Publix made the right call on keeping pets out of stores | Letters

The opinions in our readers' letters are theirs and not necessarily those of The Palm Beach Post Editorial Board.

Publix stand against pets the correct one

While I am not a pet owner, I believe pets are valuable companions.  However, I do not believe they belong in stores or restaurants, especially not grocery stores. So, I give Publix a big thank you for taking a stand and sticking to the rules by keeping pets, except service animals, out of their stores. Shopping can continue to be a pleasure at Publix without seeing animals in the cart which might carry your food next.

Leslie Horenburger, Delray Beach

Biden's Lahaina visit a fiasco

I was absolutely horrified by President Biden's speech at Lahaina, following the recent disastrous fires that decimated their community. Reading his prepared speech with absolutely no inflection indicating any emotionl, much less even a modicum of compassion, for these poor people, Biden at one point went into a long litany about his own personal misfortune regarding the auto accident that killed his first wife and young daughter. It was ever so inappropriate to make this about him in any way. Not only was I angered by this avoidable fiasco but I was embarrassed and humiliated for him, for myself and for our country. This to me was the pinnacle of all his other bloopers and blunders. 

Kathy Peler, West Palm Beach

Want more political news?: Sign up for our free weekly "Inside Florida Politics" newsletter

Divisions eroding Florida's bonds

I really related to your front-page article, “State of Division.” I feel for all the different stories described. I can acknowledge their anxiety and pain. I wish the people in power would show some compassion and understanding. Live and let live. But there was over 50% of Florida’s population overlooked. Women. We are having the same anxiety and pain. In the "Great Free State of Florida." Sick joke!

Women are having their intelligence questioned. In Florida, Women are considered too stupid to make their own decisions about Their Bodies, Their God, Their Families (present and future). What about Women’s privacy? Nope, not respected or even acknowledged. Women please don’t all leave. Stand up for yourselves. Vote during every election for your rights and your daughters’ rights (present and future).

Linda Smithe, Jupiter

Rx for better healthcare needed

Re: the column, "Golden Years see unexpected care challenges": The writer states that "life expectancy has increased by 10 years in the last decade." According to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the life expectancy of 76.1 years in 2023 is the lowest it has been since 1996. The U.S. has the highest infant and maternal mortality rate than any developed nation. We spend 20% of our GDP on health care, and our life expectancy is lower than most other countries that spend much less. Our health care system is pathetic. It enriches the insurance companies and the pharmaceutical companies and does not enable the poor and middle class to get preventive care to prevent debilitating illness which would require care when they get older. We need medical insurance for all citizens, and we should be embarrassed that we are the only major nation not to provide this health coverage.

Henry Quartullo, West Palm Beach

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Publix new stance to keep pets out of their stores the right call