How about a volunteer school board — and why the Mar-a-Lago raid? Letters, Aug. 28, 2022

Fine's landing rights theory doesn't fly

Rep. Randy Fine blames President Biden for the “First come, first served” landing rights at most United States airports, but with the exception of Kennedy, Reagan, and LaGuardia  airports, that policy has been in place since commercial airlines were created. —

Rep. Fine also chastises Biden’s billionaire donors who fly their private planes, but don’t Republican billionaires also own private planes? Rep. Fine is calling for Biden to regulate the air industry to prioritize commercial airlines landing rights over private jets. As a Republican Rep. Fine should realize that this is blasphemy; deregulation is the Republican mantra, not regulation. Most private jets land at private jet airports, not commercial ones.

There is a problem with our airport industry but private jets are not the cause of airline cancellations or delays. It would behoove Rep. Fine to investigate the actual causes of airline problems instead of tilting at windmills.

Kevin Barwin, Satellite Beach

Air polices not determined by Biden

The Aug. 25 column by Rep. Fine is misleading. I doubt that Joe Biden’s administration is responsible for the “first come, first served policy.” Rules governing the airlines and navigation are regulated by the FAA and not subject to Biden's whims.

It seems funny that the big airlines are not complaining about traffic control like Fine is. He should also be reminded that two of the largest private plane manufacturers are right in his backyard. All in all, his article is a tacky piece of journalism and completely misleading.

William Schwarze, Rockledge

NPAs: We're not tied to one ideology

As NPAs, we can change our registration to Democrat or Republican to vote in the primary. We are not welded to independent status. We can then change back to NPA.

Why isn't this option ever mentioned when writing about parties in Florida?

We are NPA for philosophical reasons: We are tired of the football huddle approach of caucus, to call a play, then go up to the line to beat the other party. And if we dare stray, we fear recrimination by being blasted as a RINO or a right-wing Democrat, or even as Rep. Cheney just learned, practically banned from the party.

We no longer must listen to party music; we can get our information from all sources on any issue. (I haven’t watched Fox News commentary or any cable or national network news for two years.) We don't understand why crucial topics such as racism and abortion must be party-affiliated. Neither issue is either liberal or conservative.

Getting out of the Republican Party was liberating for me. I still tilt conservative, but I'm free to pick and choose my own approach to issues. I’m amazed at how much I’ve missed without listening to the other side.

Most of all, we try to serve as a conduit to tease the best out of both parties to reach a consensus that better serves all citizens.

Francis J. Clifford, Suntree

Let's have a volunteer school board

It’s really  a shame that school boards have become political patsies. How immoral and unethical to use our children as pawns for  an elected official own personal gain.

Here is my suggestion — we no longer pay school board members. Have it as a volunteer position — that way they cannot be bought. Other states have it that way and it works. Let’s not use our children and their education to further our politicians’ aggressive self-interests.

Laura Petruska, Melbourne

Raid at Mar-a-Lago: What the heck?

The shock of the raid on President Trump's home has finally lifted, and the outrage of it has set in.

What the heck is going on? Raiding the home of the 45th president of the United States, in a first in the history of our constitutional republic — that's what's going on. They confiscated the president's belongings, broke into his safe, and violated the first lady's personal space. But what, pray tell, are they planning to do with Melania Trump's wardrobe?

The Trumps are citizens of the United States and have Fourth Amendment rights, which prohibit unreasonable search and seizure. Why are the people in the current administration all fired up to raid President Trump's home? Is it because the November elections are soon going to take place, or worse, are they trying to drum up criminal charges against him so that he cannot run for president in 2024?

Also of great concern is that by raiding the home of the 45th president of the United States, they demonstrate that they have no problem doing it to any citizen, anytime.

This is America, where no one is above the law. And, that goes for those who are supposed to be enforcing the law, as well.  It's time to rein in the FBI and the DOJ and require them to honor the law, too.

Sylvia Sharpe, Doug Sharpe and Paula Estridge are members of the Brevard Republican Executive Committee.

Violent rhetoric doesn't bode well

Republican leadership is fanning the flames of violence. Recently, Sen. Chuck Grassley talked on Fox News about the IRS “strike force that goes in with AK-15s already loaded, ready to shoot some small-business person in Iowa.”

Florida Republican Luis Miguel, running in redrawn House District 20, was suspended permanently from Twitter after tweeting “Under my plan, all Floridians will be able to shoot FBI, IRS, ATF, and all other federal troops on sight. Let freedom ring.”

Our Marco Rubio called the search at Mar-a-Lago a “disgrace” and “a Marxist dictatorship” carried out by the FBI.

In 2021 there was a disturbing increase in intimidation, harassment, and threats of violence against school administrators, counselors, teachers, and staff by the radical right.

In 2022 law enforcement is the target. Elected Republicans are calling to “defund the FBI." On social media, the message is "lock and load," "civil war" and "replace the government." Once thought to be treasonous comments, they're now mainstreamed by Fox News evening celebrities and pushed by radicals on the Gab and Truth Social networks, and by Republican leadership.

Violent rhetoric leads to events like the Oklahoma City bombing.  Days after the Mar-a-Lago search, an armed, outspoken Truth Social and Jan. 6 offender was killed in Ohio after trying to breach the Cincinnati FBI office.

Now we have online harassment and death threats directed at election officials and volunteers. Who would do such a thing? Election deniers. Q-anon conspiracists. Proud Boys. In short, today's MAGA Republicans.

Jeff Dorman, Satellite Beach

Numbers of those voting illegally slim

Wow. The governor's crack voter fraud team has unearthed 20 individuals who voted illegally.

So, let's do the math: There were more than 10 million votes cast in our state in 2020.

He has, at great expense, I might add, found 20 exceptions thus far. And, not all in the same district, so hardly enough to change even a local school board race, and he's crowing about it.

Keep it up governor. By the time you leave office, you may get to a couple hundred out of 10 million, but by then there will be dozens of new elections to examine.

What idiocy. There is no significant fraud going on — you just proved it. Twenty out of 10 million.

Joe Tierno, Melbourne Beach

Cutting the unhealthy fossil-fuel cord

I have been a nurse for the last 45 years and a nurse practitioner for the past 28 years (including 22 years serving in the U.S. Air Force), and a recent article in the New England Journal of Medicine greatly concerns me.

They report that “Each year, an estimated 8.7 million people die worldwide because of fossil-fuel–generated particulate air pollution.” We would all benefit from the effects of cleaner air as it contributes to many health conditions such as asthma and other lung diseases. Pregnant women and children have suffered some of the greatest health consequences.

I have had solar panels on my roof for the past seven years. It has cut our electric bill from an average of $210 to $11 per month (although new FPL rates for low users are disappointing). We also own two electric cars and charge at home at least 95% of the time. Not only is this a benefit financially for us, we save time passing by the lines at  gas stations, and we breathe cleaner air.

The recent Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) will lower air pollution while bringing Florida more economic opportunities for local clean energy, including financial incentives for individuals to buy solar panels and electric vehicles. Other financial benefits to local businesses include homeowners taking advantage of the home energy rebate programs, including rebates and tax incentives.

There’s still more work to be done to cut fossil-fuel–generated particulate air pollution and I expect incumbent members of Congress, and any candidates running for office, to commit to effective action. We all need to work together to reduce our energy footprint.

Carol Becker, Suntree

'Our elections are free and fair'

No one person is bigger than our country. No one person is above the law. To suggest that the U.S. is not a great nation is an insult to everyone. Our forefathers fought to protect the democracy of this country.  Since when do we need politicians telling teachers what they should be teaching? Why are our law enforcement officials involved in politics?

Many of our politicians have failed us miserably. They stand up and tell us what is wrong but offer nothing in the way of improving our country and way of life. We have allowed these people to poison the minds of everyone. If you are unable to offer constructive suggestions, then you are a part of the problem and not the solution. We need to reject their rhetoric and elect people who have the greater good of the majority at heart. The real loser is the American people.

No matter what you have been told by these self-serving politicians, our elections are free and fair. You may not necessarily like the results, but the will of the people has been upheld. That is democracy at its best.

When you go to the polls, think long and hard about what is best for the majority of the people in this country.  Forget the tough talk. it is nothing more than a smokescreen.  America is a great place to live and raise your children. Make the choices that will continue to protect our democracy.  Reject the rhetoric and make your voice heard before it’s too late.

Cathy Woods, Titusville

This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Don't use children to further political goals: Letters, Aug. 22, 2022