Letters to the editor for Sunday, November 28, 2021

Freedom to do what's right

Protecting our freedom is obviously important to all of us. I read the editorial by Ben Albritton and he convinced me. Government has no right to order us to do what we don't want to do.

After all, men and women fought and died to protect our freedom. Of course, those who died no longer enjoy freedom, having served our country with their lives and doing things they didn't want to do, like dying, but still, that's them and they should have refused to serve. That was their right, wasn't it? I wish I had thought of that before I went in the Army, but I guess I was naive and thought that was the right thing to do.

And children shouldn't have to be vaccinated for polio or smallpox or measles before attending kindergarten. After all, those shots hurt and why should they have to endure that? Children have rights too and if maybe it keeps other kids from getting sick, well, that's someone else's problem.

Why should I have to undergo screening before getting a gun or rifle of my choice?

Why should I need to take a test before driving my own car? Why can't I smoke marijuana or drink whenever I want? Don't I have freedom too?

Incidentally, does this apply to women who enjoy freedom of choice over whether to bear a child, particularly when they may have been raped or subjected to incest?

Thank you, Mr. Albritton for your article. It awakened me to all the freedoms I've been missing. The medically proven fact that masks and vaccinations are largely effective in preventing the spread of COVID is immaterial if it takes away some of our freedom. I'm sure Ben Franklin would agree. Although didn't he refer to essential liberties? Is wearing a mask giving up a really essential liberty? As essential as giving up your life to serve your country?

Peter Weissman, Naples

Take personal responsibility for democracy

Our democracy is fragile. It requires us to participate in it, to handle it with care, to educate ourselves to preserve it, and to make some serious choices. We make many of these choices by voting.

A lack of information regarding candidates and issues can no longer be an excuse. Taking for granted what a democracy means cannot be either. There is a myriad of independent sources available to all of us. The computer has enabled us to research both sides of an issue, get in-depth information on candidates, plus discuss and debate our findings.

We need to assume personal responsibility to make certain we are registered to vote. We need to decide where we will be when ballots are sent via the mail if that is our choice for voting in the election. Ballots cannot be forwarded. We need to choose a party for the primary election. Independents can only vote for nonpartisan candidates. They can vote in the general elections, however.

We bolster democracy when we take responsibility to vote, to participate in its activities, to teach our children and grandchildren about their responsibilities — and yes, it is work on all our parts. But isn’t it worth it?!

Judi Palay, Naples

It would be a mistake to vote out DeSantis

With regards to the list of Democratic challengers vying to compete against the best governor this state has ever had, Gov. DeSantis, if you like the way the country is being run by President Biden, Obama, Harris, Pelosi and Schumer, with the highest gas prices in decades, highest food prices maybe ever, shortages of supplies, empty shelves, no longer oil and gas independent, the debacle of the Afghan withdrawal, then vote out DeSantis, but you would be making a dreadful mistake.

Michael Adler, Miromar Lakes

Debt can have disastrous consequences

Our debt is accelerating and exceeds the size of our economy. Both political parties are at fault. There will be disastrous consequences!

The pandemic clearly added to our debt. Our labor force participation rate is plummeting and long-term economic growth is questionable. Will millions of legal and illegal immigrants entering the U.S. rebuild our workforce, grow our economy and tax base or will political agenda programs expand debt to unsustainable levels?

Increased debt slows the growth of our economic output.

Democrats pontificate more spending will make our economy stronger, people more prosperous and generate more tax money that exceeds debt interest payments, concluding more spending will cost nothing. Try that rationale with your home budget.

New or expanding program spending should be accompanied by measurable program reforms.

There are tough choices. Only restraint will restore fiscal discipline but that requires leadership. If elected officials rise to the challenge, it can fuel a strong recovery leading to a stronger economy that will benefit generations to come.

Frank Mazur, Fort Myers

This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Letters to the editor for Sunday, November 28, 2021