Voters can make informed choices to help our schools

The Miami Herald is to be complimented for its informative Aug. 9 article “Who are the Miami-Dade School Board candidates?”

I was thankful that, based on the information contained, voters would be able to better acquaint themselves with those who not only have offered themselves for leadership roles in our public school district but whose backgrounds and philosophies are known to so few.

Much is at stake for the future of the 345,000 students that the system serves and the 40,000 employees who make up the heart and soul of our elementary and secondary educational programs.

It may be considered trite to declare that every informed vote makes a huge difference, but no saying is truer. The welfare of our community hinges on talented, educated citizens — who are, in large part, dependent on the quality of public schools.

Our nation is caught up in a critical moment of moral introspection, racial conflict, the coronavirus pandemic challenge, and policy debate.

It is heartening that a contingent of well-qualified candidates has offered to serve in this public office, the importance of which is often lost among higherprofile political battles.

Now that the Herald has provided us with the necessary information to cast an informed ballot, it is up to each of us to take an active part on Aug. 18 and vote.

– Jeannett Slesnick, Coral Gables

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VOTING CAN BE FUN

Now that there is a good solid team to represent the Democrats, I sadly await the infighting, rivalry and lame jockeying of the various ideological sects of this vibrant, diverse and widely inclusive party.

The past three and a half years of the Trump administration and Republican Senate have left more than 160,000 Americans dead, Social Security and Medicare being offered as sacrifice for a tax break and [insert your favorite calamities or injustices here].

We’ve got one opportunity to take these jokers down. Look at voting as a survivor adventure or a video game, where the bad guys get picked off one by one and dignity, integrity and prosperity prevail. Also prevailing will be our natural resources and faith in our democracy.

Have a mail-in ballot? Either hand-deliver it to a polling location or mail it on the first day available. After all, one of Trump’s biggest donors has been given the job of eviscerating the U.S. Postal Service, and our ballots will not be counted if they arrive a day late, despite a timely postmark.

– Debbi Cian, Miami

FALSE ALARM

Concerns that the postal service won’t have the capacity to deliver one ballot from each voter are ridiculous considering the service’s proven ability to deliver multitudes of political fliers to each voter.

– Lois Paulson, Miami

NATION’S BINDER

There have always been criticism and jokes at the expense of the U.S. Postal Service, some of it deserved. But, overall, there is no better mail service in the world. There is no agency more central to American life. It is still important, keeping America open for business, community and family.

Modern technology has reduced the nation’s dependency on this service, but it is still the only service capable and willing of delivering to every address at a reasonable price. The service has kept its appointed rounds through war, natural disasters, terrorist attacks and, now, a worldwide pandemic. It has a diverse workforce and employs many military veterans.

I ask everyone to contact their congressional representatives and encourage them to give the postal service all the financial and moral support it needs. – Iris Murgado,

Miami

A BIT OF A SNAG

Some flaws in our democracy persist and cry out for changes.

Newspapers should present the news and stick to the facts; they should not be allowed to post articles suggesting for whom to vote.

Corporations do not vote, but focus their financial power acquired through lobbying our senators and representatives in Washington, D.C. Voters

don’t have the same level of power, therefore, corporations should set aside 50 percent of their lobbying money to let citizens use it to exert the same amount of power.

– Fernando Gallo,

Kendall

COVID-19’S REALITY

Re the Aug. 11 letter “Who are the people dying of COVID-19? Obits don’t identify:” The writer is far too logical with his comments. Unfortunately, government leaders and national and local broadcasters place too much emphasis on stats and not enough on details.

If everyone knew about the ages of those who have passed, and perhaps come across a familiar name, maybe the fear of this horrible virus would actually hit home.

– Manuel Galceran,

West Kendall

TEST MISNOMER

Citizens need to be aware that the “fast test” promoted by Gov. DeSantis is not fast at all. We are over 65 with some symptoms. We did a five-day test, then Monday morning we did the fast test at Marlins Park.

After 48 hours, we still did not have results from the fast test. No one in county or state health agencies seems to have any idea how long it will take to get results. This is disgraceful. No wonder South Florida is spreading COVID-19 so broadly.

– Kay Coulter, Miami Shores

THE BIG PICTURE

It’s a very hard world these days for independent voters. What happens to people like myself — logical thinkers — who see good things in both parties without going to extremes.

What happened to those days when politicians from both sides came to an understanding for the good of the people?

Joe Biden should have chosen a centrist for his ticket; this is what most Americans want, and neither party sees it. They’re pulling each other apart until one breaks. Let it be the most logical. Until then, people like me will have to choose the best of two evils.

– Martha A. Ginory,

Kendall

CAN’T PARK IT

Finding a parking space in Coconut Grove gets harder and harder as time goes by. At one time, we were able to use the post office parking area, but that was lost.

The Playhouse parking site should have a three- or four-story garage. This may happen some day when the city and county mayors stop fighting about what should happen to the theater and surrounding area. The Grove needs parking.

Now that we are permitted only outdoor dining because of COVID-19, the Grove has lost about 20 parking spaces. Political influence is nice to have, especially when you can get one of the only two streets in the Grove between Grand Avenue and Main Highway for you own profit. This is not sidewalk dining, this is street dining.

Why must Coconut Grove residents lose street parking so one restaurant owner can make money?

– Douglas Torborg,

Coconut Grove

NOT THE MIDDLE MAN

Re the Aug. 11 letter “Biden’s stand:” Is Joe Biden the most liberal Democrat or, as Biden’s wife says, he is a moderate?

Biden is the most liberal, because the middle of America is now liberal.

President Trump’s support is based on older white men who still remember when their fathers ran the world.

They are mad because they dropped the ball, and “The Others” have power now.

– Charlie Schmidt,

Key West

A LIGHTNING BOLT?

President Trump initially, and without precedent, thought of giving his acceptance speech from the White House. Then he floated the idea of giving it, in extremely poor taste, from the Gettysburg battlefield.

Now that he has announced a deal between Israel and the United Arab Emirates, I guess he’ll be traveling to the Holy Land and giving his speech from the believed site of the Sermon on the Mount.

– Michelle Finlay,

Miami