Letters to the Editor | Sept. 26, 2024

Kudos to Republican State Sen. Camera Bartolotta for her courageous stance regarding Haitian immigrants in her Southwestern Pennsylvania district. Tensions are running high as we approach this historic election. In times such as this, we need cooler heads and voices that rise above the tribal partisanship that this contest sadly has brought to the fore. Bartolotta provides such an important voice on the issue of immigration. She defends against the lies and hatred being spread on social media that distort and distract us from the truth.

Haitians, legal refugees, fled the horrors of an earthquake, political turmoil, and violence to build a better life in Charleroi, Pa. They quietly provide much-needed labor, pay taxes, attend our schools, and raise their families. We are a nation of immigrants, including myself and my family, who migrated to the U.S. in 1950 from Scotland. Bartolotta goes against Donald Trump and his enablers, who contribute to and amplify the distortions spread about Haitians. In the past, she has had the courage to stand up for commonsense criminal justice reform, again going against many in her own party. Keep up the good work, and keep reporting the truth on such crucial issues.

Angus Love, Narberth, anguslove76@gmail.com

It’s not complicated. In the campaign for president, there have been a lot of issues bandied about — abortion, immigration, the economy, etc. But when you are considering whom to vote for, there is ultimately only one thing you need to know: Donald Trump said the Constitution should be “terminated.” If the Constitution is terminated, every right we have now would be in jeopardy. If he would be willing to terminate the Constitution, do you think he would care about the economy? Along those same lines, he said he would be a dictator on Day One. Again, if he is willing to be a dictator, do you think he would defend your rights to free speech, or the right to criticize leadership? The choice is clear: dictatorship or democracy.

Dean Miller, Collegeville

Thank you to The Inquirer for reporting on the conditions at the Montgomery County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA). As an animal lover and advocate, I am so grateful that the coverage will place pressure on the organization’s leadership to make changes that will benefit the animals that rely on them for their shelter, safety, and health. Without Inquirer reporting on topics like these, conditions like this could continue to go on under our noses, and people who donate their time and money — and bring animals to this shelter — would continue to do so. This is why local journalism is so important. On behalf of many others who I am sure are also outraged by this story, thank you for the continued coverage of important topics, and for being a watchdog for bad actors in our communities.

Alisa Mairone, Pennsauken

It seems to me there are more rules and regulations governing a woman’s right to choose and her reproductive rights than there are on gun control. To date, 14 states have banned abortion, restricting the health-care options for countless women. Recently, a young pregnant mother lost her life because she was denied proper medical care until it was too late. Meanwhile, since 2008 there have been approximately 660 school shootings in the United States, leading to countless deaths and injuries. Yet, meaningful action to address this epidemic of gun violence remains elusive. Where is the urgency to protect lives from gun violence, especially in our schools? It’s time we reevaluate our priorities. When will we stop regulating women’s bodies and start prioritizing gun safety? Our children’s lives and the health of our communities depend on it.

Sandy Berenbaum, Richboro

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