Wasted by a disease called hate

Rosedale: I worked, helped buy a house, pay my taxes and vote. I’ve lived in New York for over 60 years. It hurts when I read the paper or look at the news. Some of my friends say that they don’t read or listen to the news anymore. I know we need to know what’s going on around us, but it’s just so ugly. People being hateful toward one another, most of the time for no good reason. I used to have conversations about family, television programs, fashion and so on. Now it’s all about Trump, making America great and not doing a good job. Changing laws to only benefit a small percentage of the population. His approach to immigration, which has caused so many problems for families. Singling out certain races.

I know he’s doing what a lot of us always wanted to do. He’s saying it’s because these are people who want to kill us. A lot of people think it’s OK to step on other people’s rights, until your rights are violated. We have cops being killed and cops killing. Again, hate and being afraid of each other. When I was growing up, we knew cops in our neighborhood. They knew us and our parents. They were white in a mixed neighborhood. We respected them and they respected us.

I know some of you are going to say, “Things change.” Have things changed, or have we changed? I don’t have a problem with change, but do it for at least 80% of the people. Brenda Ellis

Strong workers, strong work

Manhattan: The Op-Ed “Got subway anger? Aim it at the unions” (Jan. 5) insults readers’ intelligence with a false narrative scapegoating blue-collar workers and labor unions for the costs of transit construction. There is overwhelming evidence that “prevailing wages” do not drive up construction costs. The Economic Policy Institute concludes that New York’s wage laws ensure fair pay and benefits while imposing minimal additional costs. Infrastructure projects in New York City, especially those involving a transit system with more lines, stations and miles of track than any other metropolitan system, are some of the most complex undertakings in the world and demand a highly skilled, well-compensated workforce. Furthermore, tunnel construction is a highly dangerous occupation. We take no issue with becoming more efficient if the data and facts suggest there’s a need. But we will not accept scapegoating middle class workers who are trying to do their job and provide for their families.

Gary LaBarbera, president, Building & Construction Trades

Council of Greater New York

Bad for the vets

Brooklyn: Donald Trump opens his mouth and he tells another lie. When he was running, he said he would be the best President for the active military and veterans. Trump has done nothing.

Charles R. Clouden

Hail to the ex-chief

Floral Park: To Voicer Vincent Rizzo: You are complaining about a statement against President Trump, but meanwhile disrespecting former President Obama by calling him “corrupt, divisive and a failure.” Please try to remember President Obama’s time in office. He bailed out the auto industry, which saved jobs and businesses. Those companies paid back the debt plus interest. Unemployment numbers were lowered. The economy was losing jobs, which he turned around. The Dow went from 10,000 to 19,000. Our soldiers are no longer dying on the battlefield. Osama Bin Laden was captured without incident. Millions of people got health insurance. Gas prices and mortgage rates were low. He encouraged using natural gas. There was GDP growth. He worked calmly with world leaders and he did this in a humble and efficient way, never feeling he had to pat himself on the back.

Patricia E. Ryan

UN out of America

Reading, Pa.: I read the Daily News on Saturday and Sunday to humor myself about everyone beating President Trump to death. Get over it! He won the election according to the rules, without any help to answer debate questions. As a moderate Republican, I don’t always walk lockstep with him. However, despite the rantings and ravings from liberal leftist elitists and liberal leftist media, he made an excellent decision to move the U.S. Embassy to Israel’s recognized seat of government. I would hope that Congress would reduce or eliminate funding for the Communist- and Third Worlddominated United Nations. I would gladly donate $100 to help move the UN to Moscow, Tehran or Beijing, where it belongs.

Albert Beanenap Jr.

Unerring God

Yonkers: Regarding the Lord’s Prayer, the part saying “lead us not into temptation” is obviously incorrect. The Pope is right — God would not lead his children into error. The words were originally perhaps “Leave us not into temptation,” which makes more sense. Any child of God can simply say “Father come — Father come” with conviction, and their problem will be resolved. The Father and Son represent the imagination — and you know what Einstein said about that. Pat Greene

Secrets of the bodies

Manhattan: When and if Congress begins ethics investigations into sexual harassment, how will anybody know if any of the members passing judgment are the same who have partaken of the hush-slush fund? One must wonder how many members of Congress, men and perhaps women, are members of the still-secret list, shielded by nondisclosure agreements bought by the public. This issue needs a whistleblower or even WikiLeaks to come forward and shine a spotlight. Kevin Kent

Low ‘Five’

Brooklyn: Have you noticed how chatty the talking heads have become at Fox News, especially on the show called “The Five,” with each allegation of sexual abuse by politicians, movie stars and business executives? Yet they were as quiet as church mice when these same allegations were leveled at Roger Ailes, Bill O’Reilly, Eric Bolling, etc.

Donald Cunningham

Tickets of consolation

Long Island City: To Voicer Irene Hughes: I too feel bad for Mark Denny, who spent 30 years in prison for a crime he didn’t commit (“His gift of freedom,” Dec. 21). It would not be the perfect solution, but two tickets to the Super Bowl could help make up for that miscarriage of justice.

Steve Chaddock

Some raise

Brooklyn: What happened to my 2% Social Security increase? It was given to me in one hand and taken away with the other. I ended up with exactly the same amount I’ve been getting for the last two years. The premium for Medicare was increased the same exact amount as the so-called cost-of-living increase. I really didn’t expect my Medicare premiums to go up. And my Social Security benefit is the same as it was two years ago. Sad! Rose Juno

Less is more

Brooklyn: To Voicer Joe Fusco, who can’t understand how Voicer Jean Hampsas will only get $3 after her “huge” 2% cost-of-living increase: You see, Joe, Social Security gives with one hand and takes back with the other — your check increases, but so does your Medicare deduction. My payment will remain the same as it’s been, and the last time we got an STEPHEN LAM/REUTERS increase I lost $4. Folks who don’t need the money get more and the ones who could really use a few more dollars lose out. It’s the American way!

Christina C. Anderson

Sweet concoction

Whitestone: Recipe for world peace: 2 cups love for God; 1 cup faith; 6 tablespoons compassion; 3 tablespoons humility; 2 tablespoons humor; 7 tablespoons charity; 6 tablespoons patience. Makes enough for 7 days. Mix above with heaping spoonfuls of love and laughter. Make new batch weekly and serve daily.

Sally De Felice

Vacancy in Queens

Manahawkin, N.J.: As long as the C-H-E-A-P Wilpons own the Mets and do nothing, there will be a lot of empty seats at Citi Field.

George W. Weber

The end is near

Fort Lee: A new year doesn’t bring for me the idea that better times are coming. That is for young people. When you reach my age, you are just closer to the end, and even though I have the outlook of a French philosopher of long ago who said you can’t prove or disprove the existence of God and that you can’t prove or disprove life after death, you might as well believe because if you are wrong you won’t know about it anyway. But I still don’t look forward to the coming year because I know my time is running out. Gary Schwartz