Privatization wants what we, the public, have
Boynton Beach, Florida: Now that the MAGA Party has won the election and will take control of the legislative and executive functions of our government, we can look forward next year to a renewal of Republicans’ decades-long effort to reform our Social Security and Medicare privatize programs.
When Republicans, now MAGAs, talk about privatizing anything, it is an attempt to move government functions to the private sector, where workers’ wages and benefits can be reduced to a bare minimum and business leaders have free rein to to bully and intimidate people. to induce employees to work overtime without receiving appropriate compensation for the additional hours, i.e. overtime compensation. Donald J. Trump and Elon Musk heartily amused about not paying employees, along with other disparaging comments they made about union workers during their recent interview.
The Republican effort to privatize Social Security will shift that program to a 401(k) plan structure where companies will no longer be required to contribute money to fund workers’ retirement benefits. Corporate power has been seeking for years to abolish their 50% contribution to the employment tax on employees’ pension benefits. The employment tax is a tax that corporations must pay without the benefit of the countless credits and deductions that their expensive lawyers and lobbyists have baked into our federal income tax law to reduce their payments.
As for privatizing medical care outside of our Medicare system, we all know what a chaotic disaster the current private health care system in America has been for the average person. It’s coming, folks, and you heard it here, so brace yourselves. William T. Bredin
Here to collect
Scranton, Pa.: How would you like to pay for your loss of freedoms due to Project 2025? By Kash or Vivek? You Musk, make your choice. Vin Morabito
‘Free’ exchange
Utica, NY: It’s great that Syrians are celebrating their first taste of freedom after 55 years of living under an autocratic family ruled by fear. Meanwhile, Americans have decided that we don’t like the taste of freedom after all, so we now await the coronation of a leader who promises to limit freedom and rule through fear. What’s wrong with this photo? Jeff and Joan Ganeles
Rolling the prize dice
Ashburn, Virginia: It appears Trump is bluffing big time with his proposed tariffs. Even now, long before he comes to power, he can be seen negotiating with foreign leaders to gain foreign policy concessions while avoiding a tariff war. If it works, he will have great successes, but he is demanding many important changes from foreign governments. It could prove to be a bridge too far. If his gamble doesn’t work and we find ourselves in a major tariff war, those most affected will be Trump’s own supporters: working-class and rural Americans, who cannot sell their goods abroad and will lose out of price increases on the other side of the world. foreign goods such as fertilizers and imported consumer goods. And when that happens, pay attention! In the 2026 election, Trump’s supporters could be pushed out in favor of more moderate politicians. It’s not called gambling for nothing. You often lose. Mike Barrett
I have their man
Greenburgh, NY: In these difficult times when many people disagree with the government, it is appropriate to commend the NYPD and first responders across the country for their hard work and effective strategies that led to the arrest of Luigi Mangione , the suspect in the tragic murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. After the suspect escaped, the police showed us how great they are: they brought together all available resources, used the expertise of experts and showed teamwork. After the crime was committed, many people thought it would take a miracle to find the suspect. They succeeded and should be commended for a job well done. Jessica Tisch managed her first major crisis as commissioner of the NYPD. Paul Feiner
Losing our grip?
Bronx: Luigi Mangione’s murder of the personification of his hatred is disturbing on so many levels. A smart guy from a seemingly sane background somehow turns into a carefree criminal with a complaint and a gun. Unobtrusive social media users get all Robin Hood about a handsome psychopath who shares their attitude toward a flawed healthcare system. Brian Thompson’s ordeal is parodied on TV without regard to his family’s pain. I pray that we don’t slide further into a world of irrationality and distorted moral beliefs – driven by social media. Maria Bonsanti
Unimportant
Manhattan: To anyone clinging to Mayor Adams who is considering switching parties: He has always been a DINO – a Democrat in name only. Moreover, because the mayoral election is based on ranked choice, its degree of party affiliation is less important. Lee Levin
Stand down guy
Lima, Ohio: So, Leonard Greene (“He May Skate to Death,” column, December 8) armchair quarterbacks what Daniel Penny did? After you see someone threaten a woman and do nothing? I would always ride the subway with Penny instead of Greene. And I’d bet a million dollars that if something happened to one of Greene’s family members because he was on the subway at the wrong time, he’d be front and center on the news screaming for justice 24/7. Corlissa Arrick
Outspoken threat
East Meadow, LI: To commenter John Woodmaska: If you don’t think Jordan Neely did much more than beg, I think asking someone for money or food is like being in a closed room and someone yelling, “I’m going to kill.” Hopefully you never have to experience such a situation. Jeff Tuk
Never necessary
Woodside: I’ve been riding the NYC Transit system for over 50 years and have never killed anyone. If there was a disturbed person on the train, most people would move to another car. And I’ve never seen anyone killed on the train. Oh, I was in the military and went to Vietnam, so I don’t understand why this guy killed another transit rider. Richard Tobiassen
For lack of justice
Manhattan: Voicer Peter Janoff is on crack. No black person would have gone scot-free for killing a white man! And you know it! You just signed an order for white people to be completely incapacitated in a fight because now we know a white person will walk free. Wait for the response to this! Joseph Garrett
Forgiving family
Denver: From 1980 to 1983, as the owner and operator of a bar and liquor store in southeast Alabama, I had to call 911 only once. That Saturday afternoon, a large man hit a smaller customer. The police arrived and handcuffed the perpetrator. A few months later, I cried the loudest at that slacker’s funeral service because he had been shot in the heart outside a bar in Port Arthur, Texas. The slacker was my older brother, a Vietnam veteran, whom I had arrested. Now, 42 years later, I wonder if my 72-year-old heart would have shown him mercy as President Biden showed his son Hunter with complete grace. Ironically, my youngest son’s name is Hunter. Mike Sawyer
I saw that coming
Manhattan: Re the Hunter Biden pardon: Don’t tell me you’re surprised. Syd Molenaar
Special chairs
Brooklyn: Juan Soto was signed to a record-breaking contract by the Mets, much to the dismay of some Yankees fans. According to some reports, the deal was very “suite” – some reports claim that the deciding factor was the Mets giving Soto a suite for his family. The Yankees were reluctant at the idea of including a free suite for the Soto clan, which likely nullified their offer. Aaron Judge pays for his own suite and Derek Jeter paid for his during his playing days, which may have deterred them from further negotiations and their pursuit. Soto may also have chosen the other New York team because he didn’t appreciate being the second banana after the Yankees’ MVP. Goodbye, Soto. It’s good to know who you really are. Neil S. Friedman
Money pit
Brooklyn: I would like to say two words to all the Mets fans who are excited about Juan Soto becoming a Met: Bobby Bonilla. Steven Molenaar
