Dear children, we have let you down. I know that apologies mean little. You deserve better. You deserve to live in a world that makes sense, in a world in which you feel secure and loved, and we have failed you. I ask that you not accept my apology. Instead, hold me and all of the other grown-ups accountable for our apathy and inaction. We let this happen, and we are gutted and heartbroken for you. I promise to do better. We all must do better.
Dan WeintraubMeriden
The Limits of Our Greatness
With all due respect to my friend George Lightbody’s laudable attempt to rebut the Trump campaign’s “Make America Great Again” tagline, I’m afraid that he has missed the mark (“As It Happens, the U.S. Is Already Great,” Nov. 6).
He well documents how the United States has translated its economic might to global dominance in language, technology, currency and culture. Indeed, the U.S. outperforms the world with respect to generation of wealth, and utilizing that wealth for philanthropy and security, including international aid and defense funding. Through that lens, it was easy to characterize Trump’s campaign as stoking unfounded fears.
But the reason for individuals to organize into societies is to advance their health and well-being. In 2000, the World Health Organization ranked the U.S. 37th — 37th! — in the world for health outcomes such as infant mortality, mortality from other illnesses amenable to medical care, and life expectancy. The trend lines since then are largely unchanged.
Despite the greatness of our institutions of higher learning, American children consistently lag behind the rest of the world in elementary and secondary education. Because of this, the future will not be nearly as bright as the past supposedly was. Both of these travesties can be traced directly to the persistence and prevalence of poverty in this land of plenty. Any society that tolerates, much less perpetuates, such income inequality cannot be considered great.
Bernie Sanders’ backers got this, as, I suspect, do some of Donald Trump’s non-deplorable supporters.
Keith LoudNorwich
Learn to Tighten Up Your Home
Winter is approaching. Is your house ready? Whatever the price of heating your house, every gallon you save is money in your pocket. If you have often thought about sealing the house, but are not sure how to do this, we have an event for you.
The Hartford Energy Commission is bringing a tractor-trailer-size version of the inside of a house to the Hartford transfer station. You can come inside the trailer and watch an energy expert seal the house. The attic and basement, the two most important spaces for air leaks, are shown in the trailer along with regular living space. Also, literature will be available to take home to help you with your own projects.
The event is Saturday from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the transfer station on Route 5 south. This free event is part of Vermont’s Button Up Day.
If you can’t attend in Hartford, Woodstock will host the trailer from noon to 3 p.m. at Town Hall.
Lynn Bohi, Hartford Energy CommissionHartford
Don’t Steal Our Signs
With this election over, this is a plea for future elections. However strongly you may feel about the opposition candidate, removing every sign on the streets for their campaign does nothing to promote the positive aspects of the candidate whose signs remain.
Here in Grantham, someone has consistently come out at night and stolen every Democratic street sign. This has happened for several election cycles now. Surely there are more positive ways to support your Republican campaign?
Elizabeth KnoxGrantham
When People Work Together
I would like to say thank you to the Mascoma community that came out on a very cold and rainy Saturday recently to help the class of 2018 with their “Stuff the Bus” community service project. The class decided to do this to help out the Canaan and Enfield Pantries, Mascoma High School Food Pantry (all sponsored by Friends of Mascoma), the Honor Society’s Thanksgiving dinners and Kaylee Felix’s Thanksgiving dinners (70 dinners in all).
It was an amazing experience to spend the day with this class and watch the caring community come out and fill up the bus. By the end of the day, they had more than 1,600 pounds donated. I have never been more proud to be a member of this small community than I was on this day; you all showed what can be accomplished in a small town when we all work together.
Michelle MonfetteCanaan