Letters to the Editor | April 15, 2024

Dave Caldwell’s op-ed has a great proposal for a statue of North Philly, Dobbins Tech High School, Temple University, and South Carolina basketball coach Dawn Staley. Her high school alma mater long ago named the girls’ gymnasium in her honor, and in 2017 welcomed her back (not for the first time) for a packed auditorium celebration of South Carolina’s national NCAA title victory. Coach Staley, triumphantly wearing the game-day net, was joined on stage by Mayor Jim Kenney, Superintendent William R. Hite Jr., and retired Temple basketball coach John Chaney. Her future statue could be joined by one for Tina Sloan Green, groundbreaking coach of Temple’s women’s lacrosse team, and another for 1920s baseball (not softball) player and only-woman-ever Phillies scout Edith Houghton. Tennis star Ora Washington already has a historical plaque in front of Settlement Music School in Germantown, once the “colored” YWCA.

Barbara McDowell Dowdall, Philadelphia, bmcdowdall@gmail.com

On Jan. 20, 2021, Joe Biden took the oath of office as president. In doing so, he swore to “preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.” On numerous occasions, he has failed to fulfill that oath. He continues to announce plans to forgive student debt — even after the U.S. Supreme Court determined that these actions were unconstitutional and in violation of the separation of powers. This is a shameless attempt to buy votes. Unfortunately, it only serves to increase the national debt at the expense of the average taxpayer. Most of his decisions are motivated by strictly political reasons. Biden will sacrifice any of his core beliefs to stay in office. His efforts would be better served in dealing with more pressing matters like using his executive powers to address the ever-growing border crisis. It is his constitutional duty to protect the citizenry. He is failing in that, as well. The Constitution is the foundation of our democracy. How are we expected to respect a president who does not respect it?

Mark Fenstermaker, Warminster, markfense@gmail.com

In 1980, when I was 23 years old and living in Philadelphia, the national inflation rate was 13.5%. In 1979, it was 11.3%. In 1981, it was 10.3%. Today’s 3% inflation rate is nothing in comparison. Currently, the U.S. has the lowest inflation rate on the planet. Inflation complainers need to stop being lazy and take control of their situations. My generation knew that to grow your income requires moving on to the next job. As of January, there are 1.44 jobs for every unemployed person. In 1980, it was 0.10 jobs per unemployed person. If you can’t improve your finances, it’s your fault. Time to grow up and move up.

Also lacking are the much-needed immigrants for the kinds of jobs most Americans won’t do. It is unfair to limit work permits to technical and medical positions when there are employee shortages in all industries like farming and hospitality. Growing the economy reduces the pressure on the economy when the economic pie is larger. When necessary, move on to move up. You owe it to yourself and your family by taking control.

Hank Schrandt, Newtown

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