Cherelle L. Parker asked for prayers. We are Philadelphia. We are as tough as a snowball thrown at Santa Claus and as soft as a Tastykake krimpet. We will pull together and do whatever it takes to help repair the lives and property damaged by the crash. We are Philadelphia, and this is who we are and what we do.

Sheryl Kalick, Philadelphia

I was watching the evening news with David Muir Friday night when he announced a plane crash in Northeast Philadelphia near Cottman Avenue and Roosevelt Boulevard. I couldn’t believe what I had just heard. I lived in Rhawnhurst, just a few blocks from Roosevelt Mall, most of my life. I couldn’t tell from the videos and photos where the plane had gone down. But when I finally realized exactly where it had crashed, I saw an act of God despite the horror of the event. If that plane had hit just a short distance from the actual site, scores of shoppers could have been killed, or the mall could have been destroyed, or we could have seen a repeat of the 1985 MOVE incident in the blocks of rowhouses south of Cottman. Yes, God got our attention — in a variety of ways.

Mike Egan, Plymouth Meeting

We appreciate The Inquirer’s coverage of voter registration initiatives in Philadelphia’s health-care facilities. With their large reach and position as trusted messengers, Philadelphia hospitals have been invaluable partners in the Committee of Seventy’s work to provide voters with accurate, nonpartisan resources to ensure they are prepared for every election. Research shows an intrinsic link between civic participation and community health. Many hospitals, including Penn Medicine and others affiliated with the Committee of Seventy, have been early advocates for engaging health-care providers and patients in the democratic process.

These initiatives are strictly nonpartisan, aimed solely at increasing voter participation regardless of political affiliation. By offering registration opportunities and supporting patients in securing emergency absentee ballots, we reach individuals who might otherwise face barriers to civic engagement due to health concerns or limited access to traditional registration sites. We encourage all health-care institutions in Philadelphia to work to ensure the communities they serve are connected to voting resources. Whether through partnerships with nonpartisan organizations like Vot-ER or through independent initiatives, every health-care provider can help ensure patients’ voices are heard. Together, we can make sure eligible voters in Philadelphia can engage in decisions about our future.

Lauren Cristella, president and CEO, Committee of Seventy, and Kevin B. Mahoney, CEO, University of Pennsylvania Health System

Members of Congress have difficulty getting by on a salary of $174,000, having to pay $6 (or more) a dozen for eggs, as I do. Never mentioned are the many perks they get, costing taxpayers millions of dollars. Mail, travel, a staff of 18, no citations for illegal parking in Washington and mileage when they’re away, meals, and every add-on they can think of. Many have outside incomes, as well. And why do companies and individuals spend billions during election periods? What will they get in return? Elon Musk gets billions in contracts for space travel. While hourly incomes are as low as $7.25 an hour for many of us, which is poverty level. Those in Congress choose to run for those offices. It’s a prestigious job. Live with it. Their adherence to the Constitution is primary to their constituents and to the American people.

Philip Seymour, Downingtown

Donald Trump could be known as the greatest U.S. president if he got the six wealthiest people in the United States — Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, Mark Zuckerberg, Larry Ellison, Larry Page, and Bill Gates — to donate $1 billion or more to a fund to help those affected by situations beyond their control, such as the fires in California, or Hawaii, or floods in North Carolina, and other calamities. Certainly, donating that amount would not affect their lifestyle in any way, and they couldn’t spend that amount of money in 50 lifetimes. Trump would be known as the president who rebuilt America, and that expense would not come out of our federal tax dollars and impact the military budget or other functions of the United States. This special fund could be used instead of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which is now used to assist citizens in similar circumstances.

Al Lyons, Marlton

I submit that the answer to homelessness and the lack of affordable housing, in Philadelphia and across the nation, has the same solution: Change the minimum wage from the outrageous amount of $7.25 an hour to $20 an hour, or even more. Take the difference from the corporations and the ultrarich, and these workers that we depend upon every day will be able to find and afford housing that will provide basic comfort and security. We have for too long seen low-income workers as those suffering from their own poor choices and lack of work ethic. I submit that a real living wage will lift most of these people into the lower middle class and provide for domestic security for the populace at large. If the wealthy and corporations object to their loss of increasing wealth at the hands of the great unwashed, I say it is too bad for them. They have spent too long drinking at the trough of inequality and ignoring the suffering of those they pass by every day in their fancy cars, while not recognizing the value of their contributions.

David Preefer, Penn Valley

Californians suffered devastating losses from raging wildfires — natural catastrophes fueled by climate change. Of the 20 most destructive fires in California history, 15 have occurred in the last decade. While these fires may seem distant, the climate crisis is impacting us here, as well. Philadelphia has experienced record-breaking heat waves, with temperatures rising faster than the national average. Extreme heat isn’t just uncomfortable, it worsens air quality, exacerbates health conditions, and disproportionately impacts vulnerable populations. Flooding from stronger storms, such as those caused by Hurricane Ida in 2021, has devastated homes, businesses, and infrastructure, leaving communities to bear the financial and emotional toll.

Meanwhile, fossil-fuel companies reap massive profits while everyday people pay the price in health costs, insurance premiums, and tax dollars spent on disaster recovery. Decades of misinformation and corporate lobbying have stalled climate action, worsening the crisis. It’s long past time to demand action to curb emissions and transition to clean energy while holding big polluters accountable.

Ellen Wilson, Blue Bell

Join the conversation: Send letters to letters@inquirer.com. Limit length to 200 words and include home address and day and evening phone number. Letters run in The Inquirer six days a week on the editorial pages and online.