In the comic strip Dilbert on May 17, the character worries that if his company gets involved in controversial politics, it will cause a huge drop in the stock price. That concern describes perfectly one of the main reasons that H.R. 1 has not yet been approved by the U.S. Senate.
H.R. 1, the For the People Act, is best known for its proposed reversal of GOP efforts in many states to make it harder to vote. But it would also require public identification of large political donors — corporations and individuals — who launder their contributions through nonprofit groups and shell companies to keep them secret. During the 2020 election cycle, these “dark money” donations reportedly totaled more than $1 billion.
This provision is fiercely opposed by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and others, both Republicans and Democrats, who claim that it would make it harder for Americans to exercise their constitutional rights of free expression and association. But that is true only for those who lack the courage of their convictions, and who refuse to stand up publicly and say what they believe. Like Pontius Pilate, they are avid to promote government policies that benefit them, but eager to avoid accountability.
James Madison reminded us that “a people who mean to be their own governors, must arm themselves with the power knowledge gives.” We cannot pretend that our government represents us — that we are a true democracy — without knowing who is trying to influence our elected representatives.
STEPHEN DYCUS
Strafford
I felt outrage when reading of the decision by the Lebanon Board of Cemetery Trustees to impose a five-year moratorium on green burial (“ ‘Green burials’ tangled in red tape,” May 13). Part of my reaction was a rekindling of the outrage I experienced reading Jessica Mitford’s The American Way of Death many years ago as it detailed the shameless abuses in the funeral home and interment industries. Exploiting grieving family members for gaudy profit has long been the norm in America. In green burial, some local costs at a burial site for digging and maintenance might be a bit more than conventional burial, but there is no need to pay for embalming and heavy, expensive coffins, both of which involve toxic processes (as does cremation).
The other sources of my outrage involve the stubborn resistance to more ecological alternatives in general, as well as the municipal know-nothingness and arbitrary misuse of power disguised as rulemaking. Please allow the important work of green burial advocates to proceed with enlightened municipal support.
BRUCE L. LEVINE
West Lebanon
Israel certainly has a right to defend itself as Hamas terrorists in Gaza have launched more than 3,000 rockets toward Israeli cities over the past weeks. But Israel does not have the right to deny Palestinians basic human rights. Denying them full citizenship, oppressing them, evicting them from homes they’ve lived in for more than half a century in order to make room for Israeli settlers — these are unacceptable, inhumane, racist practices.
The U.S. needs to do more than affirm Israel’s right to defend itself and call for a cease-fire. The U.S. must pressure Israel to implement a clear path to full human rights for Palestinians. The horrendous deaths of innocent children and civilians must stop and respect for the full humanity of all peoples must be restored.
DAVID ALLEN
White River Junction