Letters to the editor: U.S. House must impeach Justice Clarence Thomas

U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas has been serving on the nation's highest court for 32 years. His tenure has been riddled with scandals. It all began when he was barely confirmed while disputing sworn testimony by Anita Hill that he sexually harassed her while he was her supervisor. Then he failed to report nearly $700,000 dollars of his wife’s income from conservative groups.

A few years later, his wife founded a political group that was lobbying Washington to repeal the Affordable Care Act. The Supreme Court was then ruling on the Affordable Care Act, but Thomas would not recuse himself from the case. In 2016, lawyer Moira Smith alleged that she had been groped by Thomas during a dinner party years ago. After President Joe Biden’s victory in 2020, Ginni Thomas messaged dozens of lawmakers urging them to throw out those votes and choose electors that would support Trump. Thomas didn’t recuse himself from subsequent cases concerning the election or the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol.

Last week, it was reported that the justice has been receiving millions of dollars worth of luxury vacations for the last 25 years from a billionaire Republican donor. He claimed that he didn’t have to disclose these trips because they were gifts from a long-time friend. Of course, this friend only became friends with him years after he was appointed to the court. And now we find out that this “friend” also purchased real estate from Thomas that he also didn’t report. For this latest infraction, there is no gray area. Clarence Thomas is required by law to disclose property sales of over $1,000. In order to restore America’s faith in the Supreme Court, which is at a historic low, action must be taken. Clarence Thomas must be impeached. The integrity of the Court depends upon it.

David CashDetroit

Fox lawsuit settlement proves that Big Lie was a Big Lie

There is no dollar amount that could ever cure the damage done to our democracy. But (the settlement of Dominion's lawsuit against Fox News), along with a robust admission, can help us realize, yet again, that the Big Lie was just that — a lie.

Paul BaconHallandale Beach, Fla.

Expanded child tax credit kept kids out of poverty

It’s tax time and, sadly, millions of families with low incomes are going to see their tax refunds drop this year or disappear altogether. That’s because Congress let the expanded Child Tax Credit expire last year.

In 2021 Congress expanded the CTC to all low-income families and sent it as monthly payments. Child poverty dropped, and parents got more freedom to make ends meet. But the Senate let the expansion expire. Now, 19 million children in families with low income will receive a much smaller CTC this year, including 2 million who will get nothing. Meanwhile, families making $400,000 per year will get their full CTC.

Children should not have to grow up in poverty so we can make the rich richer. We need a tax code that works for all Americans. Congress must start right now by expanding the CTC to families with low incomes in any tax legislation this year.

Sylvia LewisRochester

Support global vaccine development

Responding to the piece, “As global crises unfold, diplomacy is more important than ever,” published in March, I applaud the authors for highlighting how Michiganders at Pfizer’s Kalamazoo plant are producing the COVID-19 vaccine and helping save millions of lives globally. As a registered nurse, I recognize the importance of global access to COVID-19 and other vaccines to prevent diseases, such as measles and pneumonia.

Stopping a disease at its source not only saves lives but is economical. As global citizens, it’s in our collective interest to improve access to vaccinations to control the spread of disease. I implore you to contact congressional delegates, asking them to fund global vaccine programs.

We’ve seen during this pandemic that a disease outbreak anywhere is a threat everywhere: We all have a stake in keeping our communities safe. People in Michigan will benefit from expanding disease efforts globally.

Julie BuserAnn Arbor

It takes courage to deal with mental health issues

Bravo to Michigan Supreme Court Justice Richard Bernstein for being open and forthright about his decision to prioritize his mental health. We need more prominent, well-regarded people speaking openly about the importance of caring for one's mental health just as we care for our physical health.

I wish Justice Bernstein the best and thank him for his courage and openness.

Ione SkaggsCanton

Access to driver's licenses is about more than road safety

Having access to driver’s licenses in Michigan is essential not only for being able to drive on the road safely, but also for better health. As a recent article noted ("Michigan lawmakers want undocumented immigrants to be able to get driver's license," Detroit Free Press, April 12) driver’s licenses are essential for attracting and keeping immigrant workers in the state, but even more important, they give people the opportunity to use services that could change their lives.

Driver’s licenses are necessary to access services like healthcare, social services, financial services and housing; all of which can make the difference when it comes to having better health outcomes. Groups that are already historically marginalized, like undocumented immigrants, formerly incarcerated people, and those experiencing homelessness, need less barriers (not more) to accessing the public health services that will improve their wellbeing. The Drive SAFE Bills should already be in use in our state, if our legislators prioritized the health and wellbeing of all Michiganders, no matter their immigration status.

Amongst Latinos living in the US, immigrant-inclusive license policies reduced negative health outcomes relating to both mental and physical health. Since anti-immigration policies disproportionately impact Latino communities, no matter their immigration status, showing that these policies reduce negative health outcomes could have a significant impact on many of our Michigan communities. Ensuring access to driver’s licenses will give more Michiganders the tools necessary to improve their lives, as well as the lives of their families.

Victoria MinkaKalamazoo

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Letters: Impeach Justice Clarence Thomas