Either the ballot or the wallet

Manhattan: The Daily News refers to my legislation as intending to “punish” citizens who do not vote on Election Day (“New Yorkers who don’t vote would pay $10 fine under assemblywoman’s bill,” March 17). I am not seeking to be punitive. Rather, this measure is aimed at encouraging all citizens to embrace their responsibility as citizens to participate in our democracy and vote. I am also a co-sponsor of legislation to guarantee automatic voter registration and early voting in New York State. Taken together, these measures represent a desire to improve voter engagement, not to “punish.”

I’m envious of voter turnout in other nations, including Australia, which has compulsory voting requirements. Failure to vote in Australia leads to a fine of roughly $15 for a first-time offender. The $10 fine my legislation proposes may be waived, and can be completely avoided by simply voting.

I’m perplexed that a measure intended to increase voter turnout is perceived differently than other requirements of citizenship, such as requiring jury service to ensure Americans are judged by their peers, a hallmark of our democracy. Such minimal requirements of citizenship ensure that our democracy thrives. This is in stark contrast to repeated attempts nationwide to suppress voter turnout. In the face of voter suppression efforts, steps to ensure our elections are easily available and well-attended are just common sense.

Assemblymember Deborah Glick

Vote or else?

Staten Island: How does Assemblywoman Deborah Glick come off introducing legislation to establish compulsory voting or be fined $10 for not voting? Is this the best she can do for the money we pay her? If this is what we get, then she should step down or the voters in her West Side district should not vote for her next time. I would think that there would be more pressing issues that need her attention. Thomas M. Bell

Make it mandatory

Manhattan: To counter our history of voter suppression and marginalization in the U.S., and yes, even in New York City and State, there is no better way of signaling to people that their votes matter than making participation mandatory. Assemblywoman Glick’s proposal bolsters Attorney General Eric Schneiderman’s recently announced voting reform package, as compulsory voting puts added impetus on the government to accommodate universal participation. Other countries have seen just the prospect of very moderate penalties increase voter turnout dramatically. Government encourages and requires its citizens to do many things from filing taxes to wearing seat belts. What could be more critical to boosting the health of a democracy than having elected bodies better reflect the people they serve?

Dan Ferris

Get him outta here

Edison, N.J.: If President Trump is such a good negotiator, now is the time to negotiate his resignation before they have a chance to impeach him. Take a tip from Sarah Palin. Stocks are sliding; Wall Street doesn’t trust him; Vice President Mike Pence and top officials are globetrotting doing damage control and putting out fires. Don Jr. thought he was being cute by tweeting and criticizing London Mayor Sadiq Khan at this horrible time. Despicable, cowardly act. The Koch brothers pledged millions to GOPers in 2018 for voting against repeal and replacement of the Affordable Care Act. When will this madness end? Carole Canace

Fulfilling his promises

Jackson Heights: Unlike so many politicians who claim they will do just about anything the people want to hear when they are campaigning, but then suddenly develop amnesia once they are elected, President Trump is attempting to do the things he said he would do when he campaigned. However, in the current political climate, it remains to be seen how much of his agenda he will actually get accomplished.

Charles M. Barthold

Brothers in arms

Ridgewood: I usually rant about politicians and the high cost of the MTA, but this time I’d like to congratulate my brother Kenny Johnson for pulling out an elderly man from a house fire on Chauncey St. Sunday and my other brothers Todd Brenner and Andrew Scharf for lowering a civilian to safety using the lifesaving rope three weeks ago. You lads make Ladder 176 and the FDNY proud. Francheisko Perez

Too many armed

Forest Hills: To Voicer Charles M. Pignano: I’m pretty sure we in the United States arm our police officers, and there are many states that permit individuals to carry guns. The question is whether armed civilians have been sufficiently trained to react properly in a situation where someone is unexpectedly shooting at people. Pulling out your weapon and just shooting it could cause more harm than good. Linda Sperling

No crime to cover up

Hackensack, N.J.: I travel abroad every six months, and I’ve seen it all, but even the stewardesses themselves should be wearing longer dresses (“Here’s why United Airlines banned girls with leggings from a flight,” March 27). On my last trip, this stewardess kept bending down and was flashing everyone. I’m pretty sure men appreciated it, but not me, so I’d rather see tights than short dresses. Sandy Hernandez

She stands for all

Santa Fe, N.M.: I think “Fearless Girl” can represent not only feminists but also all people who will stand up to bullies. This is especially relevant in these days of terrorists and bullies in other political power structures.

Nancy Fordyce

Honor among thieves

Kew Gardens Hills: Those two inmates who escaped from the Clinton Correctional Facility should have fled to Albany (“Gov got me beat up!” March 17). No one would spot them because they would have blended in with all the other crooks there. Albany is Rikers Island North, a Field of Schemes, a Felony Factory and an ideal location for a sequel to “Orange Is the New Black.”

Richard Reif

Ain’t no choke

Brooklyn: In regard to the remarks made by Voicer Lenny Kelly, what Police Officer Daniel Pantaleo did was a takedown of a much larger person resisting arrest. It was not a chokehold, but I would be glad to show you a chokehold. As for him receiving seven civilian complaints, that means nothing since anyone can make a complaint. Many lawyers tell their clients to make complaints to help their cases, often people make complaints because they feel they are getting even for some police action, and there are those who make complaints so they can sue the city and make money. Most complaints to the Civilian Complaint Review Board are baseless and unsubstantiated. Robert Alongi

Justice denied

Bronx: I’ll wager I laughed just as hard as any Republican at your “dastardly deed for which they should be continually shamed” comment (“Make him Justice Gorsuch,” editorial, March 26). Do you really believe shame is on their palette of emotions? Or that it has been at any time this century? Absolutely, the national interest must be the Democrats’ priority, and that interest can only be served by blocking Trump at every turn. There must be no Andrew Kelly/Reuters rewarding the Republicans’ contempt for democracy. They may invoke “the nuclear option.” So what? Trump will appoint no one who does not share his values, and whether Neil Gorsuch is approved with 51 votes or 60 affects his destructive power by not a nanojoule. Perhaps Judge Gorsuch is, as you say, “whipsmart.” He seems smart enough to avoid answering questions, as shown by your quote from him regarding Roe vs. Wade. The late Justice Scalia, by most accounts, was also “whip-smart.” It didn’t stop him from being a decadeslong disaster for the country. There may be only eight justices on the bench for a while. Again, who cares? It isn’t a baseball team. When we’re down to seven, we’ll get majority decisions again. Any Democrat who rewards the Republicans by approving Trump’s nominee shows no courage — proves, in fact, utter lack of it. Ronald Young

No way, no how

Brooklyn: I could not disagree more with your Neil Gorsuch editorial! As you state, the Republicans stole the nomination of Merrick Garland; this seat was the rightful duty of President Obama to fill. This decisiveness should not be rewarded. The country is divided; let the Supreme Court remain divided. This life-tenured position should not be filled while there are any clouds over the nomination, or, most importantly, the “presidency” that has put forward this tainted nomination. Pete Culliney