Letters to the Editor

Proposed taxi rule travels wrong route

I have been reading with interest about City Council's consideration of a bill that would force taxis to provide wheelchair access in their vehicles. This is another intrusion into the private sector, just like the bill forcing companies to provide sick leave.

Again, Council focuses on services and not jobs. People want jobs, but Council trades election votes in return for services. The result is massive unemployment, poverty, and no growth. On the national level, there is considerable discussion of reducing taxes and regulations to spur job growth, but not here in Philadelphia.

David Krahn, Wynnewood

This nation has many faiths

As a religious leader and as an American, I am appalled by the introduction of a resolution in the Pennsylvania House proclaiming 2012 "The Year of the Bible." Quoting Andrew Jackson, this resolution proclaims that the Bible is "the rock on which our republic rests."

This republic rests not on the Bible, but on the rock of religious freedom. The House undermines that core American principle by asserting the Bible's supremacy over the sacred texts of the other faiths, and those who practice them, in our pluralistic society. The divine is revealed in myriad ways. We should not legislate which is best.

Rev. Peter A. Friedrichs, Unitarian Universalist Church of Delaware County, Media, minister.uucdc@gmail.com

Help students avoid dropping out

New Jersey lawmakers are in the process of passing legislation that would keep students in school an additional two years before they can drop out. Currently, students can drop out at age 16. But if the bill becomes law, these at-risk students will be required to stay until they reach the age of 18.

There isn't any mention of helping these students with their educations so that they could successfully complete their courses of study and graduate. There should be an addendum to the bill to do this. Surely some of these students can be assisted. Not attempting to put forth a concerted effort to help these students will wind up making them spend two years of their lives in futility.

David M. Levin, Vineland

Birth control reduces abortions

I am astounded that the very people who are against the right to an abortion are also protesting the Department of Health and Human Services' decision to require medical insurance coverage for birth control.

Family planning clearly helps reduce abortions.

Why should one's religious views even be considered when making public policy? If you do not believe in contraception, don't use it.

What right has any religion to impose its beliefs on others through public policy?

What is most astounding are the threats that Catholic workplaces all over the country will be forced to stop health coverage for their workers if they don't get their way.

Stopping health care for children and families surely goes against the tenets of any religion. Where's the common sense and humanity in this debate?

Judy Wilson, Wayne

Foundation needs name change

The William Penn Foundation made headlines for its generous grant to the Philadelphia school system ("Foundation aids district's efforts with $1.5 million," Thursday). As a retired employee of the Rohm and Haas Co., I was glad to learn about the donation because I know that much of the foundation's money came from the Haas family and the Rohm and Haas Co.

This also suggested to me that the William Penn Foundation might be renamed the Rohm and Haas Foundation. Rohm and Haas has been acquired by Dow Chemical, so the name is no longer used.

This would keep the company name alive in the Philadelphia area, and all former employees could remember the great company they once worked for and feel a part of its philanthropy.

H. Fred Wilson, Blue Bell