LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

We need a Green New Deal to create millions of green jobs

I am 32 years old, and I am scared that I will not be able to live my life without being affected by catastrophic consequences of climate change. I am scared to have children because I doubt that this planet will be a safe place for humans for much longer.

The poor air quality prevents me from breathing fresh air and puts my health at risk, but it is the lack of urgent collective action against human-induced climate change that suffocates me with fear.

United Nations climate scientists tell us we have just 12 years to move our country off fossil fuels if we want to avoid irreversible climate disaster. Therefore, I support Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s resolution to create a House Select Committee for a Green New Deal in Congress. We need a Green New Deal to create millions of green jobs, move our country off fossil fuels, and protect working people of all backgrounds. I call on my representatives in Congress, U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro and U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy, to support this resolution.

Irina Kogan New Haven

Inaccuracies in letter about Tree of Life in Old Lyme appalling

The inaccuracies in Elaine Braffman’s recent letter are appalling. The Tree of Life in Old Lyme is not a church, but an organization within the First Congregational Church of Old Lyme. She accuses it of spreading “horrific anti-Semitism” and “hatred” against Jews. I’ve been to many of its programs and heard no such thing. Speakers I’ve heard at its program include numerous American and Israeli Jews, John Olsen former Connecticut AFL-CIO leader and former Gov. Lowell Weicker, not one of whom would share a platform with an anti-Semite. I did hear sharp, valid criticism of Israel. Braffman makes a horrible charge that the Pittsburgh murderer was inspired by things similar to what was said at the church. That’s false. There’s not one shred of evidence that the murderer in Pittsburgh had any interest in Palestinians. He hated immigrants and was stirred up by hatred fueled by white nationalists.

Connecticut remains a high-tax blue state

LouAnn Villani

West Haven

Regarding John Stoehr’s Nov. 8 column, first off, congratulations for being right. I’ve been “right” many times in my life when my guy won, and I’ve been “wrong” many times when my guy lost.

Stefanowski’s “bubble” was the group of people in Connecticut that don’t want to pay for other people’s free stuff. This group is confirmed as a minority now.

As for his claim of the “blue wave” backlash against President Trump, the last two governor’s elections in 2010 and 2014 were pretty much the same as this one — close victories for the Democratic governor candidate, much bigger victories for the Democratic Congressional candidates. What Republican was the recipient of the “backlash” back then that caused those identical results?

Connecticut remains a high tax blue state, and it is clear that everyone has to take that into account when planning their futures.

Peter Peterson

Southbury