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Letters and feedback: June 21, 2018

Florida Today
Shown is a portion of a Nov. 6, 2016, letter from FBI director James Comey to Congress. In it, Comey tells Congress that a review of new Hillary Clinton emails has "not changed our conclusions" from earlier that year that she should not face charges.


Let's make education a priority

At a recent Florida summit sponsored by Mel Martin, 14th District Senate candidate, my eyes were opened to the myriad issues facing our education system.

I've read articles about the influx of money and status coming to Brevard when SpaceX builds their new rocket hangar, control tower and operations area at Kennedy Space Center. These additions will require people well skilled in the aerospace industry, but who is going to fill these jobs? Based on what I heard at the summit, odds are extremely low that anyone currently in the Brevard school system will be qualified to fill any of the positions. That is beyond unacceptable.

It's time our school system had a real shake-up. Brevard County teachers rank 30th among 66 school districts for salaries paid; Florida ranks 47th out of 50 states and Washington, D.C., according to a study from WalletHub, which analyzed factors including teacher salaries and pensions, turnover rates and public school spending. Discrepancies in benefits make a significant difference in take-home pay to the point where some teachers must take part-time jobs to make ends meet. Brevard County has some exceptional teachers, but they're working under extraordinarily difficult conditions.

When we go to the polls this year, we need to remember who was in charge in the state who could have made a difference — and those people need to find new jobs. Maybe then they'll understand the plight of the people who put them in office in the first place.

Christine Kane, Cocoa

No one has patent on patriotism

A recent letter writer complained about how awful Trump supporters are treated. She asked where the love was for "one who honors our country, our flag and our president." Excuse me, ma'am, but everyone who speaks out against Trump does so because of the love of our country. How ironic that conservatives believe they and they alone have a patent on patriotism.

I do agree, though, that what is happening to our country is pathetic and sad. I don't hate Trump supporters, I pity them. I feel for people who either don't care or don't know that supporting this administration is aiding in the dismantling of our country's ideals.

Hypocrisy is accusing the left of lack of empathy, while supporting a man and an administration who are tearing children from their parents. Writing discrimination into legislation. Praising dictators who torture and kill their people and turning a blind eye to innocent children murdered in schools.

Yes, astounding levels of hypocrisy indeed.

Kerri Padegenis, Titusville