Letters: Clinton vs. Trump; service vs. power

ISSUE | CAMPAIGN 2016

Service vs. power

Hillary Clinton gave a great acceptance speech on the final night of the Democratic National Convention ("Clinton's call: A nation united," Friday). President Obama also gave a great speech at the 2012 DNC. Many people later said he didn't keep his promises, but he only promised to work for his agenda, and he kept his word.

The Constitution says that "We the People" are the rightful masters of our government. Cynicism and complaining never solved anything. Clinton's platform of progress will only be effective if the American people make it happen. Obama said it well: "Don't boo - vote!"

Some see the presidency as a position of power, but in our democracy, it's a position of service. Clinton has the experience, the stamina, and the goodwill to be of service to all Americans.

In Donald Trump's world, it's about power. A vote for him is an abdication of democracy and a refutation of all that our nation's founders established. If he's elected, we'll deserve exactly what we get.

|K.B. Kofoed, Drexel Hill

Extend the energy of 'the Bern'

Bernie Sanders tapped into many things that are bothering many Americans. He fired up many people who had not participated in politics for a long time, if at all. I agree with many of the issues he and his supporters fought for, but I also know how the two-party system works. Even without the leaked Democratic National Committee emails, Hillary Clinton was going to win the nomination.

Revolutions do not become successful in one year. It took 133 years for women to get the right to vote in America.

I admire Bernie for encouraging his supporters to get behind Hillary. I wish he would also tell them to put their energy into electing like-minded candidates for Congress, governor, state legislatures, and school boards this year and next. The 2018 midterm elections will be our next big chance to nominate and elect politicians who will carry on the fight.

Keep up the pressure. Participate in town-hall meetings, help your local political organizations, use write-in campaigns and social media, and assist with voter registration. Don't become discouraged or angry that things did not turn out the way you wanted this year. Focus on the next four years.

|Dave Savage, Collingswood

All in the spirit of education

What a fantastic experience PoliticalFest 2016 was for delegates and residents during the Democratic National Convention ("More DNC Glitz and Glam," Thursday). Several of the seven locations provided insight into how our Founding Fathers envisioned a newly formed country. The National Liberty Museum displayed some of the first ladies' gowns and exhibits about leaders who were fearless in making a difference in the world.

It was a hot week, but with the air-conditioned buses that made the loop about every 10 minutes, it was quite comfortable. This was sponsored by the Democratic National Committee, which understands that education and information are key in any election.

|Barbara Long, West Chester

Kudos to city's first responders

As a member of the Third Police District Advisory Council in South Philadelphia, I would like to say, "Well done and thank you" to the Philadelphia police officers, firefighters, and medics who kept our city, its residents, and last week's visitors safe and secure in often uncomfortable conditions and spanning very long hours. I couldn't be prouder of these men and women, who are superb examples of true public servants.

|Joe Eastman, Philadelphia, comservinit@yahoo.com

Bush wasn't alone on Iraq war

Tuesday's editorial averred that President George W. Bush started the Iraq war "based on a hunch that Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction" ("Clinton isn't Obama"). Yet it omitted that Congress - including Sen. Hillary Clinton - passed a joint resolution to take military action against Iraq. Bush based his decision on recommendations by top leaders of the Defense Department and the CIA.

|James J. O'Donnell, Ocean City, jjod111@aol.com

They were booing Hillary, not God

Booing at the opening of the Democratic National Convention was not directed at Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake's mention of the Almighty; it was because she named Hillary Clinton ("Move over, Santa - you've got company," Wednesday). Supporters of Bernie Sanders were expressing their displeasure with her imminent nomination.

Nearly all of the speeches last week closed with some form of the line, "God bless America and God bless the American people."

|Ron Stoloff, Blue Bell

Witnessing history firsthand

As an American history professor at Cedar Crest College, an all-women's college in Allentown, I brought five students to volunteer at the Democratic National Convention. After seeing the democratic process firsthand, these young women have more motivation to make their own impact in politics or their respective fields. But we still have a long road ahead.

Women account for 47 percent of the labor force and 49 percent of the college-educated workforce. Yet they hold only 25 percent of executive- and senior-level positions, only 19 percent of board seats, and only 4.6 percent as CEOs, according to American Progress. The stereotypes about women's entry into nontraditional female fields are preconceptions we encourage our female students to shatter themselves.

|Megan Diskin Monahan, Allentown