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MacKay cartoon was spot on

I have to admit that I was very confused in the spring by Ford’s declaration that they were going to put an “iron ring” around LTC. Thank you to Graeme MacKay for the clarification of this quote! You are spot on, nothing has changed for our LTC facilities other than an increase in cases of COVID and the number of deaths. What has Merrilee Fullerton and the Progressive Conservative Party done to protect these seniors? Jackie Adamson, Hamilton

Thankful for this Liberal government

In The Spectator’s View, you posed the question “How would the Conservatives have handled the vaccine file better?” Then you answered your own question: “this country had the capacity at one point until it was privatized by the Mulroney Progressive Conservative government ... (and) Stephen Harper cut research and development funding.” That just about says it all. My personal feeling is that a political set that believes venality and greed qualify one to receive the Order of Ontario, exemption from prosecution for crimes and misdemeanours, and fat reimbursements from the taxpayers, would probably make a rat’s nest of any response to a crisis.

We’ve seen this play out around the world already: Balsinaro, Trump, Boris J . ... need I go on? The right, it is obvious, does not ally itself with the interests of “we, the people.” The right has a radically different agenda. I, for one, thank my gods that it is a Liberal government at the helm of the ship of state in this particular storm. Frank Spadafora, Hamilton

LTC minister is MIA

Ontario Minister of Long Term Care, Merrilee Fullerton, has been missing in action for so long now, she will probably need to quarantine for 14 days before she returns to cabinet.

Evelyn Young, Hamilton

Take your fight to Ottawa

The goodwill that has appeared in Caledonia by the Skyler Williams group taking down the barricades is a hopeful sign to come in this standoff, we hope. The mention though that they could be just as fast put back if this group sees anything happening that they suspect might not be in their interest is as fast disheartening. If they truly want to start a path of resolving this issue, Skyler Williams, the members of the elected band council, and the Confederacy Chiefs need to pack up and get out of Caledonia and head off down the road to Ottawa where the seat of power is. If you keep sitting around in Caledonia waiting for the politicians in Ottawa to come to you, your grandchildren will still be fighting for this resolution in the future of this same issue. The PM campaigned on resolving Indigenous issues in the last election so hold him to it. There are some great open grassy areas in front of the Parliament Buildings in Ottawa where you could set up your protest and plead your cause to the national media. You need to inconvenience these politicians, get in their faces to get their attention as your group has done in Caledonia.

Suzanne Bacik, Stoney Creek

Loblaw workers frustrated

I would like to share the anger and frustrations felt by employees in retail stores owned by multibillionaire Galen Weston. We have served our communities from the beginning, people from every walk of life, even hospital workers and medical staff who are right in the middle of it. We can’t see our families because we are front line and needed! There is no COVID pay for us, most work for less than what we would get from the government if we had health issues or COVID. With the current lockdown and restrictions many customers ignore these warnings. There is a constant scare for us. Many of the workers are depressed and anxious. And unappreciated! Thank you for any help you can offer by putting this out there.

Wendy Fulton, Hamilton

Do we want what we voted for?

Basking in the abundance of promises from President J. Biden we must remember it is the same process that elected Doug Ford.

The reality: we get what we vote for but do we want what we got? COVID was not on any ballot but we did not expect such failure in the light of this crisis. We have a belief in universal health care regardless of the political party. COVID is now. The failure of our health-care system has its roots back 30 years.

Now is the time to stop the political finger pointing. Now is the time for action. Remember, we get what we vote for. But do we want what we got?

Don Graves, Burlington

Here’s hoping Democrats keep their promises

John Wanamaker (1838-1922) was a successful businessperson who owned 16 department stores, which he eventually sold to Macy’s. He stated that he knew half of his advertising was wasted, but did not know which half. No doubt today a good advertising agency, having far more media and research tools to work with, would be able to pinpoint his best target groups and reduce the waste.

The recent rerun of the Georgia Senate election made for a political comparison, with a staggering $500,000,000, spent to elect a winning duo from the Republicans or Democrats. Seems some 4.5 million voted, making the cost per voter about $112.

After a last minute comeback, the Democrats won to tie their opposition with 50 total national seats each. A huge win to keep from a lame duck status.

Hoping that indeed the promised truth and openness by the winners will become reality.