Tuesday's letters: Increasing gun violence, Christian nationalism, Amendment 3 tax break
Republicans to blame for gun violence
It is mind-blowingly hypocritical for Republicans to blame Democrats for the increase in crime.
The GOP is the party that, in lockstep with the National Rifle Association, obstructed almost every effort to enact common-sense gun control in Congress and state and local governments. Republicans want unrestricted open carry nationwide.
Now, almost daily, there are shootings in schools, malls, churches, businesses and even – yes – a hospital delivery room.
More: How to send a letter to the editor
This is not the country I grew up in. Republicans alone are responsible for the rise in gun violence, and under Republican leadership it will only get worse. Republicans can no longer claim to be the party of law and order.
Republicans are also trying to blame Democrats for the increased inflation and gas prices. However, as they well know, these are complex global problems. Thanks to the Biden administration’s experience, wisdom and strategic thinking, our country is faring better than most.
What would Republicans do differently? Cut social and infrastructure spending that helps the working class while legislating fat tax cuts for the 1% who got even richer during COVID?
These difficult times will pass. The mortgage on our first home in 1980 was 14%. And yet, somehow, we survived.
Virginia deHaven Hitchcock, Sarasota
U.S. founded on freedom of religion
I wish to thank Professor Kenneth Wald for his thoughtful commentary, “History 101 for Christian nationalists,” published Oct. 28.
These facts are basic to our identity as Americans. Didn’t we all learn in school that our country was founded by people fleeing religious intolerance and persecution by Christian nationalists across the Atlantic?
It was even written into the Treaty of Tripoli, signed by John Adams, that “the government of the United States of America is not in any sense founded on the Christian Religion.”
Gen. George Washington won a war against a country whose king was head of its Christian church. Why would Americans want to dig up King George and kiss his ring?
We would be wise to follow the Founders’ wisdom in avoiding this mistake. As they understood, Christian nationalism is bad politics and weak faith, and anyone needing a law on paper to justify his or her beliefs has no beliefs at all.
Mike Weddle, Venice
Roe survived half-century of challenges
During their Supreme Court confirmation hearings, Brett Kavanaugh, Neil Gorsuch, Amy Coney Barrett, Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito all agreed or implied that Roe was settled law and precedent, and therefore was beyond overturning.
When Roe was established, it obviously passed legal muster. It was challenged numerous times over 50 years, but all the challenges failed, thus reaffirming the legal validity of Roe for a half-century. There are only so many ways to challenge legal validity.
Which brings us to the current court. There was no new challenge, no new laws to assert regarding Roe.
The court’s ploy was to kick the decision to the states, knowing full well that 23 Republican state legislatures stood ready, in the absence of Roe, to enforce restrictive abortion laws.
And they all did. Mission accomplished. But the chicanery of the move is astonishing. How do you trust a court that would go to these lengths to achieve its political goals?
We know it was political because the only thing that changed in 50 years was the very recent addition of three conservative judges.
A black robe is the honored uniform of a judge. But in the case of five conservative Supreme Court justices, the robe is just something for a politician to hide behind.
Mike Deignan, Punta Gorda
Add veterans to Amendment 3 tax break
On Oct. 21, Bill Cotterell, who is not identified by occupation or political affiliation, offered a “Florida Voting Guide” on the three amendments we will vote on in November.
I am writing about Amendment 3, which would award an additional $50,000 homestead exemption to a broad listing of civilian government workers and active-duty military.
The writer does not exactly make a recommendation but states that the proposal “sailed” through both the Florida House and Senate.
I am strongly opposed to it for the following reason: Veterans are not offered the property tax break. We war veterans risked our lives, endured extremely difficult living conditions, were separated from our families and were paid next to nothing for our service.
The Legislature is pushing this big financial reward mainly for people who have not experienced any of the extreme difficulties we did. I wonder if even one politician got up and pointed out the inequity of this.
The unfairness of this is mind-boggling and adds one more notch to my long list of reasons to disrespect politicians.What about us?
William B. Allen, Longboat Key
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: GOP leadership would worsen crime, U.S. not founded on Christianity
