Letters to the Editor | Dec. 28, 2023

It is undeniable that the stock market is hitting record highs, and that during Joe Biden’s first three years in office, more new jobs have been created than during any other presidency in history. Further, the rate of unemployment remains historically low, and now, with moderating inflation, wage growth is exceeding the inflation rate; that is, purchasing power is actually increasing. Yet, Biden’s economic approval ratings are, metaphorically, still an anchor dragging down his bid for reelection.

For Biden, it is imperative that his approval ratings improve from their currently abysmal level. This will require that the divergence between a positive economic reality and negative perceptions of the economy be eliminated. While there is always a lag between a change in reality and a change in perception, the current lag feels unduly large and resistant to change. It’s safe to say that if Biden wants a good shot at being reelected, it’s vital these negative perceptions start to trend in a more positive direction.

Ken Derow, Swarthmore

Christmas was muted this year, given the suffering and turmoil here and abroad. The conflicts seem dystopian and inextricable, and their solutions elude us. Against this backdrop, enjoying annual holiday messages, songs, and traditions might, to some, feel guilt-ridden and hollow, blind to the hostilities and pain inflicted on others around the globe. Yet it is precisely in those time-honored traditions and messages where solutions to these complex problems lie.

Peace on Earth, goodwill, sharing, giving, looking out for one another, empathy, compassion, and love — axioms found in holiday hymns but lost in the hearts of millions worldwide. Tidings of comfort and joy are replaced by the travails of competition and greed. The tools of our salvation are staring us in the face, waiting for the powerful to lay down their swords and lift their souls in shared, existential harmony. It is not easy, but nothing worth fighting for is. And it starts in our homes, with families, friends, and loved ones, one connection at a time. Let us embrace the message of the holidays, however we choose. Light the spark that kindles the small flames that eventually join in a conflagration of love, peace, and understanding.

Peter Scarpato, Philadelphia, pscarpato@gmail.com

Two articles appear near one another in Wednesday’s Inquirer. The first tells of the plight of millennials and Gen Zers seeking partnership by moving from dating apps to meetings where people look in each other’s eyes and connect in a “human” way. The loneliness, anxiety, and depression they experience in extraordinary numbers lead the article. The next features the 20 Philadelphia-based TikTokers to “watch” in 2024. It is the kind of piece that is anathema to the many boomers and Gen Xers who’ve resisted the algorithm-driven addiction of social media.

The first article rightly points out the many mental health issues experienced by the younger (although not exclusively) generations. Obvious to anyone paying attention, this coincides with the social media explosion. While highly unlikely to change at this point, the only way to stop this scourge is to break the spell. Until these newer generations understand the power social media companies hold over them, they will continue to suffer.

Tom Murphy, Philadelphia

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