Democrats hurting themselves

Biden unveils $1.75T plan | Oct. 29

Two names I hope never to hear again: Kyrsten Sinema and Joe Manchin. To be clear, I remain glad that Joe Biden is the president of the United States and continue to believe he is the right person to heal our nation. In addition, I fully support Biden’s “Build Back Better” agenda and all the good it will do to improve the lives of Americans. However, once again the Democrats have become experts at doing themselves in, snatching defeat from the jaws of victory. As someone who studies political communication, I find this is the case both from a messaging and action perspective. The daily bickering among Democrats and repeated misleading claims that a deal is close provide an ongoing soap opera capable of alienating people of all political persuasions. Moreover, how embarrassing that Biden headed to Europe on Thursday with a “framework” agreement, something far less than the one thing he needed most to regain the trust of our allies: evidence that the country’s democracy is working. I am sad and worried, fearing the impact of this disaster on the 2022 elections, as well as upcoming gubernatorial elections. I wonder if Democrats ever will learn from their past rhetorical mistakes.

Richard Cherwitz, Austin, Texas

Government overreach

New COVID cases plummet in Florida ... and other hopeful signs | Editorial, Oct. 29

Ben Franklin once said that: “Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty or safety.” That sounds to me a lot like what many Americans have been doing these past two years. The government overreach throughout the pandemic has been nothing short of tyranny and oppression, and the use of a crisis to coerce the obedience and conformity of the people at the sacrifice of our constitutional rights and liberties.

Charles Sitero, Ormond Beach

Optimal is better

Surfside panel: toughen scrutiny | Oct. 28

The article about toughening standards in the wake of the Surfside condo collapse quotes panel member Allen Douglas as saying, “We’re looking at this as the bare minimum of what you should do.” Why is the panel looking at the bare minimum and not the optimal?

Elizabeth Corwin, Tampa