Letters to the Editor | June 29, 2023

There is a certain satisfaction that I got from reading the story about how some of Philly’s richest business owners were hoodwinked by a start-up CEO who was offering to rent laptops and phones to “subprime customers.” Should I feel sorry for already uber-wealthy folks who were simply greedy in hopes of taking advantage of the poorest among us in what was clearly a predatory lending scheme? I don’t think so. The rent-to-own furniture business was the model for this venture. It involves exacting monthly payments on assets with little useful life, from people at the bottom of the economic ladder. Once the investors knew that Josh Verne had a past in furniture rental, high-minded folks should have stopped right there. These investors did not. Dreams of the filthy rich to be richer abound. There is an old saying in the investment business that I think is appropriate: Bulls make money. Bears make money. Pigs get slaughtered.

Mark D. Schwartz, Bryn Mawr

The student debt relief plan supports young people as they strive to create new doors of opportunity. The countries of the European Union make education unbelievably affordable on the front end. While debt forgiveness is providing for education in a backward manner, at least President Joe Biden is doing something about it. The U.S. must take action to create affordable higher education like the rest of the world. With reading and math scores plummeting, and a well-known critical shortage of skilled workers, the need is stunningly obvious. We cannot squander the potential of so many children.

Karen Joslin, Philadelphia

The Museum of the American Revolution’s decision to host a reception for Moms for Liberty has sent shockwaves through the community. Unsettled by this choice, 39 museum staffers joined forces to sign a petition urgently calling for the event’s cancellation. Their concerns range from the safety of staff to the divergence of values and the potential negative impact on the museum’s hard-earned reputation. Operating under the guise of advocating for “parental rights,” Moms for Liberty’s divisive rhetoric and efforts to ban books undermine discussions about slavery, Jim Crow, and structural racism. By hosting an event for a group that directly contradicts the museum’s core values of inclusivity and diversity, the museum risks alienating marginalized communities and perpetuating ignorance. It is important to acknowledge and commend the museum for its commitment to sharing diverse and inclusive stories about our nation’s history. The ongoing exhibition, “Black Founders: The Forten Family of Philadelphia,” serves as a testament to this dedication. The museum must reconsider its decision and distance itself from organizations that promote hate, misinformation, and divisiveness.

Kristine McAfee, Pottstown

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