Letters to the Editor

Strengths tested

More than 9,000 miles away in Philadelphia, I feel helpless while the Philippines suffer a death toll in the thousands, and with more than 600,000 people displaced from their homes as a result of Typhoon Haiyan. I am blessed knowing that my relatives overseas were not among the victims. But as a Filipino American, I feel a solidarity within the Filipino community as we ask each other whether families and friends are safe. In this moment, every family merges into one. My heart is also touched as coworkers, parishioners, and neighbors universally offer compassion for those suffering. Suddenly, I am part of a larger family of global proportions. I pray that the Philippines will receive fair and fast relief in their efforts to rebuild. I am thankful for those who have given emotional support during this time and are moved to send aid in whatever capacity. I have faith in the Filipino spirit, which has faced adversity with great perserverance. It is our culture's legacy of strength.

Lisa Madrinan, Cheltenham

Arts funding for all

In reporting on cultural organizations having difficulty attracting audiences and meeting financial goals, Inquirer culture writer Peter Dobrin concludes that some institutions, including the Barnes Foundation, are drawing funding from others in a limited pool ("Time to speak up, ante up for art," Nov 3). This suggests that philanthropy is a zero-sum game, which is far from fact. Effective fund-raising depends on a commitment to mission, and philanthropy is just one piece of overall success. The Barnes has broad support, including membership that has grown from 400 in 2009 to more than 22,000, and fivefold attendance growth. The combination of corporate, individual, and foundation support, a robust and engaged membership, and a conservative, balanced budget has enabled the Barnes to build the Parkway building and an endowment of more than $50 million, and to operate without debt. There is little evidence that this was achieved at the expense of other institutions.

The Philadelphia area has one of the richest cultural arrays of any city in the world, delivered at a very high level, with new donors - especially the corporate community - entering the field to support them despite a tough economy.

Derek Gillman, executive director and president, Barnes Foundation

School-deal terms

Mayor Nutter strongly believes that for a sustainable revenue future, the School District-managed and charter schools, as well as districts statewide, need a new education funding formula based on the number of students and their characteristics, including students who speak English as a second language and students growing up in poverty ("Not the best deal for city schools," Nov. 3). This is the challenge for the next state budget. The mayor also continues to push for City Council passage of the sales tax extension to provide a dependable, recurring source of revenue for the city's public schools. Enabling legislation passed in Harrisburg last spring would provide $120 million annually from the sales tax for schools. The mayor agrees with Council President Darrell Clarke that it would be preferable if those revenues were instead split half-and-half between the schools and city pension fund. But the mayor only supports that split if the General Assembly adopts it and approves a local, $2-a-pack cigarette tax. Without that combination of actions, city schools would receive far less than under sales-tax legislation already enacted in Harrisburg.

Lori Shorr, chief education officer, city of Philadelphia

Hear no Obama evil

Thank you for finally proving your political bias by making President Obama's humiliating apology for Obamacare's rollout a lesser story than a campaign protest. The Inquirer's lack of analysis on the Obamacare fiasco must have most of your subscribers wondering why the president is apologizing.

Walt Steimel, Exton, walt2275@gmail.com