Northeast residents discuss closing businesses, school walk outs and welcome acts of kindness in this week’s letters to the editor.
Thank you for the rose
The day after Valentine’s Day, I stopped at a local food market on my way to my daughter’s house. As I sometimes do, I chose some fresh flowers for my daughter. I spoke to the “flower lady” about my choice. She handed me a gorgeous long-stemmed rose and said, “That man wants you to have this.” I turned and did not know this man. I said thank you to him. I later found out he also gave roses to some of the ladies working in the store.
I was in line at the deli when the same man walked up. Again, I thanked him and said, “What a lovely thing to do.” He said there is so much bad stuff going on…
Thank you again, whoever you are, you made an old lady smile.
A friend said, “Do something nice for someone every day — you’ll feel good, so will they.”
Alice Getzes
Rhawnhurst
Bye, Sears, Toys “R” Us
There is a bittersweet experience for Northeast Philly. Sears, as well as Toys “R” Us, are going to close. Both stores provided people in the community with full-time, part-time and seasonal employment. Time does bring change, but some changes are not always positive. What will happen to the workers who were provided with jobs? Another concern is, will these buildings stay empty? So much for change.
Marie Patton
Fox Chase
Injection site in City Hall
The Kenney administration wants to place safe sites for heroin users around the city.
My suggestion is to put the first one on the fourth floor of City Hall.
Mayer Krain
Modena Park
Speak proper English
To the young lady who led the school walkout at Rittenhouse Square: Please stay in school so that you can learn to speak proper English. Also, please learn how to use a bullhorn before you actually want to use it.
Pat Kremis
Burholme
We need Medicare for all
We need to fight for Medicare for all. No premiums. No copays. Free at the point of service.
Ask yourself if it seems fair that your healthcare coverage is linked to your employment.
I know that when my dad was laid off during the recession, we struggled. He desperately sought out work, but it was the recession. Working families like ours struggled to have healthcare. Should working people really be punished to live a life of health risks?
We pay a lot in taxes, so Medicare for all seems like it would only make things worse, but think about how much you pay in copays and premiums. The bill that Bernie Sanders introduced, the Medicare for All Act of 2017, will cut out costs of healthcare we already pay.
The legislature works off of modest progressive taxation. If you’re a regular working person, you won’t see a tax increase — Warren Buffett or Mark Zuckerberg might. You’ll end up saving money with this.
What I ask for is nothing radical. I ask our bodies aren’t used for greedy private health insurers to profit. I ask that we be protected by our state and our fundamental needs be met.
Let’s think seriously about our health, our representatives don’t seem to be doing that.
Spencer David Potts
Trevose
Near and Far
We must ride the tide for Humanity,
dig deep for sanity.
No longer can we not face reality,
when the nature of life is not a fantasy.
When children are dying in buildings
that they call sanctuaries.
Politicians should hear the call of parents near and far.
When children are dying not on the battlefield,
but on school room floors.
Someone should pick up the call,
with children going to school to learn not to hide.
Where are our leaders?
Why can’t they hear the mothers cry?
Our kids don’t go to school to hide.
Lenny Jaynes
Frankford
