Letters to the Editor | May 11, 2023

The Republican Party is refusing to raise the debt limit unless Congress agrees to its demands. They do so despite having agreed to the budget that necessitated the increase. Despite Section 4 of the 14th Amendment stating that the validity of the public debt shall not be questioned. Despite the millions already lost in rattled stock markets. Despite the billions everyone will pay in increased interest. Despite the permanent blot on the United States’ reputation for paying our bills. President Joe Biden’s path is clear: Using his emergency powers, he must declare the debt limit raised. Congress must then repeal the Second Liberty Bond Act of 1917, which created the debt ceiling. If Congress can pass budgets that increase the debt, there must be no question that the debt will be paid. Because, as we’ve seen, the GOP has become the party of tyrants. They do not want a democratic process based on debate and compromise. They will exploit any loophole to force minority rule on the rest of us. We need to close this loophole.

Ellen Bryson, West Chester

It is gratifying that the long-term misery inflicted upon E. Jean Carroll by former President Donald Trump has been affirmed by a jury, and she was awarded a significant amount of money, both for what befell her decades ago and, more recently, as Trump defamed and slandered her. I acknowledge, though, that appeal after appeal will be filed to avoid having to pay the $5 million judgment. Trump, of course, will never admit to what he did; rather, he will attempt to denigrate the legal process, the judge, and the jury in the case. Everyone had it in for the poor guy, in his warped view. Trump’s guilt will make no difference to his die-hard supporters, who long ago set aside any notion that ethics, morals, and values are important to them in seeking a leader. I applaud Carroll for her courage and determination. May the jury’s verdict bring peace and comfort to her and to other women who have been abused by men who believe they may abuse women if they are sufficiently important and powerful.

Oren Spiegler, Peters Township

I write as part of a group of women who proudly represent Montgomery County as elected officials at the local, county and state levels of government: State Sen. Amanda Cappelletti, State Rep. Mary Jo Daley, Montgomery County Clerk of Courts Lori Schreiber, Abington School Board Director Melissa Mowry, Abington Township Commissioner Julia Vaughn, Cheltenham School Board Director Julie Haywood, Conshohocken Council President Colleen Leonard, East Norriton supervisors Ashley DiPiero and Laura Rivera, Hatfield Constable Corinne Landauer, Norristown Councilwoman Tiffani Hendley, Pottstown Mayor Stephanie Henrick, Pottstown School Board Director Deborah Spence, West Norriton Commissioner Roseanne Milazzo, Whitpain Constable Robin Tarzia, Whitpain Supervisor Michele Minnick, and Norristown Area School District directors Marissa Dell, Monica D’Antonio and Sharon Hale Mauch.

The Inquirer showed a double standard when it published a piece labeling two women who are running to be county commissioners — Jamila Winder and Kimberly Koch — as political opportunists, while the Editorial Board gave endorsed candidates Noah Marlier and Neil Makhija a pass on their political contributions and party gamesmanship. If you endorsed these men over Winder and Koch because of policy issues, we would understand. Koch has been forceful in her stance in support of reproductive freedom, and Winder makes no bones about prioritization of marginalized communities in both education and development. We are hoping that, for the first time in our county’s history, a pair of great, qualified women are elected to be county commissioners. With their proven leadership skills, varied experience, and ability to increase the representation of women in government, one would have hoped that The Inquirer would have strongly considered endorsing them. But this is Pennsylvania, one of only a handful of states never to have elected a female governor or U.S. senator. The paper’s position speaks volumes. We are defenders of the free press. All we ask is that you apply the same standards to men as you do to women. Until then, we will continue to fight your double standard.

Karen Geld Sanchez, Montgomery County controller

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