Letters to the Editor
Where are parents? As the son of a Philadelphia police officer, I, too, feel the unmitigated pain of having lost another cop to senseless and inhumane street violence. But if our community is to be reclaimed by caring, law-abiding people, we need to ask how these criminals are allowed in the first place to be made into the thoughtless and careless killers that they become.
Where are parents?
As the son of a Philadelphia police officer, I, too, feel the unmitigated pain of having lost another cop to senseless and inhumane street violence. But if our community is to be reclaimed by caring, law-abiding people, we need to ask how these criminals are allowed in the first place to be made into the thoughtless and careless killers that they become.
With few exceptions, killers are not born, they are made. Who, then, ignores these babies when they are born? Who allows these children to grow up without moral guidance and a recognition for the sanctity of life?
Unless and until we insist that parents need to parent effectively, relatives and neighbors need to support constantly, and the community needs to be held accountable for the children that come out of it consistently, our city will be plagued by other ghastly acts of senseless violence.
Thomas Dwyer
Hollywood, Pa.
Family values key
The prime cause of crime is the dysfunction of the family. Since the late 1980s, the city has suffered from an out-of-wedlock birthrate of more than 60 percent.
Young people, unguided by a married father and mother, are doing much of the crime and increasing the prison population. The obvious cure, to encourage our youth to wait until marriage, is largely underplayed. Until sexual behavior improves and the family is restored, we will have a crime and prison crisis.
John P. Stanton
Jenkintown
Soaked by taxes
Re: "Tax beer," letter, last Saturday:
If you had looked into the matter a little further, you would easily discover that alcoholic beverages are already taxed at 18 percent, not including sales tax.
I agree with the position that politicians need to stop targeting easy sin taxes as solutions. It needs to be corrected with fundamental reforms to our state's fiscal spending. Believe me, you are preaching to the choir, but beer is already taxed exorbitantly.
Ryan Wall
Philadelphia
Ryan.Wall@gt.com
Holder on race
Eric Holder, U.S. attorney general, calls America a bunch of cowards when confronting racism. What an abrasive statement by a man who has benefited so obviously from this country's magnanimity. Working for an essentially multicultural administration the country is proud of, he continues to beat the drum of racism.
Mr. Holder, be proud you're serving a black president in a country where your rights can't be denied. We white folks all realize there are miles to go, but would appreciate some credit.
Anthony J. Frascino
Swedesboro