'We don't discuss issues or facts': Your say in News-Press Thursday, Jan. 2, 2020

Fort Myers News-Press
Out with the old...?

'We don't discuss issues or facts'

I was following all the impeachment testimony very carefully, as I believe we all have an obligation to the truth. However, my mantra now is "Truth has evaporated." I receive 20-30 emails daily from right-wing publishers and it is astonishing what they have to say.

I quit watching the two days of review in Congress because I was hearing the same thing over and over. The histrionics of Republican questioners was an outstanding example of where we are as a country today. We don't discuss issues or facts very much, and the questioners on the right certainly did not discuss the facts. But they had plenty of dramatic hatred, fierce criticism, and lots of conspiracy theories. I just couldn't bear to listen.

Now I see some of the same stuff being written in these letters to the editor. If all we are going to do is call each other names and demean those who do not share our views, it leaves me feeling there is no hope for our country and our democracy. Why can't we just talk?

Frederick Lucies, Estero

'Increasing disparity of wealth'

Some things don’t add up. For instance, low unemployment numbers sound positive, but people are working two or three low-wage jobs just to make ends meet.

The stock market and the top earners are doing well, but middle-class wages remain stagnant. When factoring in costs of living, the average worker has actually lost ground.

While this administration seeks to repeal social safety nets and affordable health care, corporations cut back on employees' benefits, reap huge profits and pay no taxes.

One party supports living wages, pensions, benefits, workers' rights, workplace regulations, affordable health care, prescription drugs, Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid.

The other party is determined to end those universal ideals that created a strong middle class. They have manufactured an alternate universe in which American workers vote against their own self-interests and allow this ever increasing disparity of wealth.

After 40 years of "trickle down economics," the rich are richer, the poor are poorer and most of the middle class is no longer part of a shared economy.

It’s time to demand socio-economic fairness in our political system.

Frank Howe, Fort Myers

'Get back to being productive for us'

It seems most of your requests for opinions are slanted against our president.

The sooner this ridiculous exercise gets over, the sooner our lawmakers can get back to being productive for us. The House has wasted most of its term on foolishness.

What ever happened to our need for repairing our infrastructure, upgrading the immigration laws, better health care laws? All of these important issues have fallen by the wayside while our representatives chase their tails needlessly. Let's get people in office who will work for their money and for us.

Gary Olson, North Fort Myers

Impeachment based on hearsay?

Well, the Pelosi Democrats have finally pulled off the biggest blunder in history. Shame on the cowardly behavior of our government officials for allowing the impeachment of our president based on hearsay.

Jim Hoder, North Fort Myers

Silent about anti-Semitic attacks?

I am amazed that with the rise of anti-Semitic attacks that so many prominent Democrats of the Jewish faith have not said a word: Nadler, Schiff and Cohen to name but a few.

They were quick to encourage Trump’s impeachment, never refused an interview when a microphone was placed in front of them. Yet, with the increase in anti-Semitism, especially in New York, the only congressman to comment has been Lee Zeldin , a Republican.

Nadler is a New Yorker and yet has said nothing, to the best of my knowledge. He has not condemned the actions of these bigoted,hateful people, nor has he urged the police to increase their efforts to catch the perpetrators.

Michael Zubrow, North Naples

'What a fragile thing is democracy!'

These are disturbing times. Our Constitution is under assault. Civility is a thing of the past. The president thinks he is king instead of an elected employee of the people. Confidence in our institutions is at an all-time low. Many people feel free to openly express their racist and religiously intolerant opinions and even are proud to do so.

Hate crimes are on the rise. There is anarchy in the air. What a fragile thing is democracy!

Fred Muggs, North Naples