Cruelty capitalismOne issue Democrats or Republicans could make headway in Florida is on unemployment benefits. I was laid off from a job in which I made $65,000 a year, yet I am eligible for a maximum of $275 a week of unemployment. That only lasts 12 weeks and comes out to $1,100 a month.New York is capped at $500 a week, which is nearly double our limit, with eligibility to collect up to 26 weeks. This is much fairer.According to Redfin, the median rent in Florida is $1,917, while the median rent in Miami is $3,350.Obviously, individuals need to save money for a rainy day while they are working, but we also need to fund a larger social safety net.Mark Abell,DoralLies about HaitiansI worked for more than 25 years with a local international Christian charity and traveled to Haiti often. It broke my heart to see the poverty and suffering but the country’s natural beauty and the beautiful spirit of the people filled my heart with joy.I have many Haitian friends here and in Haiti. The anti-Haitian vitriol we hear is not only hurtful but also dangerous. Yes, we have freedom of speech, but we should not tell cruel and bigoted lies.Nancy Clarke-Fenner,SunriseHalt the negativityIn July, a sniper attempted to assassinate former President Donald Trump. On Sunday, another sniper apparently tried to kill Trump at his Palm Beach golf course.The time has come for Democrats and the news media to stop the rhetoric implying Trump will become a dictator if or when he is elected president. All this negative talk only brings out the worst in the crazy people in this society.We must step back and let the election decide who will be the next president. Trump is a human being trying to do what is best for our country. He is a true patriot and wants to Make America Great Again. Therefore, let us all stop and think before speaking so negatively about him. Let your voice be heard at the polls.Carole Phillips,Palmetto BayWe built this cityThe idea that any of the recent City of Miami commissioners could have a successful run for mayor would be laughable if there wasn’t a realistic chance that one of them might actually get elected. Thankfully, most voters weren’t duped into thinking a “strong mayor” would be a good idea.Next year, citizens will need to vote as if the future of the city depends on it.Daniel Hernandez,MiamiWrong expertsRe: the Sept. 15 Herald story, “Tyreek Hill and officer who detained him may have both broken the law, legal experts say.” Who are the three or so “legal experts” the Herald sited?Defense attorneys. Wow. As a retired law enforcement officer and a huge Miami Dolphins fan (and a huge fan of Hill), I could not be more insulted.How about getting the opinions of real “officials?” How about the opinions of any officer who stops a vehicle, tickets the driver and goes home at the end of the day without being shot?Kevin Pedersen,Palmetto BayMaking senseIn Bea Hines’ brilliant Sept. 15 Miami Herald Neighbors opinion regarding Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill’s recent run-in with police, she refers to “The Talk,” instructions many Black parents provide their children on “surviving” when stopped by a (white) policeman.While it is a far bigger issue among Black communities, this is a conversation that white parents (and grandparents) should also have with their children (and grandchildren). It comes down to respect on both sides, the price of which is minimal, but the cost of disrespect can be major.My father often told the story of the Boston Police strike of 1919 when he was 11 years old. He remembers standing on the roof of my grandfather’s business, watching marauding mobs a few blocks away breaking into other stores. While we were growing up, he often preached that only the police stand between those mobs and us.Police have an extremely tough job, given some civilians who insist that common sense rules or legislative laws, no matter how trivial or significant, don’t apply to them.Are there “bad” police?Sure, but there are also “bad” people among every societal group.Richard Pober,Palmetto BayVilifying HaitiansThe Haitian American experience in Miami comes to mind amid the cesspool of hate spewed by radicals. Donald Trump’s harsh words about the Haitian community will likely result in retaliation against immigrant communities in Springfield, Ohio, and elsewhere. From what I have read — and based on personal experience — Haitian immigrants are, on the whole, hardworking people less likely than others to commit crimes.The Haitian neighborhood in Miami where I went to high school was safer than other impoverished areas. Many of my Haitian and Bahamian American classmates became successful, some are leaders in Miami-Dade County. The hardworking nature of Haitian immigrants has even led some businesses to encourage their workers to recruit others within their community.For political leaders demonize that community as a way to appeal to the most deplorable wing of their base is a terrible injustice and a step backward for our entire society.Gary Costales,MiamiStrategic planPresidential debates are uninformative because they lack structure. Candidates have used the forum to criticize their opponents and to make ridiculous promises lacking substance. Moderators, in turn, have failed to ask about critical issues.Americans would be better served if each presidential candidate were required to complete a four-year business plan outlining his/her proposed policies. This plan should include, at a minimum, a cost-benefit analysis; each policy’s impact on the national debt, inflation, foreign wars, etc.; and implementation (excluding Executive Orders). Each candidate can then be required to defend his/her plan in a debate moderated by respected businesspersons selected at random by an objective process. This would help eliminate the potential for bias in the media.This two-fold approach — a plan that provides substantive information and a debate showing the candidates’ skills — would help Americans make an informed decision. Most importantly, this forum would minimize opportunities for drama and pettiness.Fleta Stamen,MiamiSteamy SeptemberLike many people in Miami, I love to spend time outdoors nearly year-round, enjoying our county and state parks. But it seems like every year, it gets increasingly unsafe to do so. Mid-September is a time of year I normally spend much time outdoors watching bird migrations.The high heat and humidity has literally made it dangerous to plan a long morning of birding. Even the birds don’t seem any more enthusiastic about the conditions. I had to cut my morning short this past weekend because of a high heat advisory that impacted most of southeast Florida. It shouldn’t be this way.We can reclaim our summers, but we need our elected officials to act quickly. This November, I’ll be paying close attention to which candidates have a concrete plan to address climate change and vote for them.Steffanie Munguia,HomesteadHostile stateMany adjectives can describe Florida’s state government. “Compassionate” does not fit.The state’s governing body has no regard for those who are mentally ill, homeless, migrants, those who are marginalized, the many who are incarcerated and their families. Most prisoners suffer from severe mental illness. Florida has the audacity to use the word “corrections” for jails and prisons.Are not all of Florida’s residents people who have the right to be treated as human beings? Does the buck stop with Gov. DeSantis?Jerry Marcus,Coral Gables View comments
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