Readers react to voters' preferences

It is important for voters to see the other side’s thoughts and reasoning [“Readers say who they’ll vote for — and why,” Opinion, Oct. 20-21]. Too often, we can all fall victim to only reading and watching the news we like.

I have read all the letters on voting from Newsday readers, and my sense is that some voters are choosing a candidate that suits their personal issues while others see the bigger picture and are choosing a candidate that is best for many people — both domestic and international.

What is best for the most people is low inflation, low crime, safe borders and our allies not suffering through new endless wars.

It is a tough world out there, and it always has been. That’s why strong leadership is needed. In this election, we are fortunate to have records for both, not just promises, to make our choice.

— Bob Lehmann, Kings Park

Thank you, Christopher Reilly, for expressing your view on integrity in voting “My conundrum: Neither is qualified,” Opinion, Oct. 21]. I am 84 and have never questioned my voting choice until this year. Your words gave purpose and intent to my exact feelings of rationalizing my own integrity.

— Kathleen O’Neill, Aquebogue

It seems as though the supporters of former President Donald Trump like his policies and past record as president. They also seem to agree that his personal life and manners don’t matter. They like what he stands for. As one writer said on Oct. 20, “I don’t have to live with him!”

Vice President Kamala Harris’ supporters just like her and think she would do well. Nothing specific. And then there are those who will vote for her just because she’s a woman. This is sad.

— Judy Riccuiti, Farmingdale

Frank M. Marlow’s Oct. 20 letter of support for Donald Trump is mostly a critique of President Joe Biden’s administration. The writer blames it for the withdrawal from Afghanistan. As a Vietnam veteran, I see many parallels with the sudden collapse of both countries.

Both Trump and President Richard Nixon seemed to be more interested in avoiding losing the war before their second-term election than saving the legitimate governments. Trump negotiated directly with the Taliban, excluding the democratically elected government. He forced the Afghanistan government to release 5,000 Taliban prisoners.

Trump further agreed to a full drawdown of U.S. troops if the Taliban stopped attacking U.S. soldiers. As a result, our troops were forced to sit idly by while the Taliban quietly took over 75% of the country before Trump left office. This made more likely the swift collapse of the Afghanistan government when the Taliban entered Kabul without resistance.

Trump left office with only 2,000 American troops there. He implemented no plan to extract our Afghan allies and no drawdown of equipment, most of which was to be left to the Afghans.

— Phil Heckler, Hicksville

Readers articulated well Kamala Harris’ stand on several issues, including her intention to sign the bipartisan border security bill and work to secure women’s health care rights. However, the economy needs to be addressed. Most people are suffering from the high prices of goods and services.

When Donald Trump took office in 2016, former President Barack Obama had left him a good economy after having saved the country from the 2008 recession. Then COVID-19 hit. People were dying. Supply-chain issues caused a marked rise in prices. Since then, Joe Biden’s administration has grown the economy.

When the supply chain improved, prices remained high. A main reason is corporate greed. The federal government cannot force businesses to lower prices to pre-pandemic levels. And because climate change has produced catastrophic weather events, insurance companies have raised their rates so we pay for claims while they still make a profit. Harris has said she will go after price gougers.

I think the choice comes down to who we are as a people. We have a voice; it’s called our vote.

— Susan Scalone, Shoreham

I am 82 and already voted for Kamala Harris. While I have been a lifelong Democrat, I voted for her to assure that women in America have the same full rights as men. There are no laws that I am aware of that in any way impact a man’s ability to have full medical care when needed. This is no longer the case for American women in many states.

Reproductive health care, including abortion, is a significant part of women’s health care. Pregnancies can have many complications such as an ectopic pregnancy, where termination of the pregnancy is lifesaving.

But now we have women dying from pregnancy complications because many states outlaw the medical care these women need. I have daughters and granddaughters. Women must have full rights over their bodies.

— Judy Angelbeck, Huntington Station