To the editor:
Re “Don’t give up and call it a commitment,” by Jamelle Bouie (column, December 22):
Isn’t Mr. Bouie still exhausted by resentment? The fury at every reflection of Donald Trump? The flurry of fundraising emails and doomsday scenarios sparked by cabinet nominations or policy suggestions?
As a Democratic voter who donated money, wrote postcards, and traveled out of state to knock on doors for Harris-Walz, I say we need to take a step back. Let’s see what happens instead of imagining the worst and tying ourselves in tighter knots.
If the Trump administration unleashes the chaos and pain we expect, may his voters witness, experience, and regret what they have done. If that chaos does not occur, any catastrophizing by Democrats will seem unjustified and therefore counterproductive. Either way, caution will put the party on firmer ground to regain legitimacy in the midterms and beyond.
Christi Whittemore
Costa Mesa, California.
To the editor:
I totally agree with Jamelle Bouie. I am a Democrat and the Democratic Party makes me furious.
Some Democrats want to work with a criminal incoming president and find common ground. There is none. Donald Trump was supported by billionaires and voted for by a bewitched electorate that believed his lies. Their goals are tax cuts for the rich and tariffs for the rest of us. Does that sound democratic?
Democrats should do what Senator Mitch McConnell did with former President Barack Obama. Obama came into office naive, thinking he could work on the other side of the spectrum. McConnell’s goal was to make Obama a one-term president. He didn’t succeed, but he made it impossible for Obama to reach his full potential as president.
Democratic politicians, please fight, don’t bow down, or the party will fail forever.
Diana Sloan
Los Angeles
To the editor:
Jamelle Bouie offers an excellent plan of action for determined but responsible opposition to the Trumpian madness that will soon beset our country.
A relentless critique of the Trump administration’s policies and actions will not only expose Donald Trump’s efforts to “put anarchy at the center of American government.” It will also provide an opportunity for the American people to view and evaluate Democratic politicians seeking higher office.
The Democratic Party has a large group of young and articulate leaders who can, through their critiques, showcase their oratory skills and their commitment to the values of the Democratic Party.
Edmundo McWilliams
White Oaks, New Mexico, USA
How the United States benefits from trade with China
To the editor:
In “What Economists Could Learn from ‘Seinfeld’” (guest opinion essay, Dec. 24), Oren Cass writes that economists were wrong to welcome China into the global economic system. He says American workers are worse off, not better.
It is evident that Americans have benefited from globalization, especially China. China supplies us with many very inexpensive products that we would not otherwise be able to afford. And the Chinese are buying our high-tech products, like airplanes (as well as our movies).
If American workers are worse off, it is not so much because of the decline in manufacturing due to competition from China. This is because a much larger proportion of economic benefits have gone to the owners of capital (shareholders and CEOs) than to workers. That’s not China’s fault; that is a failure of capitalism and an example of why we need a higher minimum wage.
And to make matters worse, even after doing the complete opposite of what his instincts told him, George Costanza remained the same fool he always was on “Seinfeld,” albeit with a more interesting occupation.
Shaun Breidbart
Pelham, New York, USA
Rising rates of autism
To the editor:
Re “Study authorizes vaccines for increase in autism. So what’s behind this? (news article, December 25):
As a practicing developmental/behavioral pediatrician with over four decades of experience, I believe this article fails to address the most important reason why autism rates have skyrocketed over the past 20 years.
He cites broader diagnostic criteria and increased awareness, but not the fact that an autism diagnosis is the key to getting insurance companies to support mainstream autism intervention. applied behavioral analysisor ABA treatment, one of the few proven effective treatments for autism.
What is generally less known is that most behavior problems in a toddler or preschooler will respond to ABA treatment. Pediatricians and pediatric psychologists feel the pressure to provide the diagnosis of autism. While in the past they might have diagnosed the child with developmental or language delay, now with any sign of even borderline autism, evaluators will narrow the diagnosis toward autism. It’s another case of “follow the money.”
Lorenzo Diller
Walnut Creek, California.
Amazed by Schubert
To the editor:
Re “Schubert is the best cure I know for loneliness,” by Jonathan Biss (guest opinion essay, nytimes.com, December 28):
Mr. Biss’s wonderful analysis of Schubert’s last three piano sonatas reminds us of Beethoven’s last three sonatas. Both he and Schubert faced, with their own unique musical voices, similar issues of mortality, physical and emotional challenges, and, ultimately, acceptance. Consider Beethoven’s last piano sonata (Op. 111), which begins with anger and defiance and concludes with transformative serenity and beauty.
I have to believe that each of them appreciated the importance of the other’s work, particularly how each was able, through masterful use of sound and silence, to express emotional struggles.
They gave voice to universal feelings that we all face. It’s no wonder these masterpieces remain so impactful to this day.
Les Libow
Philadelphia
To the editor:
I found the three sonatas that Jonathan Biss referenced on a CD and I’m so glad I discovered them (thanks to him).
The final movement of Schubert’s D. 958 is simply incredible. It is not only beautiful but also uplifting and inspiring. That this music of joy and hope was written by a young man less than two months after dying… It’s hard for me to understand.
Thank you for publishing articles like this.
joffe leon
Pretoria, South Africa
A common bond, thanks to The Times
To the editor:
I am writing to share a reflection on a recent family Christmas gathering that brought together many diverse perspectives and lifestyles.
Within our extended family, we have liberals and conservatives, each with their own strong opinions. Some are vegetarians while others are dedicated carnivores. Our family includes those who pray the rosary daily and those who identify as agnostic. We have self-proclaimed foodies savoring the latest culinary trends and unapologetic junk food addicts. Our ages range from adolescence to 70 years old.
The conversation when we meet can become lively, heated, and often split into special interest groups.
What I noticed was the one topic of conversation that united us all: the New York Times games: Wordle, Connections, Mini, and Strands.
Thank you, New York Times, for doing something peacemakers have been trying to do for centuries: giving us a common bond that transcends differences and generations!
Patricia Jones
Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
Recognizing the work of Local Call
To the editor:
“Israel loosened limits on attacks, multiplying risks for Gaza civilians” (front page, December 27) expanded on the original Local Call report, a Hebrew news outlet and +972 magazine, a Palestinian-Israeli news website. While the New York Times reviewed military records, conducted its own interviews, and accurately credited +972 magazine, it did not credit Local Call, who played a fundamental role in the investigation.
Local Call was founded in April 2014 and has since been recognized as one of Israel’s leading media outlets by the country’s leading journalists and editors. As the only media outlet in Israel to consistently publish writings by Palestinian and Gazan writers, it has become a window into the rampant bombing of Gaza over the past 16 months and a pioneer in investigative journalism that exposes the politics and machinery that fuel Israel’s war.
It is important to us that Local Call is recognized for the vital work its journalists and team have done over the last horrible year.
Suhad Babaa
Washington
The writer is CEO of Just Vision and co-editor of Local Call.
