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Vouchers are also alienating blacks from Democrats

Re: Black voters find moral link to GOP, by Dick Polman, March 20.

I was intrigued by Dick Polman's piece as much for what it didn't mention as for what it did. Specifically, he has tied the increase in black voters' acceptance of the GOP to ecclesiastical support. He has omitted the fact that black voters are not only religious but are also interested in the education of their children. They have been much upset by the Democrats' adamant stand against vouchers, which could help their children and also put control of education in the hands of parents.

Clearly, many black children are living in urban areas where the public schools are worst. As an aside, they are not the only ones living there. White and Latino lower-income parents are subject to the same situation. These parents see that the Democrats are resistant to vouchers in their neighborhoods. These parents care more about their children's general education than whether they are subject to some peripheral religious indoctrination. They then move away from the Democrats' position.

The demographic that is most attuned to the religious issue is older than the young parents who are most involved with their childrens' education. The Democrats have thus alienated a much broader spectrum of the black population of voters by fighting against vouchers than they have by forcing their strongly secular views on religious issues. In this way they have alienated not only the black voters but also the nonblack voters who are in the same basic situation.

Democrats must see that both their rabid secular stands and their adamant support of the teacher unions has driven a wedge between them and voters to whom they would normally appeal.

Misplaced admiration

Re: Black voters find moral link to GOP.

If the Rev. Herb Lusk would pause to consider how many blacks who were not church leaders died on the same day as his mother, and just how many of their families received White House condolences, he would realize how much of President Bush's apparent sincerity was genuine, and how much was pure political opportunism. The reverend's admiration is misplaced.

Fighting the data snoops

Re: Your life exposed, March 20.

Last Sunday's good article by Dave Gussow about digital snoops came as I am fighting MetLife over my auto insurance. I have been a MetLife customer for 25-plus years. Recently I got a letter from company officials saying they were going to be upping my auto insurance rate because they bought some information on me from a data broker that says they found another licensed driver lives with me. Nobody lives with me, but I am sure other licensed drivers have lived in my 30-year-old apartment before me. Surprise, surprise.

Per the letter from MetLife, it is up to me to correct any bad information from this data broker. Plus "you may be asked to provide proof of their insurance company and policy number or other residency . . ."

Up till now, all you had to deal with were the big three credit bureaus when you applied for a loan. But with so many new data snoops opening up for business without federal rules, more and more people will find themselves fighting the garbage these snoops report.

Send a living will message

I am disgusted with the way that Congress, Tom DeLay, Bill Frist, Jeb Bush and George Bush, among others, have trampled on our constitutional rights and the judicial branch. I urge those who are also disgusted to send copies of their living wills to each and every one of them. Maybe a paper blizzard will wake them up to the reality and wrath of the people.

And when the dust has finally settled on this pathetic abuse of power, the people deserve to know just how much it cost to finance this Republican "great political opportunity."

A distracted Congress

Re: A lack of brain activity in Congress, by Philip Gailey, March 20.

This article brought me near exhilaration for pointing out that members of Congress are, in my interpretation, idiots. It gave me reason to renew my long-term subscription to your paper.

To read that Democrat Bill Nelson joined the Republicans in disregarding state courts and medical opinion showed a lack of respect for our courts and medical opinions. As you say, Republican leader and physician Bill Frist was the worst offender because he ignored independent medical experts but could tell from watching a video that Terri Schiavo is not in a persistent vegetative state. Tell me, who is brain dead?

Our members of Congress should be spending their time on the extreme cost of gasoline and oil, which is hurting our economy. Other areas are: the Iraq war, border security, illegal immigration and how to pay for it, schools, hospitals, etc.

Focus more on fallen soldiers

It is a disgrace that your newspaper puts our dead military men and women on an inside page of the Sunday newspaper. They belong on the front page every week. And there should be more about our thousands of injured military men and women and what's happening to them. It's like everyone is hiding it. We are in a real war, and our government has made a mess of things. It's not because of 9/11; it's the oil.

Don't forget Chad's faith

I applaud Tom Zucco for his article Smiling through obstacles in last Sunday's paper. His portrayal of Chad Gordon purposely eluded pity but sensitively and accurately embraced Chad's invincible spirit of overcoming his disability. By diligently piecing together dozens of personal accounts from a myriad of Chad's family, friends, teachers and aides, as well as driving to Stetson to spend a day in the life of Chad, Zucco beautifully painted a genuine portrait of Chad.

Regretfully, what was omitted, which is paramount to both myself and Chad, is our strong faith in God; it unequivocally defines the joy he has in his circumstances. I am so grateful to the Times for its scholarship program, to Tom Zucco's superb authorship of this marvelous article, to Nancy Waclawek for her continued support and interest in students in our community, and to God for my son Chad.

Story brought a smile

Re: Smiling through obstacles, March 20.

During a week of unusually depressing news, thank you for this uplifting story. It really gave me a needed boost in my view of our world.

I am a seasonal resident who will miss your occasional "put-a-smile-on-your-face" journalism when I return north.

[Last modified March 27, 2005, 00:33:11]