Letters to the editor for Monday, December 6, 2021

Political tribalism threatens our future

There is tribalism and there is fighting for democratic ideals. Work for the common good, help ensure every vote counts, and protect the institutions that our founding fathers believed in. This is what our two major parties should be doing, but sadly one is not.

I see that Republican leadership is looking to punish the congressmen who voted for the Build Back Better bill. I also saw a letter writer laughably complain that this bill will hurt consumers by taking products/supplies out of the marketplace. Even Mitch McConnell voted for the bill, as he has been inundated with complaints for years regarding the necessity of a new bridge between Cincy and northern Kentucky. McConnell will reflexively stop any action that might make Dems look good, so you know this bill had to be too good to pass.

I don't know if right-wing radio, or Fox News, or the previous prez is to blame for the dramatic increase in this tribalism, probably all three, but it is scary for our future. And people better be ready to stand up to the bully.

Paul Fowler, Bonita Springs

Misinformation about inflation

Keep an open mind when considering rising inflation, which is, in fact, a global problem. Think about the huge impact the COVID pandemic had and continues to have upon our daily lives and financial stability of nations. Manufacture and production slowed, trade was delayed as shops closed and restrictions were placed on normal life needs.

After the lifting of COVID restrictions, supply chains have snarled around the world, adding to costs and throwing the balance of global supply and demand badly out of whack. Prices for entertainment, airline tickets, and hotel rooms dipped last year in the depths of the pandemic, and now they’re bouncing back to normal levels, making the numbers look higher than they would if compared with a less depressed base.

Yes this is happening everywhere, all countries, not just in the United States. Global inflation is not an American problem, a Democrat problem, or a Biden problem.

Take a stand, fellow citizen, and let sanity and a striving for understanding and peace prevail. Unfounded anger and accusations only add to our current strife and divisiveness.

When we hear Biden is to blame and primarily the cause of inflation, give the correct information. It’s a global situation, caused by worldwide demand for products that weren’t stocked in warehouses or produced for nearly two years.

Grateful that restrictions have now been removed, let’s place cause where it belongs. Do not allow the political scapegoating of the president, who is doing a good job and completely dedicated to Build our country Back Better!

Stand up to misinformation.

Susan Schroeder, Bokeelia

Great confidence in Dr. Fauci

Apparently, some ancient Greek leaders who didn’t like a particular message simply killed the messenger. Now, we jokingly say, “Please don’t kill the messenger.”

Despite Dr. Anthony Fauci’s extensive scientific background, he has been and continues to be attacked, mostly by those who simply don’t understand how evidence-based medical science works.

For example: When dealing with a novel viral infection, information constantly changes as more studies are completed.

Those health professionals who have followed the public health issues involved in various contagious diseases, including epidemics and pandemics over the years, have learned to have great confidence in the scientist’s ability and value his opinions.

Over his many years of service, Fauci has maintained a simple doctrine: “You stay completely apolitical and non-ideological, and you stick to what it is that you do. I’m a scientist and I’m a physician. And that’s it.”

Conservative senators including Cruz, Paul and Cotton constantly attack Dr. Fauci and Fox News host Tucker Carlson recently compared Fauci to Italian fascist dictator Benito Mussolini.

So, why the hatred to the point Dr. Fauci needs security protection for himself and some family members?

The physician as new information surfaced tried to keep our citizens informed, even though many didn’t want to hear or accept the bad news that a deadly viral disease provoked.

Dr. Allen Malnak, M.D., Bonita Springs

Hypocrisy rampant in Republican Party

A couple of weeks ago, on the same day he was being "virtually" indicted, Steve Bannon conducted his daily podcast as usual. In a typical diatribe, Bannon predicted a huge win for the Republicans in the 2022 midterms and then "we'll bring all these people" -- read Democrats -- "to account." And how is he proposing to do that? The power of the subpoena of course. Excuse me, but isn't he being indicted for ignoring a lawful subpoena? Why would Democrats honor his?

The News-Press contained an article about the largest drug bust at our southern border in two years. Republicans are loudly proclaiming that this is a clear sign that President Biden's border policy is failing. So, suddenly catching drug smugglers is a bad thing (against all odds, could The Wall be at least minimally effective)? On what planet does this make sense?

It's been said countless times but bears repeating: If wearing a mask and/or getting vaccinated against COVID-19 is a "personal choice" (that in fact, can have negative effects on anyone the anti-vaxxer comes in contact with) and "it's my body, my choice" why do Republicans not extend the same opinion to women? Smoking in restaurants? Speeding? The list of Republican hypocrisies is endless.

While I do not paint my many Republican friends with the same brush as the official party and politicians, I ask them to conduct a little test. Look up "socialism" in Webster's and see if it fits anything the Democrats are proposing. Then look up "fascism" in Webster's and try to explain how it is not a definition of today's Republican Party.

Wilburn P. Reed, Fort Myers

Love Trump's policies? They're toxic

A recent contributor ignores Trump’s disgusting personality because he loves his policies. Trump struck down regulations that prevented corporations from dumping toxic waste into the environment so I guess he doesn’t like clean air and water. He struck down regulations that would prevent Wall Street predators from again victimizing families who lost their homes during the mortgage meltdown. He removed the U.S. from the Paris Accords that fights climate change because he’s okay with the massive weather events that have devastated entire communities. He profited from the presidency by having foreign dignitaries stay at his hotels. He denied the seriousness of the COVID crisis while getting excellent care for his own COVID illness, unavailable to the rest of us. His border policy was inhumane, separating children from their parents, keeping them in substandard conditions, and keeping no records so reuniting them is a nightmare. He demonized minorities so acts of violence against them increased tenfold. He gave a huge tax break to billionaires and increased taxes on the middle class. He was directly responsible for the mob who stormed the Capitol. He said he’d “be there.” He wasn’t. His policies are toxic.

Harriet Stanton-Leaffer, Matlacha

This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Letters to the editor for Monday, December 6, 2021