Here are this week’s letters to the editor of the Sheboygan Press. See our letters policy below for details about how to share your views.
Middle East policy and U.S. leadership
On a recent cruise along the coast of Portugal and Spain, my wife and I marveled at the breathtaking arched naves and stained glass of great stone cathedrals, as well as the massive fortifications that once defended the harbors of Christendom from the armies of Islam. They brought to life the Battle of Tours, the brutal siege of Malta and the victory at Vienna. We wondered whether the thousands of young Western tourists swarming these sites today — born after what I see as a globalist amnesia that gutted history — realize the ancient war against the West never ended.
Now, suddenly, while swamp creatures in the EU, NATO, the U.N. and the Democratic Party were trying to surrender without losing their pensions, something truly miraculous has occurred. Like the final scene in a spaghetti western, the U.S. cavalry — now called the “Department of War” — came charging over the hill, led by Donald Trump, and is blowing up the best-laid, ancient plans of the Iranian mullahs and their Marxist sidekicks.
Suddenly, the rest of the Western world — though it still may not dare rejoice too loudly — is secretly relieved, with some even comparing Trump to Charles Martel. The only ones left grinding their teeth are young American Democrats who hate Trump for stealing their power more than they love life itself, and who have never had much use for liberty — the other guy’s, that is. But then, they have not been noted for their pursuit of happiness these days, either.
Art DeJong
Sheboygan
Climate crisis and what you can do
So, you are concerned about the climate crisis and are unsure what to do about it. Know that you are not alone. Also know that the climate movement needs you; it needs everyone to do everything we can to address this crisis.
Here are some ideas:
Ron Sadler
Sheboygan
Video games and child development
I believe that video games can help in many parts of a kid’s life. This is shown when a kid can react fast due to having to pay attention in a high-movement game. This can help kids in school because it can make them find the answer faster on a test. They could also become better at sports because, if you can react to a football coming at you, that can help you catch it.
Another reason is kids’ attention to detail can become advanced. This can be seen in class when a kid is reading a book so they can find key parts of the text that other kids miss. Also, they could use their attention to detail in a quiz to help them get a better answer than others.
The final reason is that kids can have better hand-eye coordination. This can be shown when, in a video game, they see something, so they have aim while they keep eye contact with that thing. This can help in all aspects of a kid’s life, such as if you’re grabbing for a pen, catching something and even typing. Fast reaction, attention to detail and hand-eye coordination are why video games can help kids in many parts of their life.
Egan Keenan
Waldo
U.S. wealth inequality and tax policy
Wealth inequality in the United States has reached levels that should concern every American, regardless of political affiliation. While millions of working families struggle to afford housing, health care, child care and higher education, a small percentage of the population continues to accumulate enormous wealth at a historic pace.
Hard work should provide stability and opportunity, yet many full-time workers are living paycheck to paycheck. At the same time, large corporations and the wealthiest Americans often benefit from tax loopholes and economic policies that widen the gap between rich and poor.
Federal income tax rates for the top earners in 1965 were 70%. Today, the top federal rate is 37%, and the top corporate rate is 21% — a decrease from more than 50% in the 1960s.
Extreme inequality weakens our democracy and undermines social trust. When ordinary citizens feel that the system only works for the wealthy, frustration and division grow. A healthy economy depends on a strong middle class, fair wages, affordable education and equal opportunity.
We should support policies that strengthen workers, ensure fair taxation, expand access to health care and education, and create economic opportunity for everyone, not just those at the top.
America succeeds when prosperity is shared more broadly. It is time to address wealth inequality before the divide grows even larger.
Please reach out to your elected officials and ask them to increase taxation of the rich so it will be more equitable for all Americans and help pay down our massive federal debt.
Jon Miller
Sheboygan
Sheboygan should reject animal cruelty entertainment
A group of concerned citizens, along with support from PETA and other animal rights organizations, will gather in peaceful protest as the Carden Circus at Blue Line Ice Center arrives in Sheboygan. Our goal is simple: raise awareness about the treatment of animals used for entertainment and encourage our community to support humane alternatives.
Numerous animal welfare organizations have long criticized the use of wild animals in circuses because of concerns about confinement, transport and training practices.
Public opinion is changing. Hundreds of cities, several states and countries around the world have already restricted or banned animal entertainment acts. Communities everywhere are recognizing that exploiting animals for amusement is outdated and unnecessary.
Children should learn compassion and respect for living creatures, not that animals exist for human entertainment. Sheboygan has an opportunity to stand on the side of progress and humane values by supporting cruelty-free entertainment for future generations.
We are encouraging fellow concerned members of the public to join us at 3 and 6 p.m. (one hour prior to each show) at the base of the hill of Blue Line Ice Center to voice your concerns about animals being used for entertainment.
Christi Lueck-Sadiq
Sheboygan
Our letters policy
Letters to the editor are published in the order in which they are received and letter-writers are limited to having one letter published per month. Letters can be emailed to news@sheboyganpress.com and Editor Brandon Reid at breid@usatodayco.com. Letters must meet specific guidelines, including being no more than 250 words and be from local authors or on topics of local interest. All submissions must include the name of the person who wrote the letter, their city of residence and a contact phone number. Letters are edited as needed for style, grammar, length, fairness, accuracy and libel.
This article originally appeared on Sheboygan Press: Sheboygan Press readers weigh in on Middle East and climate crisis
Reporting by Sheboygan Press / Sheboygan Press
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
