Tuesday’s letters: Unsung heroes, evaluating candidates, appreciating right to vote, more

Unsung heroes stand their ground

First, Jon Stewart successfully fought to have Congress pass legislation to treat 9/11 first responders.

He was relentless; he would not stop. In 2019, Congress passed the legislation.

Now Stewart's battle is over expansion of medical coverage to veterans exposed to burn pits. Once again, he rolls up his sleeves and is relentless in getting this legislation passed.

More: How to send a letter to the editor

When it comes to gun legislation, I can name only two senators who fought so hard to get this righteous legislation passed, Sens. Chris Murphy and John Cornyn, who led the successful effort to agree on a bipartisan gun deal.

Finally, there is Olivia Julianna, a 19-year-old who has raised over $1.5 million for abortion rights funds since Congressman Matt Gaetz body-shamed her.

Only a handful of courageous individuals like these stand their ground for what they believe in and refuse to quit – yet there are far too many who don’t.

Rich Unger, Sarasota

How to evaluate School Board candidates

Despite identifying School Board elections as nonpartisan, they are in fact very partisan, as evidenced by some information in Steven Walker’s July 29 article highlighting Sarasota’s board candidates (“Funds flow into School Board race,” July 29).

But before voters mark their ballots, they might want to disregard the party endorsements and, instead, ask themselves some questions about each candidate.

Does the candidate know the school system? They might have children attending a district school, attended it themselves or have volunteered there.

What community relationships does the candidate have? How have they contributed to the community’s betterment? Will the candidate place the needs of the district above their own personal goals?

Some candidates may have political ambitions that could  affect their decisions, and they may give those ambitions priority over what’s best for the schools.

Does the candidate support equity for all students and represent all constituencies? How do you know this? When making decisions as a board member, would the candidate respect teachers’ and staff members’ expertise and judgment – or would they view parents’ rights as the final arbiter? What evidence do you have for this?

Answers to these questions will assure an informed vote, rather than one just based on party affiliation.

Jill Lewis-Spector, Sarasota

Jan. 6 investigation crucial to democracy

For those who think the Jan. 6 Committee is “just a production,” I would remind them that Republicans held a two-year politically charged investigation of Hillary Clinton over Benghazi.

The Jan. 6 investigation is bipartisan and crucial to the well-being of our democracy. Such insurrection, sedition and diminishing of public trust in our electoral system and government institutions cannot be allowed. Actions must be taken to prevent such an event arising in the future.

Then-President Donald Trump knew there were guns and weapons among his followers that day; he argued that they should not be screened or their weapons withheld. They were not there to hurt him.

Trump incited the insurrection further by tweeting Vice President Mike Pence’s “failure” to do the right thing, though he knew it to be illegal and tweeting about it would increase the mob’s fury.

Trump watched on TV as the carnage happened and for 187 minutes did nothing. Nothing, despite urgent appeals from general counsels, Republican leaders at the Capitol and family.

Whether or not Trump is found guilty of a crime, let us all agree that he is not fit – morally or intellectually – to hold public office anywhere in America.

Geraldine Bernier, Sarasota

Make the most of our right to vote

While we enjoy life’s gentle blessings, political activists are usurping our rights and powers, conceded to them by our complacency.

We complain about public officials whenever a single hot cause grabs our immediate attention. We complain, we whine, we pour another drink, we pontificate until we finally rationalize with a sigh that we can live with the bad decision but that we could have done it better.

We were given a profound gift by our Founding Fathers at their personal peril – a gift that most of us have not really earned but that we take for granted. We have the right to vote, to select our own leaders if current officials fail us.

And yet, we learn that around half of us who are eligible to participate in elections do not bother to avail themselves of this privilege, even in national presidential elections. Shame on us.

Please take your stand on Election Day. If you care about women’s rights, gun control, treasonous or cowardly politics, public health care, the cost of living or other issues, please research the candidates and then vote accordingly!

Please make the gifts of our Founding Fathers mean something.

Steve LeGore, Bradenton

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Unsung heroes fight relentlessly for their cause, evaluate candidates