Is America on the verge of a second Civil War pitting fascism v. democracy? Letters
The second American Civil War
Oct. 7 — To the Editor:
Some political analysts suggest the two wars in Europe during the first half of the 20th century were in reality the European Civil War, a test to determine if the future of Europe (and by extension civilization) would be run under democratic principles or fascism. The subject is very complex, and the debate that is raging in the American media, as well as in the oppressive political ads that only serve to confuse candidates’ positions, just pour more fuel on the fire. But ironically, neither American political party is discussing the conditions that created the European Civil War, which were the same conditions that now threaten to dismantle the American democracy.
For more detail on that you need to pay more attention to what Bernie Sanders is saying, but people find him boring as toast, and we prefer to hear more about stolen classified documents and Hunter Biden misdeeds. Too bad, but the media need to sell advertising, and people need to have their hate gene stroked.
It seems to me the benefits of democracy far outweigh any other political system yet invented by humans to manage civilization. If someone can explain to me the benefits of fascism, which is what the far right is selling, I will gladly listen. But if you believe that a victory of fascism over democracy in the Second American Civil War is going to somehow benefit you personally, history has not so indicated. You may wind up working as a guard in a concentration camp in Nebraska, but I do not see that as a big win.
Historians one day will look back on this period in America and be able to tell us what happened and why. But take heart. Even if fascism wins the Second American Civil War it will be a temporary victory because good will always triumph over evil. It just takes time. Look at Germany and Spain today. A visitor to Germany after the end of WWII said you couldn’t find a single Nazi; “Nobody ever was one.” And you don’t find a lot of streets in Spain named after Franco.
I don’t know if I will be around to see how this all sorts out, but my grandkids will, and though there may be a rough ride ahead, I believe the long-term outlook for them and our country is bright. It will just take time.
Oscar Boreth
Kittery, Maine
Gov. Sununu needs to speak out forcefully against rising tide of hate
Oct. 7 — To the Editor:
It has been very heartening to see so many law enforcement officials at the meetings held to respond to the rise of hate groups in the Granite State. As a resident I am grateful that local police in the seacoast area are monitoring this situation so carefully.
I don’t believe we have seen the governor lead the way in denouncing these groups and detailing a statewide response to this alarming trend.
This is something I would expect of a governor who is interested in the quality of life for all who live in New Hampshire.
Laura Rundell
Dover
Congress, Pappas, must make access to cancer treatment a national priority
Oct. 5 — To the Editor:
My family has been greatly affected by cancer, but my situation is not unique. An estimated 1.9 million new cancer cases will be diagnosed, and over 600,000 people will die of cancer in the U.S. in 2022. On Sept. 13, I had the honor of representing the needs of cancer patients on Capitol Hill as an American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network volunteer. Over 600 volunteers representing every state in our nation traveled to Washington D.C. to meet with their lawmakers to urge them to make cancer a national priority. Our dedication to our cause and President Joe Biden’s speech the previous day outlining his Cancer Moonshot goal to reduce cancer deaths by 50% in the next 25 years resulted in enthusiasm and dialogue within the offices of our elected officials.
When I met with Paige Henderson, legislative assistant to Congressman Chris Pappas, I expressed my thanks for his support of the Medicare Multi-cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act. This legislation will help Medicare recipients access new blood tests being developed to detect cancer in its earliest stages. I asked that he support policies that help prevent and treat cancer by increasing the federal funding for cancer research and prevention with $49 billion to the National Institute of Health. I also asked that he support the DIVERSE Trials Act which would increase the diversity of those enrolled in clinical trials by ensuring that trial sponsors can cover costs such as lodging and transportation. This would make access to lifesaving clinical trials more equitable and ensure that participants are more socioeconomically, geographically and racially diverse.
We hope Congressman Pappas will show the people of NH that he believes funding research and access to lifesaving treatment is essential and should be available to everyone despite any financial barriers or access to transportation.
Bobbie Glidden
Dover
Why Educational Freedom Accounts hurt NH students and schools
Oct. 4 — To the Editor:
The Educational Freedom Account (EFA) offers grants for families making up to 300 times the poverty level to spend on tuition to non-public schools and/or educational supplies (typically) for home schooling. Here’s what’s wrong with it:
The vast majority (77-90%) of the EFA money went for religious and other private school tuition. This is a problem because the EFA money is taken from the state’s Educational Trust Fund. This is a New Hampshire state fund for public schools.
The state budgeted $130,000 for the EFA the first year (2021-2022) and they spent $8 million! The next year (2022-2023) it spent $14.7 million! You can see where this is going. Our public funds for public schools are getting siphoned off and if the trajectory continues, municipalities will have to further cut school budgets or raise property taxes. Public schools are hurting already. Just ask any teacher. New Hampshire ranks dead last in the country for state support to public schools, according to the Concord Monitor.
The EFA exacerbates another problem. Schools in New Hampshire are funded primarily by property taxes. When state funding decreases, property taxes inevitably rise, which unfairly impacts less wealthy communities and their students’ education as there is only so much money to go around.
Finally, the children benefiting from EFA funds did not switch away from public schools because they were unhappy with them as some (Gov. Sununu, Commissioner Edelblut) have stated. The majority of EFA recipients already attended private and religious schools, but now NH taxpayers pay them to do that!
Commissioner of Education Frank Edelblut is systematically dismantling our public schools, as our governor watches. Sununu will always ensure the state’s coffers are full, and force the cities and towns to scramble for funds to function. Does this team reflect what we want for New Hampshire? We are all reeling from the higher costs of everything we have no control over, but we can toss the ETA in the trash, where it belongs. Write your lawmaker, and then write Gov. Sununu to remove Commissioner Frank Edelblut while you’re at it. And even more importantly do your homework, research the candidates, then vote on Nov. 8!
Julie Thompson
Durham
If you want to make your own reproductive health choices, vote for Democrats
Oct. 6 — To the Editor:
This upcoming election is all about power and control, therefore it is very important who you vote for in November. If Republicans get the power they will vote for a national ban on abortion ... no exceptions for rape, incest or life/health of the mother. Full stop, guaranteed.
Republicans have been trying for over 40 years to outlaw abortion. The Republican Party has become a party of misogynists, racists, election-deniers and hypocrites. Don't be fooled by Sen. Lindsey Graham's introducing a national ban on abortion after 15 weeks, under the deeply misleading excuse of ending "late term" abortions, the vast majority of which are only performed to save the life of the mother or to end a nonviable pregnancy.
If you want the government and politicians to be making decisions about your body and future then vote for a Republican and go back 100 years. If you want to make your own decisions about your reproductive health and future with your family and doctor then vote for a Democrat. This is your decision to make.
Sylvia R. Kennedy, MD (retired)
Exeter
Two to tango, but all will pay the price for Dobbs
Oct. 6 — To the Editor:
Republicans want to beat the drum of the economy. So let’s bring abortion into that story—where it squarely belongs.
The greatest burden of government interference in women’s healthcare will fall on women. The loss of their reproductive autonomy imposes on them both long-term financial and non-financial costs. But as parties to conception, men, too, must be brought into the discussion about women’s reproductive rights.
Why do we need reminding? The media have been too silent about this half of the equation.
Birds, bees, and humans: Courting has consequences. Most obviously, men should share the financial responsibility of providing for their children, for both planned and unplanned pregnancies.
However, society as a whole will also pay—in many identified and as yet unidentified ways. We all will pay for raising children that women are forced to bear without reasonable reproductive medical care options. We all will pay for women’s health compromised by Republican legislation whose consequences have not been fully thought through.
Unplanned pregnancies can change the course of lives: not being able to finish high school, delaying or precluding college, derailing career paths and families’ plans. Society will lose women’s contributions of labor, leadership, and innovation. Families will lose paychecks. Child care costs will squeeze more family budgets. Healthcare providers, sworn to uphold a professional code of ethics, may lose their livelihoods. The healthcare field is already losing staff and facilities.
Are we truly prepared for the widespread—and long-lasting—fallout of Dobbs
Concerned? Vote Democratic on Nov. 8.
Robin Mower
Durham
The facts make clear Hassan and Pappas are best for NH
Oct. 5 — To the Editor:
New Hampshire voters do their research. As Maggie Hassan and Chris Pappas have worked for the benefit of New Hampshire residents, I’d like to highlight a few of the clear accomplishments of these candidates up for election.
• 213,00 Granite Staters will benefit with the new prescription and rate cost reductions in the Medicare plan.
• New Hampshire will receive $309 million as part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for roads, bridges, public transport and airports and over $70 million for clean water.
• Maggie Hassan has a record of fighting against sexual violence and holding sex offenders accountable and voted to increase federal funding for police by nearly $300 million.
• Chris Pappas lead the fight to cut the federal excise tax on trucks to lower costs for small businesses. He successfully lead the effort to stop the VA from closing community health centers for veterans in Portsmouth, Somersworth, and Conway. Pappas is also leading the fight to regulate PFAS chemicals in industrial manufacturing and keep our drinking water safe.
• Pro-choice is not pro-abortion and 71% of Granite Staters support access to medical care, including female reproductive services. Both Hassan and Pappas support these 71% of their constituents. These are facts.
Voters have a responsibility to understand the truth and choose which candidates best support New Hampshire. Please join me in voting for Maggie Hassan and Chris Pappas.
Bernice E. Brody
Portsmouth
Government is imposing its religious beliefs on citizens in NH and US
Oct. 8 — To the Editor:
The United States is not a theocracy, like, say, Iran or Afghanistan, where the state can impose religious practices—even regulate how women dress. Thankfully, we have explicit language in our Constitution—the First Amendment—that absolutely guarantees our right to live free from an established religion. We are free in this country to believe in any religion we like, or none at all. This means that no person and no government can force a particular religion on American citizens. Yet that is what many state governments — including New Hampshire’s, compliments of Gov. Sununu — have done, and now the Supreme Court.
I am deeply disturbed that they are imposing religion-based criteria to restrict or prohibit reproductive healthcare. They not only trample our First Amendment rights but seem not to recognize that religions differ in their definition of a crucial question — when life begins. (Find wide-ranging religious belief here.) Where Catholics and Evangelicals may regard conception as the beginning, the Conservative Jewish faith believes life begins when the fetus takes a first breath. Until then, it is an extension of the mother, and her health/life takes precedence.
You can’t compromise on religious belief. That's why Roe v. Wade got it right; it gave women, not religion or over-reaching politicians, reproductive rights, based on rights to privacy, bodily autonomy, and fetal viability.
The founders were wise to leave religion out of government. Unfortunately, the Supreme Court and Gov. Sununu ignore that wisdom. Their theocratic oppression demotes women to second-class citizenship.
Beth Olshansky
Durham
NH women will not 'get over it'
Oct. 9 — To the Editor:
Don Bolduc thinks women should “get over” abortion rights. His callous comments on WMUR the other day prove how out of touch he is with Granite Staters. Treating women like second class citizens is nothing to joke about. Bolduc is going out of his way to discount the women of New Hampshire and he will be held accountable in November. It is time to show Bolduc that Granite State women will not “get over” Bolduc’s dismissal of reproductive rights as a “distraction.” On the contrary, we will make sure that Bolduc knows he is out of line and out of touch with New Hampshire.
Senator Hassan is the exact opposite of Bolduc. She is fighting for women’s reproductive rights every single day in the Senate. We need to reelect her, so that she can continue her excellent work and keep safeguarding the rights of women in New Hampshire and across the country.
Rep. Joan Hamblet
Portsmouth
Rockingham District 31
This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Is America on the verge of a second Civil War ? Letters
