Opinions expressed in Letters to the Editor are those of our readers and not the Pensacola News Journal. In order for letters to be considered for publication, they must be 250 words or less and include name, a full address and phone number. Only your name and city of residence will be published. Email submissions to opinion@pnj.com.
Driven out of Pensacola
As a lifelong Pensacola resident, I relocated to Rhode Island due to my home state’s increasing government overreach. Regrettably, Gov. DeSantis’ latest actions in the culture war now target our immigrant neighbors, many of whom I grew up with.
Senate Bill 1718, endorsed by DeSantis, invalidates driver’s licenses issued to undocumented immigrants from five states (RI, CT, DE, HI, and VT) and criminalizes undocumented workers. It also expands cooperation with federal law enforcement, imposing severe socioeconomic consequences.
While DeSantis claims to protect children, these intrusive policies will irreparably harm them. By branding our immigrant neighbors as felons for merely providing for their families or driving their children to school, DeSantis ensures lifelong impacts on the nearly 300,000 U.S. citizen children living with undocumented parents in Florida (FWD.us). Meanwhile, employers who exploit and endanger unauthorized migrants receive lenient treatment.
Rather than addressing increasing living costs faced by hardworking Americans like you and me, DeSantis manufactures battles in a distracting culture war. While we struggle to afford essential needs like healthy food and safe housing, the political donor class monopolizes billions. DeSantis may dismiss this letter as leftist lunacy, but I uphold the values enshrined in our constitution, unlike the plutocrats in Tallahassee who pass bills favoring special interests while stripping away our essential freedoms.
Jimmy Dufurrena, East Providence, Rhode Island
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Better meaning for DEI
“DEI” supposedly stands for diversity, equity and inclusion. But these terms seem confusing to many. For example, does diversity mean sexual orientation, race, gender, political viewpoint, religion or whatever? The same with equity and diversity. Too much fuzzy thinking.
I propose we consider changing DEI to mean more seemingly practical and helpful goals… such as determination, equal opportunity and individuation?
Visualize determination meaning dedicated effort to acquire the necessary credentials to enable people to materially support themselves doing work that brings them the greatest joy.
Equal opportunity meaning leveling the playing field to enable all to seek success in a diverse economy. And individuation meaning encouraging all to explore their skills and interests and capabilities as unique Individuals and encouraging all to evaluate others on the basis of individual performance and character versus lumping people with a shared characteristic together as a “class” and then judging them differently.
Would this change not make DEI more understandable, fairer, and much more conducive towards promoting the greatest good for the greatest number of all? And maybe most importantly, would it not make the whole process less conducive to divisiveness? Think about it.
Ed Middleswart, Pensacola
Postage costs rising, not service
I understand that the government – specifically the post office – has had numerous issues over the last few years with personnel, deliveries, fraud, theft, having to increase service prices, etc., etc.
However, what I do not understand is why regular mail continually cannot get delivered, either when anticipated or at all. I mailed a Father’s Day card to my son in Orlando on June 12 – it took eight days to get there. Thankfully it was received, but after Father’s Day.
I mailed a Father’s Day card to my son-in-law in Virginia Beach on June 12 – it was never received. I mailed a birthday card to a very special friend in Milton on June 23 – it has not been received.
Yet, another price increase went into effect on July 1. What is that increase being used for – more employees who apparently cannot do their job?
It is very disheartening to know that consumers have to spend more money than what they spent on the letter, card or contents, just to insure it gets delivered (certified – priority, etc.) vs. normal postage costs.
Sandy Hogue, Pensacola
Gates open at border
Our southern border has become excessively penetrable under the present administration.
The undocumented immigrants are arriving on our side of the border suffering from heat exhaustion or even worse heat stroke. This ties up what’s left of our border patrol taking care of them.
By “what’s left,” I mean that many are taking early retirement or just flat resigning out of frustration with their lack of support. It’s time we elect a strong, sane and moral chief executive.
Dave Burson, Pensacola
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Readers don’t hold back: Letters: DeSantis’ book banning is only the start of his measures against free expression
Ruling opens door for doctors
Well folks! It seems to me that the recent ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court regarding the protection of the free speech rights of a person who didn’t want to serve LGBTQ people – despite a Colorado law that required them to do so – could be used to overturn a Florida law that requires doctors to clamp their mouths shut (thus denying their free speech rights) when they want to ask patients about the presence of guns in the patients’ homes.
It seems to me that the doctors’ case is just as important a case as the recent SCOTUS ruling. Let’s get the NRA out of the business of suppressing First Amendment rights once and for all.
Jeffrey Elliot, Pensacola
Government branches falling apart
The London Bridge is falling down. All three branches of our government are in jeopardy. First our legislators became hopeless deadlocked. Next, the judicial branch. Now our already shaky executive branch is allowing cocaine into the White House. Is it too late to fortify our weakened bridge?
Dave Burson, Pensacola
America falls short, but there is hope
We live in a country that has a Constitution that implies that all men are created equal and are entitled to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness; a Pledge of Allegiance that alludes that America is one nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all; and a National Anthem that was racist when written. To date these things are still untrue. This indicates that America has never been what it espoused to be.
- We live in a country that allows criminals to run for political office, including the highest office in the country, the presidency.
- A country that would rather teach our children a false narrative of American history rather than a true one.
- A country where a segment of the population is more concerned about its Second Amendment rights than the welfare of its children.
- A country where many of our legislators are corrupt and more interested in serving their own interests rather than those of their constituents.
In spite of all its faults and failures, we live in one of the greatest countries in the world and we have the capacity and the ability to make these things true and live peacefully together. If only we had the common sense to do so.
Carlton J. Charles, Pensacola
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