I can understand the Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops sending out prayer cards opposing Amendment 4, the abortion rights amendment, to its worshippers.
But contributing $133,000 to a political action committee that opposes the amendment (Florida Voters Against Extremism) is going too far.
A church can certainly inform its members of its position on a political issue, but trying to make its position the law of the land is wrong. This nation is a melting pot, welcoming persons of different faiths, where no singular view is forced on everyone.
We often speak of the Judeo-Christian morals of our nation, but here, the Jewish point of view and Christian viewpoint differ.
Jews believe that life begins at birth and that prior to birth, the health of the mother is paramount.
This sincerely held Jewish belief is entitled to equal respect in the marketplace of ideas. Jews do not try to force their perspective onto the general population, and neither should the Catholic Church.
Dan Cook, Boca Raton
(Editor’s Note: The Archdiocese of Miami has also contributed $129,000 to Florida Voters Against Extremism).
Elites saving democracy
The latest letter to the editor from Ray Belongie of Sunrise, urging everybody to “vote blue to save our democracy,” is spot on.
Unless, of course, the Democratic National Committee decides to disenfranchise you, voids your vote, and installs whoever it decides should run for president.
We can’t leave “saving democracy” to the peons. The uninformed and unwashed masses might not get it right. Just leave that to the unelected, behind-the-scenes elites.
Mark Hoffman, Deerfield Beach
Trump and his tariffs
An integral part of Donald Trump’s economic plan — indeed, part of his basis for suggesting the income tax could be eliminated — is to place a 10% tariff on everything imported into the United States and impose an even higher tariff on all Chinese imports.
He frequently touts his claim that China paid billions to us from the tariffs he imposed during his presidency. It’s hard to believe that no one has told him how international trade works. He’s either terribly ill-informed or choses to intentionally deceive the voters.
Tariffs generate revenue for the U.S. treasury. But the question is, who pays the bill?
How it works: Upon entry in the U.S., the buyer or buyer’s representative pays the tariff. Think Walmart or Best Buy. A 10% tariff on them is equivalent to any 10% increase in costs. It’s factored into the prices paid by their customers. The result is an increase in retail prices.
When the importer is also the retailer (say, Walmart) there’s only one markup of the tariff-included cost of goods to generate a retail price. But when there’s an intermediate party, say, an importer who then sells to regional distributors or local retailers, there are one or two additional parties whose markups compound to generate further inflated prices.
It is surprising, and disappointing, that Trump’s distorted claims about tariffs are not immediately challenged by knowledgeable people.
American voters need to know the facts to evaluate a candidate’s claims, promises and overall credibility.
David Feller, Boynton Beach
Pot vs. alcohol
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is worried about legalized pot being all over the state.
He should be more worried about legalized AR-15s being all over the state. Marijuana can have the same regulations as alcohol, such as a ban on driving while impaired.
Mario Papalia, Margate
