Keep the filibuster
The Covid pandemic enabled Democratic operatives to expand voting practices in 2020, which was a boon for Democratic operatives living in large cities in the battleground states. Now, Kamala Harris (Vice President) claims that the U.S. won’t be the “rolemodel of democracy” if Democrats lose this advantage by not enforcing theirnational voting rights act prior to the 2022 midterm elections.
The bill would establish federal standards to protect and preserve the expanded voting rights of minorities, who overwhelmingly vote Democratic. It would also override the new laws in Republican states to ban the wide-open 2020voting provisions.
To succeed, Democrats must first remove the Senate filibuster. This can be done by using the nuclear option: a simple majority vote 50 Democrats plus a tiebreaker from Harris. This is an alternative to the traditional supermajority of 60 votes. This would be a grave violation to the traditional rights and privileges of the minority party. A future Republican majority would retaliate.
Dennis L. Breo, New Smyrna Beach
Driving on the beach
I read the paper every day and support Jeff Brower’s efforts to manage growth. I am confused by his support for beach driving. It’s a new day. The wildlife is in trouble, our eroding beaches are melting and the warm water is no longer supporting this type of recreation. Beach driving would still be possible if there weren’t these problems. But it’s a new day. We need tourists. And eco-tourism is what I see as the main reason people are excited about it. As you can see, the number of tourists is declining and beaches are being ravaged by cars and trash.
I hope he sees the importance of the environment in this age, more than driving your car.
Calleen De Oliveira, Daytona Beach
Remember how Rep. Waltz voted
It is amazing that the City of Daytona Beach has teamed up with Congressman Michael Waltz to advocate funding for the Army Corps of Engineers in order to conduct a feasibility study to divert water from the canals to a lake at a golf course. This would help alleviate flooding in the surrounding neighborhoods.
In the interest of creating informed electorates, Congressman Waltz’s constituents should remember that when H.R.3684 – The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act – was brought to the House of Representatives, Mr. Waltz opposed the bill and voted “Nay!”
Merrill Shapiro Palm Coast
Use money only as intended
Bravo to the county for using COVID relief funds to help address COVID-induced stresses in the community. Bravo! The County is proactive in finding a solution for the staffing crisis hospitals across the U.S. by placing a nurse at Halifax Hospital, which has the highest number of EMS-transported patient and has the only trauma center.
Thank you for looking after us.
Pat Gertenbach, Ormond Beach
No to M-CORES
Florida’s fragile rural environment is safe now! M-CORES was shut down after enough people protested. It would have unnecessarily carved away natural Florida and made it more profitable for a few than it did for the rest. All of us benefit from controlling urban sprawl and enjoy the high quality of life in Florida.
Susan Haller Port Orange
Constitutionalrepublic?
The News-Journal published a piece last week that called our country a “constitutional nation.”This is a new construct that I have seen repeated several times and that is confusing to me. I grew up in the ’40s/’50s and was taught that the U.S. was democratic (majority rules), republic (one person, one voter). It was very easy to understand, so I wonder how that construct got lost.
When the word “constitution is mentioned, the populace will automatically assume that it is the settled law of the land. Actually, no, because otherwise, we wouldn’t have 26-plus amendments actually ruling. I’m just suggesting that you don’t let something that is popular as a political buzzword lead to your downfall.
Shirley Carter, Palm Coast