LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

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In-person education essential for students

The Montgomery County Board of Health’s recent decision ordering the shutdown of inperson education for two-weeks is the definition of government overreach. For months, I have voiced that the cure for the coronavirus must not be worse than the disease itself. This is especially true concerning school closures mandated by unelected bureaucrats. According to the science, children are among the populations least affected by COVID-19. Yet, kids are suffering the most from draconian lockdowns.

The value of a child’s education goes beyond academics. School offers young people an opportunity to hone social skills that are critical to their emotional development. The Board of Health’s totalitarian ruling is unwise and tonedeaf. As commissioner, I have been contacted by countless constituents who want public, private, and parochial schools to remain open.

Parents and students have made their voices heard: in-person education is essential. I echo their sentiments.

Joe Gale, Montgomery County Commissioner

Regulations and laws during a pandemic

It is unfortunate that government responses to the rise in coronavirus infections focus so centrally on rulemaking. In Philadelphia and elsewhere, governments are issuing rules that restrict business operations, groups gatherings, and diners per table. By making such rules the centerpiece of their responses, governments miss opportunities to appeal to individuals as key players in fighting the virus.

Classical conservatism holds that individuals have the right to act as they choose so long as this poses no harm for others. Clearly the pandemic fails to meet this criterion. People need to be reminded that they have the power to protect, or to harm, their loved ones, neighbors, and colleagues. Along with the drumbeat of virus statistics, people need to see and hear the consequences of failure to take protective action for people like themselves. The needed protective measures are well-known — maskwearing and social distancing — yet regulation can only go so far in enforcing these behaviors. Rules need to be complemented by political discourse on the power of each individual to protect, or endanger, those with whom they live and work.

Elaine Fultz, Philadelphia, mef1972@gmail.com

Phila., an example for the nation

Philadelphia has a lot to offer America by way of example. As the election made clear, we’re a divided country. Thankfully, the constitutional structure penned in Philadelphia in 1787 offers us a way out of our national political dysfunction: Live and let live. Respect the bedrock human rights enshrined in the Bill of Rights, but otherwise, allow different states and localities to do their own thing. But our terribly divisive politics is not America’s only problem — a deep sense of alienation from faith, family, and community also plagues our nation. COVID-19 has exacerbated these problems. Various Philadelphia organizations, like the South Philly-based National Shrine of Saint Rita of Cascia, which offers support group programming for unemployed Philadelphians, are working tirelessly to bring people together and to give them healing and meaning during these difficult times. Going forward, let’s hope the rest of the country follows in Philly’s footsteps.

Thomas Koenig, Oreland

Cleaning House (and Senate)

With the upcoming change to our executive branch of government, there need to be other changes to initiate new thinking and different results. The nation would benefit by the removal of both Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. The two leaders are willing participants in the legislative stalemate of recent years. They embody the worst of our dysfunctional system and remain constant reminders of what antagonizes Americans holding different political views. Our nation was built on ideas, not ideologies. Ideologies are uncompromising and static. Ideas induce thought and discussion. The Founders of our country disagreed on many things, but found ways to satisfy their opposition’s fears, producing a governmental system which we claim to embrace. For the good of the nation, not the personal benefit of the few, we need to challenge current senators and representatives to lead us in a direction that preserves what we say we value — the honorable use of power — over the self-interest of officials and wealth.

Jeff Heim, West Chester

Uphill battle with a Republican Senate

Mark Thiessen implies that Joe Biden needs a Republican Senate to succeed. He says that bipartisanship will get things done. This column would be laughable if it wasn’t so untrue. As long as Mitch McConnell is Senate majority leader, Biden will not get legislation passed unless it’s on Republican terms. He vowed not to pass any legislation or confirm nominations that the previous Democratic president proposed. He has failed to bring to a vote hundreds of bills passed by the House, saying that Donald Trump will veto them, but it’s really about not exposing his Republican colleagues to ridicule by voting “no” on essential legislation.

Two counters to the excuse about a Trump veto: Bring it to a vote and then compromise in a House-Senate committee, and even if Trump vetoes the legislation, Congress can override with a two-thirds majority. McConnell has conveniently forgotten that Congress’s role is to legislate and let the chips fall where they may. His job is not to protect the president and Republican senators from embarrassing themselves. A Democratic-controlled Senate will at least bring needed legislation to the floor for debate. Contrary to Thiessen’s argument, Biden will sign legislation that will benefit most Americans and not the radical few or the conservative elite.

Jeff Ettenger, Huntingdon Valley, jeffmd49@yahoo.com