Social media, bribes and 'serious' politicians

Letter to the editor
| Springfield News Leader

The dangers of social media cannot be ignored

I want to give a shout out to Deb Schmill, who wrote about Becca Schmilland talked about the dangers of social media for children. It’s so sad. Most parents want to see their children grow up to be happy and healthy. It seems that social media is destroying their self-esteem and can ruin their lives. Facebook should care about safety and our youth. Our country has failed our children with school shootings, and social media is another evil outlet.

I would urge parents to block all social media.

Jennifer Rule, Springfield

If politicians accept bribes, the timing should not matter

Bribery should be illegal regardless of when the exchange takes place.

Recently the US Supreme Court ruled that bribery is legal If and when a politician accepts a “mark of appreciation” for a deed done for someone’s (or a company’s) benefit as long as there was no discussion or exchange of that gift before the act was performed. SCOTUS overturned the conviction of an Indiana mayor for just that: he received $13,000 from a sanitation company that was awarded a $1 million contract.

Rep. Jeff Jackson (D-NC), has authored a bill to close the loophole. He will have to wait and see if Speaker Johnson will call it to the floor for a vote, which Speaker Johnson will only do if he knows he has the support of the majority party, the Republicans. Doesn’t it seem like something so ethical should have broad bipartisan support? Ask yourself why no member of Congress would support closing a loophole that allows bribery.

I would urge everyone to put Rep. Burlison on the record as to whether he would vote for rep. Jackson’s bill. If he wouldn’t support that bill or doesn’t take the time to get back to you, well then he might not be your guy in November.

Missi Hesketh, Forsyth, is the Democratic candidate for US Congress, Missouri 7th District

Who is serious enough for the Oval Office?

I recently read a letter to the editor suggesting that Kamala Harris was not “serious” enough to protect the United States from foreign adversaries. I accept that, and other comments in the letter. First, the author takes a swipe at the Biden administration as “full of incompetent political hacks” and suggests it could be worse under President Harris. He made these allegations without naming a single person and without citing a single instance of incompetence. Secretary of State Blinken has done remarkable work to reengage our NATO allies, while Secretary of Transportation Buttigieg has administered the largest infrastructure investment in roads and bridges in our nation’s history.

I will point out that none of Biden’s cabinet members or advisers have resigned in disgrace or been convicted of a crime. That cannot be said about the Trump administration. Trump’s national security adviser lasted 37 days before he was fired and later pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI. The list of criminals in and around the Trump White House is impressive. Paul Manafort, Rick Gates, Steve Bannon, Peter Navarro, Roger Stone, Kenneth Chesebro are just a few who were either found guilty or pleaded guilty to crimes committed during their tenure in the Trump administration. Cabinet members Pruitt, Ross, Zinke and Price resigned in disgrace.

Is Trump really a serious candidate when he lies about a helicopter crash with Willie Brown that never happened or when he brags to his adoring MAGA audience that he is prettier than Kamala Harris? Can you trust a candidate who says “vote for me this last time and you’ll never have to vote again”?

Kamala Harris is a former prosecutor, attorney general, and United States senator. She will not send love letters to the dictator of North Korea. She will not take Putin’s word over the word of US intelligence. And she won’t tell Putin to “do whatever the hell you want” to a NATO country unless it “pays off.”

However, I agree with one comment in the letter. The stakes are very high and your vote in November is crucial. Listen to Trump’s former defense secretary, Mark Esper, who said his former boss was a “threat to democracy” and Trump’s national security adviser, John Bolton, who said Trump was “unfit to be president.”

Kamala Harris is certainly serious enough for the job and far more qualified to keep America safe than the former president.

Rodney (Rod) E. Loomer, Springfield

Animals don’t get Labor Day off

Labor Day often brings to mind long weekends, barbecues and the end of summer. But it is also an opportunity to make compassionate choices. Every day, over 23 million land animals and 150 million marine animals are killed in the United States for food. The global figures are even more staggering. Choosing to eat animals, and their by-products, harms our health and contributes to the climate crisis.

This Labor Day, why not choose a cruelty-free celebration? Our daily dietary choices save the lives of thousands of animals every year. Plant-based burgers, hot dogs and hot dogs are widely available, and most sides are already vegan. Top off your meal with delicious dairy-free desserts.

Let’s celebrate a kinder, healthier holiday for everyone this year.

Sheldon Newman, Springfield

Social media, bribes and ‘serious’ politicians

Social media, bribes and ‘serious’ politicians

The dangers of social media cannot be ignored

If politicians accept bribes, the timing should not matter

Who is serious enough for the Oval Office?

Animals don’t get Labor Day off