Here's why Rep. Posey didn't vote to expel Santos: Letters to the Editor, Jan. 14, 2024

Palm Bay's support for veterans

As a proud veteran and engaged member of the Palm Bay community, I am writing to commend the Palm Bay City Council for their remarkable initiative in supporting local veterans. The introduction of a full-time veteran service officer (VSO) at City Hall is a profound step in acknowledging and addressing the needs of those who have served our nation.

The VSO office, a crucial resource, provides personalized services to veterans and their families. From financial assistance to healthcare guidance, it covers a wide spectrum of support that addresses the unique challenges faced by our veterans. The establishment of this office in Palm Bay City Hall reflects the city's commitment to ensuring that veterans have easy access to these essential services.

Moreover, this initiative fosters a stronger sense of community. It serves as a reminder of the sacrifices made by veterans and the ongoing need to support them in meaningful ways. By offering comprehensive services under one roof, Palm Bay is setting a commendable example for other cities to follow.

For easy reference, here is the contact information for the veteran service officer:

Location: Room 229, Palm Bay City Hall

Hours: Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Phone: 321-633-2012.

Appointments are recommended for personalized assistance.

I encourage veterans and their families to utilize this valuable resource. Let's continue to support and honor our veterans, not just through words, but through actions like these.

Thomas Gaume, Palm Bay

'One standard of justice'

Responding to Mr. Don Williams' recent letter to the editor, a fundamental principle of our justice system is that individuals are considered innocent until proven guilty in court.

Serious allegations of bribery and abuse of office have brought in federal court by the U.S. Dept of Justice against U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ) and U.S. Rep. George Santos (R-NY). Neither Santos nor Menendez have been convicted in a court of law. Washington liberals were quick in calling for the expulsion of Rep. Santos, who represents a swing district. Yet, these same leaders have been silent when it comes to liberal Sen. Menendez.

There appears to be a double standard in Washington. We believe there should be one standard of justice and that it should apply to all Americans.

We wish that the wheels of justice would move faster as that would be helpful in resolving these cases without short-circuiting our system of justice. The expulsion of a member from Congress cannot be undone and it should be judiciously considered. Rep. Posey joined the majority of House Republicans in voting to let the wheels of justice proceed rather than expelling Santos before he has his day in court. Expulsions from Congress are rare, the most recent coming in 2002 after Rep. Traficant (D-PA) was convicted of several crimes including bribery.

Kaela Thompson is deputy communications director for Rep. Bill Posey.

Education empowers us

Like Bob Barnes, I want all the children in Brevard County to grow up healthy, finish school and get good jobs (“The Children’s Hunger Project needs your help to provide weekend meals," Jan. 7). Then they can pay Social Security and Medicare taxes that the government will use for my Social Security check and pay my Medicare insurance.

To accomplish this, I have been donating to the Sharing Center to deliver meals to schools through the Children’s Hunger Project. In addition, I have been donating to the Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida, which donates funding and food to the Children’s Hunger Project.

I hope all seniors in Brevard County will stop viewing our schools as welfare for students and teachers. Education is an investment in our society: It empowers individuals. I also hope others will see this powerful need and donate accordingly because children cannot learn on an empty stomach.

Angela Harris, Cape Canaveral

Giving blood gives me hope

January has always been a event-filled month in my life. From the Challenger explosion to quitting cigarettes for good, one January event changed my life for the betterment of all of us: That's donating blood.

In January 1987, while I was working for the city of Melbourne, we were offered an employee pay incentive for personal motives and community involvement. Most of these incentives paid off, not financially but personally. Quitting smoking was a drag, pun intended, yet donating blood became an obligation over time.

I've many stories to tell from donating the last 37 years. In the case of organ donation, a human gives life to another and many times, at the end, the families meet. But that is a once in a lifetime event. I've created thousands of those events, yet never met those I've helped "save."

On Dec. 19, I reached the 150-gallon mark in blood donations. Every two weeks, with few breaks, I've plunked my butt down in a donor chair, giving the gift of life. I've reached an elite group and forged a bond -- till my last breath, every platelet I donate will save a life. The majority of my platelets go to children with cancer, for I get the emails telling me where it goes.

For me it's been a "passion of and for compassion" over the years. While I didn't choose my destiny, it has chosen me. By the end of this decade, I'll reach 200 gallons donated, with destiny yet to be determined.

Bill Lundell, Indian Harbour Beach

The way forward

Much is being debated about the direction in which our country is headed. A great deal of that discussion is about spending by the federal government.

The national debt just surpassed $34 trillion dollars. Most of that money is owed to the public, banks, insurance companies, private investors, etc. I think everyone agrees we need to decrease the debt. The question remains, how? In other words, the government either needs to spend less, raise more, or, more likely, a combination thereof.

Republicans want to spend less, but cut taxes for the wealthy and mega-wealthy, which will reduce government income. This clearly makes no sense. This huge debt contributes to soaring inflation, a rallying cry for the right. There are many reasons for these problems, but COVID was a major contributor and gave a kick in the pants to inflation and spending, causing Trump to add $7.8 trillion to the debt. On the bright side, inflation is expected to settle back to a normal 2.4–2.5% in 2024.

Another factor in our current plight: Biden’s green energy policies. While also adding to the nation's debt, they are absolutely essential if we wish to have a habitable country in the future.

Any argument that we need a change of government in 2024 to fix these problems is disingenuous at best because all the right seems to do is complain about the current administration without offering any solutions. We need real, viable solutions, not antagonistic recriminations.

That’s where we go from here.

Ed Dean, Merritt Island

Capitol invasion still reverberates

I read with great interest letters from FLORIDA TODAY readers about the "crisis" at our southern border. I may be out of touch with what Fox News is saying, but I am more concerned about the invasion of the Capitol that took place on Jan. 6, 2021. And about the large segment of Trump followers who have already stated their commitment to similar criminal activity or violence should their guy lose in 2024.

I am anguished over how the current Republican Party has whitewashed the horrific events of that day, re-embracing Trump’s "Big Lie" out of cowardice and convenience. I am equally concerned about the inability of Republicans to seat a House speaker who is not an out-and-out election denier activist, Jan. 6 apologist and insurrection fanboy. And that his Republican conference (with a slim three-person majority) was the biggest do-nothing Congress in my lifetime and is likely leading us to a government shutdown - part 1 in January, and part 2 in February. This, after reneging on the agreement with the president and House Democrats from mid-2023 to vote to continue funding the government by the 2023 fiscal year deadline.

With the November election coming up, I am deeply concerned about the reelection of 121 Republicans who voted to overturn election results in 2020 and were reelected in 2022 to serve another term. Bill Posey was one of them. Have some perspective, people. We need immigrants willing to do backbreaking work and representatives focused on helping all Americans. Focus on your welfare.

Vicky Dorman, Satellite Beach

'Stay out of the Middle East'

America's involvement in Middle East wars rages on after three decades with a cost of $8 trillion dollars and still counting. Matters have only gotten worse there.

My advice for our political leaders is to stay out of the Middle East. Tax dollars will be needed when China picks the right time to do battle with a war-torn, weakened America. It's a war China will certainly win with its powerful, well-founded military.

Melvin Deere, Melbourne

'The obvious choice ... is Biden'

It looks like we are going to get the election that nobody really wants in November: Trump vs. Biden.

Amazingly, the race is close and trying to figure out why is, to say the least, frustrating. It might be useful to use a boxing format to try and figure it.

In this corner, from Scranton, Pennsylvania, the man who passed an infrastructure bill in six months with Republican support; helped bring inflation under control; passed legislation to help the nation out of a pandemic; was the steward of the creation of almost 12 million jobs in three years; helped bring unemployment rates to the lowest in 60 years and restored civility to an office that had lost it. Meet President Joe Biden.

In the other corner, from Queens, New York, is a former president currently under indictment for 91 criminal counts; has been judged a fraud in business; a man who bilked thousands of students with a fraudulent university scam. One who thinks he’s entitled to total immunity for anything he did as president. A man who will probably be convicted of insurrection against the U.S. and is the darling of the Republican Party. I give you Donald Trump.

So, having presented the “facts,” how on earth can this election be close? The obvious choice, regardless of age, is Biden.

It’s a no-brainer, in my view.

Joe Tierno, Melbourne Beach

Sean Payton's shortcomings

It has been said that Sean Payton is a lousy liar; in addition, his coaching abilities are naught.

Since the first day quarterback Russell Wilson set foot on the Denver playing field, he was belittled and unappreciated by Sean Payton.

The success of an NFL franchise is the relationship between the quarterback and head coach. Coach Tony Dungy and Peyton Manning had a stupendous, successful Indianapolis Colts winning record based on respect and trust. Sean Payton neither acknowledged Russell's abilities nor Russell's leadership and camaraderie with his Bronco teammates. I shuddered when Payton was hired as head coach after what he did while he was the head coach of the New Orleans Saints. Payton is a "thug," to quote ESPN's Ryan Clark.

Russell Wilson is not the problem within the Denver Broncos organization: Sean Payton is the problem.

Diane Norwood-Steven, Rockledge

This article originally appeared on Florida Today: GOP complains without solutions: Letters to the Editor, Jan. 14, 2024