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Not Trump’s Night: The Red Wave That Wasn’t Not Trump’s Night: The Red Wave That Wasn’t
(32 minutes later)
To the Editor:To the Editor:
Re “Trump Hoped for a Celebration but Did Not Have Much to Cheer” (news article, nytimes.com, Nov. 9):Re “Trump Hoped for a Celebration but Did Not Have Much to Cheer” (news article, nytimes.com, Nov. 9):
Many of the candidates supported by Donald Trump who did well in the primaries did not do well on Election Day. Will this be enough for the Republican Party to cut his stranglehold?Many of the candidates supported by Donald Trump who did well in the primaries did not do well on Election Day. Will this be enough for the Republican Party to cut his stranglehold?
In contrast, Ron DeSantis had an easy and decisive win in his Florida gubernatorial race. This is good news for Democrats if Donald Trump is the 2024 Republican presidential nominee. If Mr. DeSantis is the candidate, I’m not so sure he can be beaten. He’s smarter, more strategic and disciplined, and his demeanor is more palatable to moderate Republicans and independents, especially compared with wacky Mr. Trump.In contrast, Ron DeSantis had an easy and decisive win in his Florida gubernatorial race. This is good news for Democrats if Donald Trump is the 2024 Republican presidential nominee. If Mr. DeSantis is the candidate, I’m not so sure he can be beaten. He’s smarter, more strategic and disciplined, and his demeanor is more palatable to moderate Republicans and independents, especially compared with wacky Mr. Trump.
He’s a much more formidable opponent, and his demagogy and political vindictiveness make him very dangerous. Mr. Trump wears his dangers on his sleeve, so that makes him extremely predictable. Mr. DeSantis covers them under a rational facade.He’s a much more formidable opponent, and his demagogy and political vindictiveness make him very dangerous. Mr. Trump wears his dangers on his sleeve, so that makes him extremely predictable. Mr. DeSantis covers them under a rational facade.
Chris Nicole PrinceNew YorkChris Nicole PrinceNew York
To the Editor:To the Editor:
In the Senate race in Georgia, there is, as of this writing, the likely situation of a third-party candidate garnering enough votes so that neither major-party candidate achieves the 50 percent threshold for election. This requires an expensive runoff, while delaying the much-anticipated results. In the Senate race in Georgia, a third-party candidate garnered enough votes so that neither major-party candidate achieved the 50 percent threshold for election. This requires an expensive runoff, while delaying the much-anticipated results.
The obvious solution is “ranked choice” voting, a process already in place in several jurisdictions, which produces a winner without the need for a separate runoff election. It should be more universally adopted.The obvious solution is “ranked choice” voting, a process already in place in several jurisdictions, which produces a winner without the need for a separate runoff election. It should be more universally adopted.
Richard M. FrauenglassHuntington, N.Y.Richard M. FrauenglassHuntington, N.Y.
To the Editor:To the Editor:
The only time I feel the power of my vote, as a Democrat living in the deeply red state of South Carolina, is when I cast it in the open Republican presidential primary here. I have voted for people, like John McCain and Mitt Romney, who have integrity and can work with others. Never would I vote for someone in whom I did not have confidence.The only time I feel the power of my vote, as a Democrat living in the deeply red state of South Carolina, is when I cast it in the open Republican presidential primary here. I have voted for people, like John McCain and Mitt Romney, who have integrity and can work with others. Never would I vote for someone in whom I did not have confidence.
Shame on any Democrat (or Democratic PAC) who supported the extremist wing of the Republican Party in the recent primary season because they expected that the extremists would lose in the general election. They helped to create a very scary scenario in this election cycle. We seemed to have survived it with less MAGA damage than had been predicted, but this was a truly stupid idea.Shame on any Democrat (or Democratic PAC) who supported the extremist wing of the Republican Party in the recent primary season because they expected that the extremists would lose in the general election. They helped to create a very scary scenario in this election cycle. We seemed to have survived it with less MAGA damage than had been predicted, but this was a truly stupid idea.
Scott HarrisColumbia, S.C.Scott HarrisColumbia, S.C.
To the Editor:To the Editor:
“Democratic Peers Abroad Ask: Why Can’t America Fix Itself?” (front page, Nov. 9) suggests that America might fix itself if its leaders start respecting the distinction between the letter of democracy and its spirit. For democracy to work, free, open and fair elections are not enough. There must also be norms of mutual toleration and respect for the essential dignity of one’s political opponents.“Democratic Peers Abroad Ask: Why Can’t America Fix Itself?” (front page, Nov. 9) suggests that America might fix itself if its leaders start respecting the distinction between the letter of democracy and its spirit. For democracy to work, free, open and fair elections are not enough. There must also be norms of mutual toleration and respect for the essential dignity of one’s political opponents.
The midterm elections showed that both of these norms have been worn thin. Political opponents were portrayed as enemies of the people. Differences of policy appeared to be not over opposing values but over good versus evil. Such talk is irresponsible and irrational and makes the compromise essential for democracy increasingly difficult.The midterm elections showed that both of these norms have been worn thin. Political opponents were portrayed as enemies of the people. Differences of policy appeared to be not over opposing values but over good versus evil. Such talk is irresponsible and irrational and makes the compromise essential for democracy increasingly difficult.
The problem is what Tocqueville described as radical individualism. In a political age in which the media never forgets and inauthenticity is punished, politicians feel bound to do what they say, and if what they say is extreme, their actions tend to follow. Individuals win, but the country loses. Many Americans understood this and turned the red wave into a ripple.The problem is what Tocqueville described as radical individualism. In a political age in which the media never forgets and inauthenticity is punished, politicians feel bound to do what they say, and if what they say is extreme, their actions tend to follow. Individuals win, but the country loses. Many Americans understood this and turned the red wave into a ripple.
Robert O. SlaterLafayette, La.Robert O. SlaterLafayette, La.
To the Editor:To the Editor:
As a recent immigrant to the United States from the United Kingdom, I voted for the first time last week. When I reached my polling station at a swimming pool off-season, I informed the staff on duty, as I didn’t know what to do.As a recent immigrant to the United States from the United Kingdom, I voted for the first time last week. When I reached my polling station at a swimming pool off-season, I informed the staff on duty, as I didn’t know what to do.
“We’ve got a first-time voter!” the man said. The entire place stood up and clapped.“We’ve got a first-time voter!” the man said. The entire place stood up and clapped.
The moment will stay with me for the rest of my life. I would like to thank the good people at the Red Hook Pool for reminding me how beautiful and how powerful democracy can be.The moment will stay with me for the rest of my life. I would like to thank the good people at the Red Hook Pool for reminding me how beautiful and how powerful democracy can be.
Alice WalkerBrooklynAlice WalkerBrooklyn
To the Editor:To the Editor:
Re “G.O.P. Signals Plans to Shrink Social Security” (front page, Nov. 3):Re “G.O.P. Signals Plans to Shrink Social Security” (front page, Nov. 3):
Your article discussing the partisan wrangling over Republicans’ plans for Social Security and Medicare is missing an important piece — discussion of a viable solution other than cutting benefits.Your article discussing the partisan wrangling over Republicans’ plans for Social Security and Medicare is missing an important piece — discussion of a viable solution other than cutting benefits.
As descendants of the creators of Social Security — F.D.R.; his vice president Henry A. Wallace; his labor secretary, Frances Perkins; and his commerce secretary Harry Hopkins — we share the alarm of President Biden and Barack Obama at proposals from leading Republican senators to terminate the hitherto unbreakable guarantee of benefits under both Social Security and Medicare — benefits earned by a lifetime of payroll taxes taken out of every paycheck.As descendants of the creators of Social Security — F.D.R.; his vice president Henry A. Wallace; his labor secretary, Frances Perkins; and his commerce secretary Harry Hopkins — we share the alarm of President Biden and Barack Obama at proposals from leading Republican senators to terminate the hitherto unbreakable guarantee of benefits under both Social Security and Medicare — benefits earned by a lifetime of payroll taxes taken out of every paycheck.
Yes, both programs face solvency challenges. But there is an obvious solution other than curbing benefits: Eliminate the cap on the amount of income that is subject to the payroll tax — currently $147,000 — which ridiculously favors the wealthy. A C.E.O. who earns $10 million pays less than 0.01 percent, an incomprehensible injustice to a nurse paying 6.2 percent.Yes, both programs face solvency challenges. But there is an obvious solution other than curbing benefits: Eliminate the cap on the amount of income that is subject to the payroll tax — currently $147,000 — which ridiculously favors the wealthy. A C.E.O. who earns $10 million pays less than 0.01 percent, an incomprehensible injustice to a nurse paying 6.2 percent.
We understand the toxicity of tax increases in this political season. So let us fervently channel our politically savvy ancestors. To honor the promises made generations ago to American workers, make today’s wealthiest pay the same payroll tax rate as everybody else.We understand the toxicity of tax increases in this political season. So let us fervently channel our politically savvy ancestors. To honor the promises made generations ago to American workers, make today’s wealthiest pay the same payroll tax rate as everybody else.
Henry Scott WallaceJim Roosevelt Jr.Tomlin Perkins CoggeshallJune HopkinsHenry Scott WallaceJim Roosevelt Jr.Tomlin Perkins CoggeshallJune Hopkins
To the Editor:To the Editor:
Re “Suicide Attempts Amid Cruelty in Louisiana Juvenile Detention” (front page, Oct. 30):Re “Suicide Attempts Amid Cruelty in Louisiana Juvenile Detention” (front page, Oct. 30):
We read with horror and sorrow the abuse of juveniles incarcerated in Louisiana’s juvenile detention system. We represented the juvenile class plaintiffs in Nelson v. Heyne (1974). The Nelson case established a constitutional right to rehabilitation and treatment for juveniles incarcerated in state institutions.We read with horror and sorrow the abuse of juveniles incarcerated in Louisiana’s juvenile detention system. We represented the juvenile class plaintiffs in Nelson v. Heyne (1974). The Nelson case established a constitutional right to rehabilitation and treatment for juveniles incarcerated in state institutions.
After 48 years, to read that many of the same abuses outlawed in Nelson are allegedly still perpetrated on juveniles incarcerated in Louisiana is shocking to the conscience.After 48 years, to read that many of the same abuses outlawed in Nelson are allegedly still perpetrated on juveniles incarcerated in Louisiana is shocking to the conscience.
As the Seventh Circuit stated in Nelson, the right to treatment includes “the right to minimum acceptable standards of care and treatment for juveniles and the right to individualized care and treatment.” When a state assumes the place of a juvenile’s parents, the court wrote, the treatment should be “what proper parental care would provide.”As the Seventh Circuit stated in Nelson, the right to treatment includes “the right to minimum acceptable standards of care and treatment for juveniles and the right to individualized care and treatment.” When a state assumes the place of a juvenile’s parents, the court wrote, the treatment should be “what proper parental care would provide.”
When will we as a nation address the unbelievable 21st-century wrong posed in the immoral, unconstitutional and cruel treatment of children in state-run juvenile facilities, in Louisiana and elsewhere?When will we as a nation address the unbelievable 21st-century wrong posed in the immoral, unconstitutional and cruel treatment of children in state-run juvenile facilities, in Louisiana and elsewhere?
Tom DiGraziaJohn ForhanTom DiGraziaJohn Forhan
To the Editor:To the Editor:
“The Robber Barons Had Nothing on Elon Musk,” by David Nasaw (Opinion guest essay, Oct. 29), highlighted the damage caused by greed and unregulated commerce.“The Robber Barons Had Nothing on Elon Musk,” by David Nasaw (Opinion guest essay, Oct. 29), highlighted the damage caused by greed and unregulated commerce.
Elon Musk, who recently purchased Twitter, promotes himself as a champion of free speech. It is unclear what he means by free speech and how he will change Twitter.Elon Musk, who recently purchased Twitter, promotes himself as a champion of free speech. It is unclear what he means by free speech and how he will change Twitter.
Under responsible leadership Twitter can become the productive digital town square we always hoped it would be. But if it’s a platform for fraud, we should all do what harms social media most — ignore it.Under responsible leadership Twitter can become the productive digital town square we always hoped it would be. But if it’s a platform for fraud, we should all do what harms social media most — ignore it.
Eileen ShannonBrooklynEileen ShannonBrooklyn