Latest election shows polls don't vote, people do: Letters to the Editor, Nov. 19, 2023

Many questions; few good answers

After reading the Nov. 12 articles "People are Scared" and "Culture War Faced Backlash from Voters," I have questions.

Why is this happening? What was broken that needed to be fixed?

Why do I care about one’s gender when they use a bathroom? If that other person does not look like me, I do not want him in my bathroom. Plus, I imagine a transgender female would not feel safe using a men’s bathroom.

Why do I care what prefix one uses in front of their name? Does that have any relationship to her/his competence?

Why do I care who someone loves and her/his consensual relationship?

Why do I care whether another woman wants to have a baby? Isn’t she competent to make her own personal decisions?

Why did we need to rewrite Black history?

Why is there a problem with diversity, equity, and inclusion, considering that unless you are a native American Indian, we all originally came from somewhere else?

Why are we banning books (e.g., Hemingway) for the current generation? I suspect that most FLORIDA TODAY readers, as well as the Moms for Liberty, have read some of these banned books. Did reading those books make us dysfunctional?

Why was Rep. Randy Fine approached for being Jewish? 

Why are we now concerned about the comfort of only some parents?

All these questions make me uncomfortable and I hope our elected representatives prioritize their time (and taxpayers’ money) working on real issues (e.g., education, housing, homeless vets, insurance, climate change).

Anita Moore, Merritt Island

'Polls don't vote'

Recent polls have been disastrous for the Democrats. What happened in the 2023 elections? People voted. Who lost? Pro-life backers, Moms for Liberty candidates, Republicans -- countrywide. Polls have been given too much importance in today’s media.

Having voted for over 50 years, I know no candidate is perfect. It was often a decision of the lesser of two evils. I still voted.

Remember, polls don't vote. People do.

Catherine Kornek, Melbourne

Do we need a blue vs. red country?

I"m reading Mark Levin's "Plunder and Deceit" and it led me to wonder: Could it be time for a test of economic theories to see how things work out before they become law throughout the entire U.S.? Sort of a "capitalism vs. socialism" test.

Here's my idea: For five years, let's have each individual (including those illegally in the country) contribute an equal per capita amount for defense. Based on current budget and population, that would be about $2,500 per person.

Beyond that, allow each state to choose which current federal laws/regulations to implement. For example, "red" states could choose to have a 0% corporate income tax, while "blue" states could have 30%. Red states could use fossil fuels, while blue states could ban them. Red states could have a flat income tax rate, and blue states could tax the rich.

I think we would have a really good idea of what works best after five years, and each state could decide if they want to continue, form two separate countries of like-minded states, or "rejoin" the "union."

Just a thought.

Ilene Davis, Cocoa 

Forget age: Biden's better

Since I will reach the venerable age of 95 this week, I don't think there's any problem with President Biden's age.  After all, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt led the world almost through to the end of one of the worst wars in history, and he was in a wheelchair the whole time. So it's not the physical but the mental capacities that are most important for the presidency.

This president has done a tremendous job considering all of the problems he has had to face, due to the shenanigans Trump has set up for him and all of the other world catastrophes. He has managed jet lag and faced dangerous situations around the world. Can you imagine Trump doing that? No way.   

My 2024 vote will be for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris because he exudes humanity from his very pores. He is such a good person and they seem to be getting more and more rare lately. Managing to keep his cool in all situations, he has the wisdom and experience needed in these times. Just think if he acted the way Trump is now threatening his enemies if he becomes the next president. Joe Biden would never do that and U.S. of A. is the better for it. Please think long and hard when you vote next year. All of our lives depend on our choice.

Ruth Ceike Meier, Melbourne

About that last GOP debate ...

More of a shouting match. These people can not be civil, nor can they answer a direct question. It seemed that the only candidate who was direct in his answers was Chris Christie, acknowledging that the most practical way to defend Taiwan is through the use of our submarines, best in the world.

It should be obvious to all that our to all that our governor is a poor choice for president. He's shown disrespect to our professional educators; to the LBGQT community; to the Black community by cutting the African American studies in colleges; by eliminating diversity, equality and inclusion programs; and by hiring a surgeon general who refuses to accept factual medical data and recommendations (masks and shots unnecessary, parroting his boss).

It appears that Nikki Haley is the one left who, having been a UN ambassador, has foreign affairs experience and as a former governor, she's been involved in political battles.

The holdovers pushing former President Trump need to realize he should remain "former." Get someone in the White House who can work with both parties and actually accomplish something. There needs to be actual progress in reducing drug costs; the southern border requires a practical plan which is einforced.

The people of this great country are in trouble. They need a government that can be counted on, one that's stable, predictable and productive for all.

Garey Hartman, Melbourne

This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Forget age. Biden's a better man: Letters to the Editor, Nov. 19, 2023