Learning from our Readers

A critical element for the proper functioning of a democracy is the free and open exchange of ideas and opinions. Indeed, this is a time in our history when access to the facts and discourse about them are vitally necessary for the very survival of our country. From the earliest editions of newspapers in colonial America, letters to the editor (LTEs) have given the general public a neutral forum in which to convey different points of view to the newspapers’ readerships at large. While historically LTEs have played an important role in enabling political discourse between those of different political persuasions, today they are frequently the only way for citizens to come together in an unbiased setting to exchange their views. Indeed, while other media—television, radio, internet—generally offer forums oriented to distinct, compartmentalized audiences, newspapers by contrast enable the raw, direct and honest expressions of the opinions of their readers to be juxtaposed alongside the vi...

There has been a lot of misinformation recently in the press about the Inflation Reduction Act as well as the current state of the economy. It is important that voters know the truth. Following are some facts about this act and how it will benefit Americans: Americans pay much more for their medicines than people in most other countries. The Act  includes several measures to control and even reduce these prices, such as authorizing Medicare to negotiate with pharmaceutical companies and requiring drug companies to pay rebates if price increases exceed the rate of inflation. Unfortunately, Republicans blocked a proposed measure to limit the cost of insulin copays to $35 per month. The IRS is significantly understaffed due to Covid, retirements, and funding cuts over the past  few years. As a result, it has taken the IRS almost a year to process many 2020 tax returns and refunds. Taxpayers have had to spend hours on help lines to reach an agent. The Act will provide funding to c...

While he may not want to talk about it, it’s no secret that Ben Cline is staunchly anti-abortion, believing that human life begins at conception and, accordingly, that a woman has no right to terminate a pregnancy. He has signed onto proposed legislation prohibiting abortions nationwide, with no exceptions for rape, incest or protecting the life or health of the mother. He has also voted against a law safeguarding the use of contraceptives like birth control pills to prevent pregnancy. I certainly can respect another’s deeply-held moral or religious beliefs, Mr. Cline being a conservative Catholic. What I do object to, however, is having him or anyone else impose those beliefs on me and oblige me to conform to them. If a couple is unable to prevent an unwanted pregnancy, they can face catastrophic consequences, and their lives can be devastated. A child may demand a level of financial, emotional and material support completely beyond the ability of the couple to provide. The end result...

In his address to the nation on September 1, President Biden called for all Americans—“Democrats,  independents, mainstream Republicans”-- to reject government by violence, and instead work together  to defend democracy and build a better future, one based in the Constitution, the rule of law, free and  fair elections, the will of the people, honesty, decency, respect, patriotism, liberty, hope, and possibility.   His message was forward-looking, optimistic, inclusive, and hopeful. Nevertheless, we should never forget that the January 6, 2021 rioters were not the only ones who tried,  and failed, to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election. On that same day, Representative  Ben Cline voted to object to state election results, in a calculated effort to throw the election to Donald  Trump. To give Mr. Cline the benefit of the doubt, there were many, including then-President Donald  Trump, who claimed, and even now claim, that the ...

Mr. Cline, You have two darling little twin daughters whom, I am sure, you must treasure. They are probably very smart and may one day want to follow in their father’s footsteps. However, your recent vote against the Right to Contraception Act could make this very difficult for them. Without the ability to control the timing and number of their children, they could have difficulty meeting their career potentials. Your daughters may decide to marry late or not to marry at all. As a result, you may never know the joy of having grandchildren. Mr. Cline, may the Lord bless you with sons who won’t be subjected to the restrictions you are imposing on your daughters. Deborah Sullivan Fishersville, VA

A critical element of a properly functioning democracy is an informed citizenry.  You can’t vote for  somebody unless you know what they stand for.  Otherwise, you could just be shooting yourself in the  foot. An article in Friday’s Washington Post claims that, in certain locales around the country, Republican politicians are avoiding the public eye.  They’re not holding public events, they’re avoiding interviews by the media, and they’re taking a low profile on important issues—all because they are concerned about having certain of their views brought under public scrutiny. Case in point: our congressional representative Ben Cline reportedly has refused for some months to debate Jennifer Lewis, his Democratic opponent. While incumbents like Mr. Cline may assert that their positions are a matter of public record, they should be held to account to address the issues of the day in public, in an appropriate forum. Whether Democrat or R...

Are you a senior citizen on Medicare ?  Would you like to pay less for your prescription drugs ? Do you own your own small business?  Would you like to pay less for health insurance for you and your family ? Thinking about buying an electric vehicle, but put off by the cost ?  Would you like to receive an offset from the federal government so you ultimately pay less for it ? Concerned about the federal deficit ?  Wouldn’t it be nice if the fat cats paid their fair share of taxes, instead of enriching themselves via loopholes (yes, I’m pointing at you, Governor Youngkin), so the deficit could be reduced, and not on the backs of middle-class Americans ? Do you enjoy the benefits of easy local access to Shenandoah National Park, and want to see it with cleaner air and water, and upgrades to its infrastructure ? Would you like to see a million or more new jobs created so the country can transition to clean energy sources, so you pay less ...