Looking at what is happening in our country today in the fight against COVID-19, federalism is an interesting subject to delve into.
When our Founding Fathers wrote the Constitution they specifically left any issue not stated in the Constitution to come under the purview of state governments. Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution does not grant unlimited power to Congress, which by implication leaves all remaining power to the states. The 10th Amendment left all power not delegated to the federal government to the states and the people.
With the onset of COVID-19, we should be seeing a distribution of efforts in the attempt to eradicate this disease, but what I am seeing is a vast effort to lay most of the responsibility at the feet of the federal government and protests against state government efforts. The federal government should allow each state to control its response on a more local level and stay out of the day-to-day response. State governments should control their response according to the needs of their state utilizing the resources of local governments. Any failure in response is the failure of all levels of government. Any success is the success of all.
With a rush to success, errors are made by all. It appears that our thirst to throw money at issues has gotten completely out of hand. Folks whose incomes are not affected are getting checks. Organizations with deep pockets are getting unneeded cash. All while local governments are fighting to feed people and support the basic needs of their communities. Why? I believe this is due to folks allowing the federal government to control more and more of their daily lives.
Wouldn’t we be better served if the federal government spent time looking at those things that affect the nation as a whole and let state and local governments determine what the needs of their citizens are?
BRUCE ST. PETER
Grantham
I have been thinking about Jonathan Stableford’s Perspectives column of April 19 (“The more things change, the more they stay the same”). Though his solace in nature during the pandemic and trust that it will always be there is comforting, there is a flip side. Nature is not missing us. With human activity halted so is pollution output: The air is sweeter, the waters more clear. While humans shelter indoors, wildlife has rebounded and returned to its former, larger range.
The outdoor world simply does not need us nearly as much as humans need it. We have forced it to bend to our wants for too long, and nature is fighting back. The rise of the novel coronavirus itself is an example of that, as are more frequent weather disasters, uncontrollable wildfires, disrupted agricultural cycles — oh so many warnings, if we would only see.
After the quarantine, I hope humans will not only find relief in returning to nature, but also stop taking it for granted. We must gather a collective resolve to renew our relationship to the Earth with the respect our only home deserves. As economic activity restarts, it must be remade to operate with fairness and regard for all humanity, our fellow living creatures and the shared environment.
Our trust in nature’s endurance is no longer enough. We’re all on this planet together, so please, let’s get started and take care of it.
GRETCHEN GRANER
South Strafford
OK, so where are the masks? On a trip to the pharmacy, post office and market recently — the only three places I have been for weeks now — I saw only two people wearing them.
Now, with the loosening of restrictions and the level of denial and self-centeredness I have witnessed, I can see the rules all dissolving quickly. I, for one, am afraid.
We have a very uninformed and self-righteous role model leading us down the path of “me-me-me.” But we also have an informed, dignified, trustworthy and positive role model, Dr. Anthony Fauci, who is leading us in a safe, step-by-step manner toward probable recovery. So why, folks, do we follow the fool?
SHEILA KIRBY
Reading
My 2-year-old daughter and I used to stop by the Sharon General Store often enough to know that it is what made Sharon, well, Sharon. From its hardwood floors to the beaming smiles of the staff in the deli department, we would look forward to the down-to-earth, good old-fashioned country kindness of this store. The former owners even offered to give us their leftover meals if we were in need.
Now, that friendly, “we want to know you and really care how you are doing” vibe has been replaced with aloofness and disconnect. The new owner is not the problem. It’s just that, what was the heartbeat of Sharon is gone. I didn’t realize, as a former big city gal, how much I would miss the genuine smiles and the people who would go the extra mile to help out customers they barely knew.
Unfortunately, Sharon is no longer unique. Fortunately, we got to experience the town’s flavor through the Sharon General Store before it was too late.
VALERIE PARAUKA
Sharon
I am not writing to complain about anything. Instead, I am writing to compliment the Co-op Food Stores, especially its employees. We are all under so much stress now, especially those of us in the coronavirus target area: over age 65. However, even though the Co-op employees are amid many stressed and short-tempered people, they remain helpful, respectful, patient and kind. Don’t ask me how they do it because I certainly could not.
While there is currently plenty to complain about, there is also much to be grateful for. Thank you, Co-op employees, for making my stressful grocery trips less so. I send all of you my gratitude for the wonderful job you do every single day.
HILARY PLATT
Meriden