With Election Day approaching, readers weigh in on Trump, Biden
Barrett confirmation was rushed through
When the Senate approved Ruth Bader Ginsberg, the vote was 96 to 3. When the Senate approved Amy Coney Barrett, the vote was 52 to 48. All three of the President Donald Trump’s appointments to the Supreme Court have had similar votes: Neil Gorsuch in 2017, 54 to 45; Brett Kavanaugh in 2018, 50 to 48.
Sonia Sotomayor in 2009 received 68 yes votes and Elena Kagan received 63 yes votes in 2010.
In the rushed process of Barrett’s confirmation, the president has again demonstrated his failure as a leader. Once again, he has done all that he can to divide us. He does not lead all of America; he leads a small minority.
This version of Supreme Court packing might be one of this president’s last acts, but it is one that will continue to curse Americans with division for decades to come. A true leader unites people. Dennis Barone,
West Hartford
Blumenthal should be ashamed
We elect politicians to legislate and participate in the U.S. Senate. Sen. Richard Blumenthal sits on the prestigious Senate Judiciary Committee. The committee was charged with voting on forwarding the nomination of Supreme Court Justice AmyConey Barrett for consideration by the full Senate. Rather than participating and voting ‘No,’ Blumenthal simply didn’t show up. To add insult to injury, he placed a picture of a small child on his committee seat instead — the thought being that this child might be negatively impacted by the Affordable Care Act. This is an unconscionable display of childish behavior.
While Blumenthal is not up for election, such continued immature behavior will cost him my vote. Bottom line: Do your job.
Tim Pelton, Plantsville
Rennie on target on Republicans
Kevin Rennie: While frequently disagreeing with you, I have always respected your insight and perspective, whether as lawmaker, columnist or speaker. You are knowledgeable and a careful steward of truth.
Sunday’s op-ed [Section 3,
Page 1, Oct. 25, “On our Election Day reckoning, a chance for GOPredemption”] filled mewith admiration and gratitude for your eloquence.
That today’s Republicans might emulate the 1940 collaboration between Wendell Willkie and FDRto save freedom and democracy from the looming Nazi threat, and help bring us out of darkness, disunity and despair, seems less likely. I was a Republican in the 1950s and early 1960s. NowI am embarrassed to admit that.
However, your stance and that of the founders of the Lincoln Project, Republicans for Biden,
former national security officials and a growing chorus of disaffected former Trump supporters, gives mehope.
Harald M. Sandstrom, Bloomfield
Racism accusations are unfounded
The Courant has been a mostly comforting part of my life for over 50 years, but with your endorsement rationale of Joe Biden, trashing President Donald Trump, you have forced me to cancel my subscription.
Your focus on racism either shows your ignorance or your determined attempt to deceive. Trump has been the most proactive president in support of minorities with his grants to Historically Black Colleges, his reform of sentencing guidelines, the establishment of economic opportunity zones and his achievement of the lowest unemployment rate for Blacks and Hispanics before COVID-19.
As to the typical Democrat charge of anti-Jew, his daughter and son-in-law are Jewish. He supported Israel by moving the embassy to Jerusalem, fulfilling the promises of past presidents.
Sadly, all major media have abdicated their sacred role under our Constitution to hold the powerful to truth. The Courant included.
Jeffrey J Grandahl,
Simsbury