Daily e-Edition
Evening e-Edition
Sign up for email newsletters
Sign up for email newsletters
Daily e-Edition
Evening e-Edition
Trending:
I agree with much of David Bear’s guest column, “Tallahassee Republicans have forgotten their principles” (Nov. 2). Where I disagree is with the notion that these principles are “conservative.” I say these are American values.
“Local control … is a fundamental principle of good government” makes sense to me, a staunch progressive. Conservatives say they believe in Christian values; I would say that many of these are also American values. Being raised a Methodist, I believe in “do unto others as you would have them do unto you” and “whatever you have done to the least of these … you have also done to me.” These are values of compassion for our fellow man, whether they be conservative or liberal, native or immigrant, rich or poor. Compassion is an American value.
And now our federal government, run by Republicans, is in a shutdown, largely due to funding being denied for health insurance premiums and for food for the needy, a failure of compassion.
American values also include following the Constitution. Regrettably, our current administration seems to be disregarding and attempting to destroy the principles of the rule of law, co-equal branches of governance, the posse comitatus act, free and fair elections and rights to due process.
These are not conservative or liberal values, these are American values. The value they like is power and absolute power corrupts absolutely!
Glen Kendrick Orlando
Several Florida state officials, including Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson and Attorney General James Uthmeier, have publicly criticized the use of taxpayer-funded school vouchers for Islamic schools, citing concerns about Sharia law and Western values.
As Americans and Floridians we have all known and agreed that seriously different religions are practiced here. Religious freedom in America is a constitutional right, one that extends to Florida. Unless they were recently struck by lightning, why do these public officials think they can claim the authority, the right, to decide which religious groups gets public money to operate a religious school? Public funds should go public schools and not be used for religious indoctrination therein. Nevertheless, in deference to the faith communities among us, if tax dollars are spent on religious schools, it should be done equitably. The simple fact that some folks prefer one faith over another can never be justification for religious discrimination.
There is not now, nor has there ever been, the slightest threat of Sharia law being a reality here. Contrary to their assertions, our Western values have led us to legislation and Supreme Court decisions expressly outlawing religious discrimination. If there is another reasonable assessment of their comments I hope someone will fill in the gaps. These public officials should be replaced for their comments. Unless it means each and all of us share the same freedoms, the motto “Free State of Florida” is a lie.
Bob Brooks DeLand
The Sentinel’s article “‘Anti-communism’ curriculum criticized as propaganda” (Oct. 28) is correct. The reason is that there has been no example of actual communism at a national level to discuss.
In most every case where the workers have risen, as Karl Marx supposed, the effort has been hijacked and forcibly turned into an oligarchy headed by a brutal dictator.
The propaganda is meant to familiarize and equate communism with (gasp) socialism.
The problem we face, in my view, is a wannabe dictator as president chipping away at and ignoring the Constitution. The goal appears to be the ruler of an oligarchy in the manner of his pal and role model Vladimir Putin.
James Weatherspoon St. Cloud
You can submit a letter to the editor by sending it by email to insight@orlandosentinel.com or by filling out the form below. Letters are limited to less than 250 words and must be signed (no pseudonyms nor initials).You must include your email address, address with city and daytime phone number for verification. Letters are subject to editing for clarity and length.
Go back
Copyright © 2025 Orlando Sentinel
