Scams on elderly deserve more prosecution

Regarding the May 6 article “How Criminals Steal $37 Billion a Year From America’s Elderly”: I was shocked but not surprised to see that some 5 million elderly are being scammed by lowlifes to that degree. Not only are they losing life savings but, in some cases, their lives as a result of suicide, stress, etc. These tormenters, who call many times a day, are not being taken seriously enough.

The “just hang up” admonition is obviously not enough, based on the dollar amount claimed. I’ve heard all the excuses — “they have special software, they are outside the country, etc.” No, I don’t have the answer. But might I suggest that when caught, in addition to the fines they apparently laugh at, slammer time is appropriate. Who provides them the phone lines they use? Prosecute them. A Manhattan district attorney says, “I knew these crimes were killing people.”

Some say the $37 billion figure is underestimated. Politicians, put away your petty bickering and get on this. How bad does it have to get? DON WALKER

Morningside pondered what could possibly be happening outside.

To make matters worse, at first they simply couldn’t understand why I, as their physician, dispassionately just told them to take another deep breath as I listened to their lungs, instead of appearing surprised and confused myself — until I told them it all just amounted to another wellmeaning therapeutic intervention by “Dr. X.” downstairs. FRANK MAZZA, M.D.

Austin, Texas

The resemblance between modern Republican political actions and those of Third World dictators grows daily.

In both cases, they enrich the already rich, demonize the press and tend to despoil the environment. One of the most obvious parallels is the call to engage in criminal prosecution of the opposition ... just for being the opposition.

We’ve had to endure the mindless and shameful calls of “lock her up!” from national Republicans. Now we have state Sen. Scott Wagner, running for the Republican nomination for governor, announcing to a campaign crowd that “Tom Wolf should be charged with something!” (May 6, “Head of WasteHauling Company Wants to Be ‘Cleanup Guy’”). Gov. Tom Wolf should be charged with “something” because you don’t like him, senator? Because he is in the governor’s seat that you want? Many despots and dictators would be in firm agreement with Mr. Wagner’s tactics. However, in the United States, obstruction of justice or the violation of campaign finance laws can be a charge. “I don’t like him or his political views” cannot be a charge.

I remember and mourn for the Republican Party as it was in the time of Sen. John Heinz, who worked for all Pennsylvanians with class, dignity and honor. The symbol of today’s GOP should be changed from an elephant to a banana, as it more accurately depicts its banana-republic sensibilities. TIMOTHY GAUS

Ross