We need a proven leader in Senate
Editor: Thanks to the hard work of grassroots activists pushing to lower out-of-control prescription drug costs, provisions in the recently passed Inflation Reduction Act will empower Medicare to negotiate lower drug prices and cap annual drug expenses for seniors.
Unfortunately, Republican extremists in Congress blocked the $35 cap on the cost of insulin from covering all Americans, allowing only government health plans like Medicare to have the new cost limit. Republicans are now working to completely roll back all of the lower drug pricing provisions in the Inflation Reduction Act.
Florida Senator Marco Rubio’s new bill is called the “Protecting Drug Innovation Act” and if passed, this Big Pharma-backed bill would mean that Americans continue to pay excessively high drug prices indefinitely. This is completely out of touch with what the American people want.
Rubio also co-sponsored a national ban on reproductive rights, and he personally wants no exceptions for rape or incest. How can forcing a 10-year-old to carry a child conceived by rape be acceptable?
Rubio went to D.C. promising to tackle the immigration issue and he has done nothing except support family separation and cruel treatment of asylum seekers who come to our border.
He now tells us he wants to eliminate Social Security and Medicare because “they weaken us as a people.”
It’s time to elect as senator a proven leader like Val Demings who will look out for our interests and not those of special interests.
Kathleen Davey, Punta Gorda
Democrats keeping us from Britain’s mistakes
Editor: Boris Johnson and Brexit were seen as signals of what was coming in the United States with Trump and MAGA. Fortunately, the U.S. turned things around in 2020 with the defeat of Trump and his MAGA trickledown economics. If we hadn’t rejected Trump’s dangerous antics and MAGA platform, we would be where Great Britain is today with revolving leadership doors, sagging currency, rising mortgage rates, severe labor shortages and higher inflation than any other G7 country.
Today’s Great Britain resulted from extreme right wing politics based on corporate welfare and isolationism. Trickle down has never worked and radical isolationism leads to limited markets and critical labor shortages.
Look at the United States by comparison. Yes, due to COVID and the war in Ukraine, we have inflation at the moment. But, we also are experiencing historic economic recovery with a greatly reduced deficit. Because of our COVID efforts and the American Rescue Plan, led by President Biden and Democrats in Congress, people were able to stay healthy, keep their homes, and have good jobs.
Look around locally after Hurricane Ian. It is federal funding that is providing us with relief and a state budget surplus. It is immigrant workers who are critical in helping us rebuild.
The British may not have another general election to turn things around until 2025. We have an election coming up in just a few weeks. Let’s elect Democratic candidates who will help the United States stay the course to a strong economy for all.
Kay Blue, Punta Gorda
Republicans are living in fantasy world
Editor: I am always amazed to read about the fantasy world of the modern Republican. Their last president tried to overthrow the government of the United States, stole government documents, spouted lie after lie during his entire presidency, and Republicans believed every one of them like they were holy scripture. Apparently they lose sleep night after night worrying about Hunter Biden’s lap top.
Robert Schultz, Englewood
Let’s tell Steube: David can beat Goliath
Editor: The race for U.S. Congressional District seat 17 now held by Greg Steube, reminds me of the fable of David and Goliath.
Congressman Steube is so arrogant and convinced of sure victory in November — despite having done precious little to serve his constituents — that he refused to participate in an interview with editors of The Daily Sun. Steube’s underdog opponent, Andria Doria Kayle, participated in a Sun interview and thoughtfully responded to a wide range of questions. Voters can review Andria’s moderate perspectives by visiting www.andreadoriakale.com.
If Congressman Steube is so pleased with his performance as our congressman, why would he not talk to the press? What is this gun-toting, Second Amendment champion so afraid of ? The upcoming election is about way more than the issues we often consider when voting. While pocketbook issues like gas prices, inflation and interest rates, are all important things to consider, they pale in comparison to arrogant disregard for democracy shown by Steube.
This election let’s vote for underdogs like Andria Doria Kale and tell leaders like Steube what we think of their arrogant disregard for everyday citizens.
Bill Welsch, Punta Gorda
