Opposes ‘open primaries’
Regarding your editorial of Dec. 6, “Democracy in Florida needs a reset”.
If I had arrived in this country yesterday and read this editorial today, I would have to conclude that our creaky political parties are evil organizations dedicated to voter suppression, simply due to their ongoing adherence to “closed” primary elections.
That’s how over-the-top your rhetoric is. I don’t oppose putting the open-primary initiative on the ballot, but I’m hard-pressed to perceive a real grievance on the part of voters who think they should be allowed to help select leaders of clubs they don’t want to join. And nothing is stopping them from joining.
You’re not “disenfranchised” when you can vote in the general election; disqualification from voting in the primary election is self-imposed.
Marc Rohr, Plantation
Trump and record stock markets
In a Dec. 7 letter, a writer blamed occasional comments by President Trump for the market going down, and asked if Trump was unaware that many people have 401Ks and IRAs.
The letter writer has chosen to ignore the fact that the U.S. stock markets are up well over 40 percent since Trump entered office. The Dow Jones and S&P 500 have seen over 100 new historic highs during that period.
When Trump says he “doesn’t care about the stock market,” he means the normal daily fluctuations. He is and should be rightfully proud of the 100 historic market highs during his administration. No previous president attained as many during the first three years of his tenure.
Edward Boslow, Delray Beach
Congress must reject government-run healthcare
It’s amazing that some Democratic politicians are still trying to push a government takeover of our healthcare insurance system. The idea is quite frankly terrifying.
Even the introduction of a public option to compete on the ACA’s exchanges would spell disaster for private and employer-sponsored healthcare coverage. Eventually, a government-funded option would crowd out the marketplace, leading to higher private premiums and slowly but surely eliminating options that Americans currently have when it comes to finding individualized plans to fit their needs.
Moreover, as a study released earlier this summer reveals, a public option would put 55 percent of rural hospitals “at high risk of closure,” including many right here in Florida. And to think this is one of the more “moderate” options being pushed by proponents of one-size-fits-all healthcare.
Call it what you will — government-run healthcare is the last thing Floridians need.
Debbie Hediger, Altamonte Springs
Substitute teachers and sub-standard wages
Regarding the article about Orlando theme park wages set to go to $15-an-hour, why are substitute teachers in Broward paid less than that?
The current wage of $11.27 per hour has not been adjusted in 12 years. We have much of the same responsibilities as regular teachers, ensuring their safety, giving every child guidance and a chance to learn.
There is no overtime, no sick days, no holiday pay, no paid vacation.
The shortage of substitute teachers is inherent to the lack of compensation. Gov. Ron DeSantis had vowed to raise teacher pay in Florida. Let’s not forget the substitute teachers, who are the glue that keeps the system together.
Don West, Tamarac
