Mayo still staple, Trump legacy, crime rates, the DeSantis rule: Letters, Nov. 3, 2022

Despite high price, mayo remains a staple

There comes a time when our daily frustrations take hold of our senses and seemingly serene folks arrive at a boiling point that can equal the flowing magma from Mount Kilauea.

Mine arrived when grocery shopping brought me to a jar of Hellmann's Mayonnaise. Initially I thought there had to be a mistake, but a kind employee price-checked the item for me. $8.99 for a 30-ounce jar — nine bucks!

Now I don't mind paying a little extra in these inflationary times, but $9? Not long ago the price was about $3.49. That's more than a 150% increase!

Has your salary or retirement benefit increased 150%? I doubt it has for most people. This is a travesty to rise above all travesties. I shall go forth and do without other items. I will not sacrifice my Hellmann's taste buds for another product. My tuna fish will not allow it. But that is another letter.

Anthony Napolitano, Jensen Beach

Prioritize clean water issues

With a red tide brewing off the west coast, a fish kill in Biscayne Bay and manatees continuing to die at a near-record pace, Florida’s water crisis grinds on. Now more than ever, we must identify and support political candidates with a genuine commitment to cleaner water who’ll reject “dirty money” from polluters.

That’s where VoteWater comes in. We’re a nonpartisan group based in Stuart that’s done a deep dive on candidates in 15 Florida counties, including Indian River, St. Lucie and Martin counties, to identify clean-water candidates. Our voter guides, online at votewater.org/voter-guides, rank candidates at the county commission, state and federal level on their response to our survey, whether they take “dirty” campaign contributions, voting records and the extent to which they prioritize clean-water issues.

Clean water is crucial to marine life, human health and economic vitality, and to protect it we need better policy. And that requires better politicians.

Gil Smart is executive director of VoteWater, Stuart

Legacy of President Trump and MAGA

Republican men don’t seem to care much for women, or their rights. Ethical intelligent women like Rep. Liz Cheney are not wanted in their party.

Hating and wanting to kill Nancy Pelosi, an 82-year-old grandmother, as the rioters attempted during the Jan. 6 Insurrection, has now resulted in violence to her husband. And why?

Because Speaker Pelosi stood up to former President Donald Trump’s lying and bullying tactics. Meanwhile, cowards like Sen. Mitch McConnell, Ted Cruz, Lindsey Graham and Marco Rubio endured insults, even some directed at their wives, from Trump.

Compare Pelosi to former Republican Speakers of the House: Newt Gingrich (ethics violations) and Dennis Hastert (sent to prison over sexual abuse of minors). When Trump and Republican leaders aren’t outright lying, they’re invoking the Fifth Amendment. This is the result and legacy of Trump and MAGA.

Anthony Frigo, Jensen Beach

Following the ‘DeSantis rule’

I saw a political sign today for Gov. Ron DeSantis that read "Keep Florida Free.”

Are we free when we cannot say gay or transgender, or let our children read a book that might help them to learn compassion for others? Or when we are not free to wear a mask to keep us safe without being ridiculed?

We are free as long as we obey the “DeSantis Rule” — only my way. He likely will be elected again, but I am retired and of the age of an "old donkey" put out to pasture. I can have gay friends, read any book I want, wear a mask and get a booster shot if I choose to protect my health.

I can only hope that in his second term Gov. DeSantis will learn to rule with character, courage, compassion and not try to bully those who may have different ideas.

Jane Gilson, Jenen Beach

Registering with no party affiliation

Two years ago, I registered to vote as "no party affiliation." I highly recommend it.

I no longer incur the hate of half the population by registering to vote, and the party in power cannot discriminate against me because they don't know if I am with them or against them. I did notice I can't vote very much, so allowing party registration is the best voter suppression device there is.

Candidates don't have to explain how they are going to solve problems; they just blame the other party for them. Our voter registration information should be completely confidential, without a party selection, if we really want to "save our democracy."

Even the addresses of registered voters should not be available to the public. That information is what the parties use to gerrymander and divide the people into predictable districts. All we should need to vote is a valid identification card that shows we reside in the voting district where we are attempting to vote. 

We are all Americans, but the two-party system has divided us and made us weak and unable to solve little problems; much less the bigger ones on the horizon.

Mac Stuckey, Stuart

Who is most responsible for local crime rates?

I often hear Republicans claim crime is on the ballot and that it is the Democrats’ fault crime is so rampant.

It is true crime is up in many places. But how are Democrats responsible for rampant crime in a county where the sheriff and governor are both Republicans?

Ask yourself this: If you were walking down the street in a Florida city and you were robbed, who’s fault is that? Is it President Joe Biden's or the Republican mayor, the Republican governor's, the Republican sheriff's?

Your physical safety while walking down the street is not the federal government’s responsibility; it is your local government’s responsibility. Start demanding action from the people who are really responsible.

By the way, the crime rates in Tallahassee and Gainesville are way above the national average.

Don Whisman, Stuart

Thanks VFW Auxiliary Post 4194

Stuart Middle School would like to send a thank you to the VFW Auxiliary Post 4194 for their generous $500 donation toward our teachers.

The VFW Auxiliary Post 4194 chose to randomly select two teachers from each content area: English/language arts, math, science, social studies, and related arts to receive a $50 Office Depot gift card to be used to enhance their students' learning throughout the 2022-23 school year.

Recipients included: James McMahon, Marie Solide, Jordan Claus, Lizette Huston, Dan Boyle, Pete Erwig, Cassie Mailhot, Patrick Cermeno, Sheryl Odza, and Kim McHardy.

Heather Ryan, Stuart

This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Mayo a staple, Trump legacy, crime, the DeSantis rule: Letters, Nov. 3