Hang Ten Commandments in the Capitol, Oval Office
Some states are considering having the Ten Commandments displayed in all public school classrooms. I have a better idea: In light of the results of the recent election, I am suggesting that the Ten Commandments be prominently displayed in the halls of Congress and especially in the Oval Office. Perhaps our esteemed elected officials will take note.
Allan Bevevino
South Whitehall Township
Citizens elected convicted felon as president
The citizens of this country have voted, by a free and fair election, for a convicted felon to be the 47th president of the United States. And he was convicted by a jury of his peers, fellow citizens of this country.
Now these very citizens and the 47th president have the perfect opportunity to advocate for changes as we all continue to make America great. Some examples: I understand that it’s common practice in America to make felons ineligible to vote. This is a state-by-state policy choice. We know of one convicted felon who lives in Florida and was eligible to vote.
Let’s unite citizens, and allow all convicted felons the right to vote. And why stop here? In the belief of the greatness of America, let’s work toward prison reform, health care for all, economic justice and affordable housing.
Please citizens, remember to be kind to one another.
Dagny Danga-Storm
Bethlehem
Democrats don’t need to change policies
A recent letter to the editor took Democrats to task for failing to change their policies and ideas to reflect the will of “the general populace” and “the majority of voters” who voted Donald Trump back into office.
That writer has a peculiar view of both democracy and human nature. It’s beside the point that Trump didn’t in fact win quite a majority; even if he’d won 70%, Democrats would be wrong to change their basic beliefs. The party out of office doesn’t fundamentally change because they lost; that, indeed, would be hypocrisy.
I accept that Trump won more votes than Kamala Harris, and that he’s going to be the legitimate president. But I do not believe most of his policies or attitudes are appropriate or sensible; I do believe the country will be worse off on a number of fronts in four years; and I believe that a variety of innocent people are going to be endangered because Trump will be president. It’s called the loyal opposition, legitimately opposed to a legitimate president.
Did Trump fall in line or change his beliefs when Joe Biden legitimately won? The trouble is, he wasn’t even loyal about it. I am, but that doesn’t keep me from being opposed. That’s democracy.
John Groff
Allentown
Thank you to hospital staff
Having just spent the last 10 days in Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest I want to say thank you to the nursing staff of the 4K section of the hospital. They were kind, understanding and did their job with complete competence. Special shout out to Emily you were fantastic.
Keith McDermott
Alburtis
Trump bad choice for America
Beware, America. You have ignored the warnings of four-star generals and Donald Trump’s former staff. You have elected someone accused of violating our own Constitution when he did not allow for a peaceful transfer of power in 2020. You have elected someone who thrives by lies and intimidation, a bully who ridicules people in cruel ways. You have elected someone who brags only about himself and how he can grab women by their body parts.
You could have chosen someone who respects our Constitution, someone who immediately extended peaceful transfer of power upon conceding the 2024 election, but you chose an amoral person to be our leader.
You have now begun to see the retribution that he promised: mostly unqualified appointees who have not been vetted by the FBI as had been done in the past and only those who demonstrate loyalty. Project 2025 and its proposals to transform our federal government into an authoritarian one have only just begun. Beware, America, this is what you have chosen.
Margaret Bilheimer
South Whitehall Township
Federal programs help children and adults with disabilities
My son Alex recently celebrated his 34th birthday. I am so proud of the amazing individual he has become despite all the challenges he has because he is autistic. He lives independently, has a part-time job, fulfilling hobbies, a caring family and friends.
Because of the federal- and state-funded Medicaid waiver for adults with autism, Alex receives services from local nonprofit agencies, including Via of the Lehigh Valley and the Lehigh Valley Center for Independent Living. These services foster his independence and growth. He also benefits from housing assistance from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Without this support, and the support he received during his school years through federal special education funding provided by the U.S. Department of Education, he would not be where he is.
The Trump administration is looking to cut agencies and programs that help American children and adults with disabilities live their best lives. With so many already on waiting lists for services, what will happen to these individuals and their families? I hope that my son and all children and adults with disabilities can continue to count on our government to support them so that they remain valued citizens of our country.
Michele Grasso
North Whitehall Township
Children sacrificed to protect gun ownership
An article in the Nov. 21 edition of The Morning Call informed us that the Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled the city of Philadelphia can not impose gun control laws stricter than those that are already state law.
We must honor our school children who lay down their lives to protect our right to bear arms.
Iris Linares
Bethlehem
The Morning Call encourages community dialogue on important issues. Submit a letter to the editor at letters@mcall.com.
