To save democracy, vote defensively | Letters to the editor

“Democracy is on the ballot” is an oft-heard phrase. But those who say it, and the media covering them, don’t do a good job of explaining what this highfalutin phrase means, so here’s an attempt to fill the information gap.

Democracy is a system of government in which supreme power is vested in the people, exercised through elected representatives, with the emphasis on “the people.” It’s not hard to foresee the adverse, democracy-weakening effects of any or all of the following:

• Real threats to the fairness of future elections at local, state and federal levels (look at the trend in voter-suppression laws since 2016).
• Heightened attacks on freedom of the press, using federal power (investigations, tax audits, changes to libel and defamation laws) to suppress or unduly influence the information available to voters.
• A widening gap between what the people want and what government delivers. Think reasonable gun control, abortion rights, progressive tax policies and better environmental protections.

There’s more, but if readers don’t get the point by now, there’s not much more to say. The antidote lies in the power of the people to vote, a power we still possess but must protect.

This is a time for defensive voting, to help ensure survival of our fragile democracy, even if it means voting for a less-than-ideal candidate. Then voting in 2028 can return to normal choices between candidates who at least support and don’t threaten democracy. That’s what is on the ballot.

David Feller, Boynton Beach

Not in Israel’s interests

It’s very important to make the distinction that criticism of Benjamin Netanyahu and his extremist, far-right government is not antisemitism.

As a long-time supporter of Israel, I can state positively that the Netanyahu government is counterproductive to the state of Israel. The arrogance and brutality of Netanyahu’s IDF is creating far more terrorists than it is killing, and Israel’s reputation is being trashed worldwide.

The only solution that will bring long-term peace to Israel is a two-state solution, which Netanyahu has said he will never accept.

Netanyahu has to go. Saying so is not antisemitic — it is pro-Israel.

Frederick Mitchel, Fort Lauderdale

In plain sight in Tamarac

Re: That foul smell in Tamarac isn’t the garbage, Editorial, May 30

Once again, Broward County’s inspector general seems to be on a weather-related siesta, even though high temperatures and humidity create an unholy stench.

Tamarac’s District 1 Commissioner Marlon Bolton is at it again, pillaging City Hall to further his political goals, this time by accepting large campaign contributions from Coastal Waste & Recycling, a bidder on the city’s garbage contract.

Zero ethics. No moral compass. Frankly, he has no familiarity with the word “integrity.” And the District Four commissioner, Kicia Daniel, is content to bathe in the water left in the wake of Bolton’s quixotic pursuit of making Tamarac his cashbox. I guess his pursuit of personal benefit from the “Shakedown Village” affair has not whetted his appetite nor opened Daniel’s eyes.

The watchdog of Broward County, whose entire portfolio is to ferret out dishonesty, has so far failed to act on what is in plain sight. I beseech Broward County Inspector General Carol J. Breece to wake up and smell the roses in Tamarac for once.

Barney M. Agate, Tamarac

A Bronx jeer

I recently watched Donald Trump’s rally and speech to a crowd in the Bronx.

I was raised there. These Bronx neighborhoods have not changed for the last 60 years. They were depressed then and are no better now.

A photo-op and rally won’t make a difference without concrete changes. Trump was president for four years. What programs did he provide to change these neighborhoods? His promises are no better than his predecessors.

Actions speak louder than words. The last four or five presidents said the same things over and over and nothing was done.

Leonard Farbowitz, Boca Raton