Trump/Vance Victory Threatens Seniors’ Livelihoods
Lindenhurst, LI: As a senior who relies on Social Security and Medicare/Medicaid to survive financially, maintain good health, and be independent, I am very concerned about the continued existence of these vital programs, especially as we approach the November election.
Project 2025 leader Kevin Roberts, whose “180-day plan for America” for the next Republican administration includes details on budget cuts and major changes to Social Security and Medicare/Medicaid, has delayed the release of his new book until after the election. The book’s foreword was written by Donald Trump’s running mate J.D. Vance, even as Trump and his campaign have tried to distance themselves from Project 2025 (despite being directly linked to it). This is an obvious attempt at deception, keeping many Americans in the dark about what might happen if Republicans are elected.
With all of Trump’s lies and distortions of the truth and the complete U-turn by Vance (a former “anti-Trumpist” who declared Trump a threat to our democracy), who could believe that Project 2025 would not be implemented under a Republican administration? This plan and its 900+ pages of extreme and revolutionary changes are reason for all Americans, especially seniors, to be extremely worried about the future. Kamala Harris and Tim Walz have both said they would protect Social Security and Medicare/Medicaid and seek to expand benefits for seniors, publicly supporting plans to strengthen these programs.
Playing with these beneficial programs is a short-sighted and dangerous approach. When it comes to vital and beneficial government programs, it is essential to prioritize stability over chaos. Larry D’Angelo
Things are getting better
Manhattan: Ready to win / Ready to lead / Ready to help / Ready to succeed / Giving us promises / Giving us light / Giving us strength / To do what’s right / Keeping us safe / Keeping us strong / Vote for Kamala / You can’t go wrong / Say yes to Kamala / Let’s help her win / Our future awaits / So let’s begin. Phoebe Celentano
Equal opportunities
Astoria: To spokesman Dennis Middlebrooks: Trump makes fun of everyone he faces, not just women. Politics is an ugly industry, so if he makes fun of women, they can’t complain it’s because of their gender. Bradley Morris
Stay true to policy
Brooklyn: As I watch the presidential candidates in the United States, I see that they need to throw stones at each other verbally. Please, stick to the issues that interest us, there are many. The economy, the relations of this country with other countries, etc. There is a lot to cover. As a registered voter, that is what I want to know, not who is the worst person. I, who is still working at almost 70 years old, know what I see and what I hear. So, stick to the issues that interest you and don’t throw stones at each other. Maybe my words will fall on deaf ears, but I hope this becomes a necessary change. Sharon Cesario
Problems abound
Atlantic Highlands, NJ: The Democrats would have us believe that the three and a half years of their administration have been a blast. How can anyone with a brain believe their propaganda? Prices are out of control on almost everything, wars are raging and they may be engaging Iran for another one, crime is becoming a major problem and the country is divided. Kamala has Marxist leanings and wants to socialize America. The only people who think we are doing well are the ones who have the money to afford this terrible inflation. Wake up, America! Vote for something, not Trump! Brenda Hodgkiss
He shot himself in the foot
Fresh Meadows: When I heard that Donald Trump had chosen JD Vance as his running mate, I was almost optimistic. I thought he was a bit more intellectual than most of Trump’s troubadours, but when I saw his stupid comment about childless cat ladies in a 2021 interview with Fox News host Tucker Carlson, all the positives he achieved with his very sensitive portrayal of modern hillbillies in his work “Hillbilly Elegy” went out the window! Lesley D. Lewis
Expanded access
Manhattan: “Voting Made Easier” (August 23 editorial). The recent decision by the Court of Appeals to uphold the law allowing any registered voter to request an early absentee ballot is a significant victory for democracy in our state. Our democracy is stronger when everyone has the opportunity to participate. By ensuring that New Yorkers can vote by mail without unnecessary barriers, we are taking a critical step toward making our elections more inclusive and accessible to everyone, regardless of their circumstances. For those who wish to take advantage of this opportunity, you can request an absentee ballot on the New York State Board of Elections website. Let’s continue to work together to make our elections more accessible to all and ensure that every New Yorker’s voice is heard. Betsy Gotbaum, executive director of Citizens Union
Spiral of violence
Ridgewood, NJ: “Airstrikes Kill Dozens in Gaza” (August 25): A friend read this article and asked me, “Will the killing ever stop?” I replied, “Only when the Israelis run out of people to kill.” The genocide in Gaza is a war of extinction. The Israeli state has witnessed the worst attack on Jews by Hamas since the Nazis and has gone mad. The Palestinians include the innocents caught in the crossfire. The world can see that both sides are wrong. But until both sides sit down at the same table and talk, all the world can do is watch and criticize. Eventually, the survivors—if there are any—will rebuild. Peter J. Peirano
Devalued lives
Edinburgh, Scotland: How long before someone in power speaks out on this issue? The contradictory attitude of Westminster and the White House towards the wars in Ukraine and Gaza is pure racism. With a senior diplomat in the British Foreign Office resigning for ignoring clear evidence of widespread humanitarian atrocities against civilians in Gaza, and David Lammy, the British Foreign Secretary, forced to muddle through his jargon about the defensive and offensive weapons supplied to the Israeli military (a bullet is a bullet, David), there is only one conclusion that a normal, sensible person can come to: the slaughter of civilians of colour (as Tony Blair and George W. Bush were happy to do in Iraq) is acceptable; the mass murder of white civilians by a mad dictator in Ukraine is unacceptable. If this doesn’t start to sound like unacknowledged racism to you, I’d like to hear another explanation. Amanda Baker
Point taken
Delray Beach, Florida: To Voicer WJ Van Sickle: I am wrong, but I am glad you read my letter to Voice of the People. Barry Rudd
It doesn’t fit
Staten Island: To Robert Damato, Reporter of the Speeding Investigation Commission: I suggest you check your vehicle’s speedometer. Radars do not report a violation until you are 11 miles over the speed limit. You must be going 36 miles per hour to be ticketed. New York City’s speed camera program uses the same radar and laser technology that law enforcement uses to measure a vehicle’s speed. If the radar detects that the vehicle is going more than 10 miles per hour over the speed limit, images of the vehicle are recorded along with an image of the license plate. Myra Goodman
Rare rabbit
Jersey City: I took a photo of a cottontail rabbit in Central Park. Apparently the last sighting was in 2020, although there is a video on YouTube from 2021. Lou Defranzo
Talk show pioneer
Greenville, SC: Sad news of the passing of former talk show host Phil Donahue on August 18th. America has lost a television legend. After a long illness, the television mogul passed away at the age of 88. Donahue was one of the founders of the modern daytime television talk show, even before talk show greats such as Sally Jessy Raphael, Oprah Winfrey, Jenny Jones, Ricki Lake and Martha Stewart. The legendary “Donahue” aired in the 1980s and early 1990s. Donahue interviewed many people across America who all had their own stories to tell. He leaves behind his wife Marlo Thomas and five children. He will be greatly missed. Steven Hawkins
Self-driving cars
Central Islip, LI: Some cars now have hands-free driving. What a joke! Most drivers can’t even drive safely with their hands on the wheel. Thomas Sarc
