Letters to the editor | Friday, March 27, 2020: Leave politics out when helping those suffering in coronavirus crisis
Shame on coronavirus politics
A thoughtful, negotiated financial assistance package was presented to the U.S. Senate only to be shot down by the Democrats. They presented a 1,200-page alternative package that included an assortment of items that had nothing to do with the financial crisis that is facing our nation. They included items that have to do with diversity, election processes, CO2 emissions and a host of other items that have nothing to do with the crisis at hand. The items may all be laudable but they do nothing to assist in bringing our economy back into shape.
As one House member stated, this is a “tremendous opportunity to restructure things to fit our vision.” That is pure partisan politics and should never be used as a hammer against some 330 million citizens of our great country. Shame on anyone who stands in the way of this needed legislation.
Marvin Dole, Modesto
Editor’s note: The U.S. Senate approved a stimulus package Thursday.
Give stimulus money to all
Re “Treasury plan: Deliver $500B to Americans starting in April” (Page 6A, March 19): The article stated that “direct payments would go to U.S. citizens only.”
Does our Treasury Department think that only U.S. citizens pay taxes? Or that only citizens are getting laid off from work? Does our Treasury think that only citizens contribute to economic growth? Does it think only citizens have mortgages to pay and children to feed?
When one considers that a large number of people disinfecting offices and hospitals are immigrants — some who have become citizens and some who have not, and some who are here legally and some who are undocumented — should we not be thankful that they are here to do the work in this moment of crisis?
The Treasury proposal unmasks a latent indifference and cruelty of those in charge of our country. The proposal is unfair and it is stupid.
Elmano M. Costa, Turlock
Hate rhetoric was out of line
Re “Viruses do not carry passports” (Page 7B, March 25): The commentary written by Leonard Pitts Jr. was an insult. The statements made by Mr. Pitts were well beyond opinion but hateful.
This kind of commentary at this time of crisis is way out of line. He made statements such as “The GOP is a hate group and Trump is its grand wizard.” Our country is being tested now and to carry this kind of rhetoric is way over the line of reason.
Don J. Smith, Turlock
We have lots of questions
May we have a little logic and clarification please?
There are complaints about hoarding. I’m sure it happens, but for instance, toilet paper: the whole family is staying at home, not using school or business toilet paper. Other supplies: Again, the whole family is eating at home with no restaurant outings. We are told to limit our trips to the grocery store to prevent contamination. So we need to understand that buying patterns have changed.
About sheltering in place: We hate it, since it drives us bonkers. I understand I can walk my dog, so it’s nice she can have an outing. It seems she can go out with me, but I’m to stay at home otherwise. Why? This needs to be explained. What dangers lurk on the pavement or in the trees? If we socially distance, where is the danger? I realize that in big cities that may be almost impossible.
Candice Carleton, Modesto
This story was originally published March 27, 2020 at 10:47 AM with the headline "Letters to the editor | Friday, March 27, 2020: Leave politics out when helping those suffering in coronavirus crisis."