Copyright New York Daily News
Politics is turning our sense of purpose toxic Bloomington, Ind.: As our world grows more secular and less theological, many people are drifting from organized religion. Yet the impulse to believe in something larger than ourselves hasn’t vanished. We still crave meaning, moral certainty, and even the drama of good and evil. And so, in the absence of religion, we often turn to politics to fill that void. Politics now provides much of what religion once did: identity, ritual and moral narrative. It gives us saints and sinners, sacred texts and heresies, even a sense of salvation or damnation — depending on who wins the next election. With the help of social media, we sermonize in hashtags and psalms of outrage, baptizing ourselves in moral superiority while condemning the unconverted. Our chosen party becomes our church. We pledge allegiance to its doctrines and view dissenters not as opponents but as apostates. Nuance is shunned; compromise is blasphemy. Every issue is framed as a cosmic struggle between good and evil, light and darkness — with ourselves, conveniently, on the side of light. But when politics becomes religion, faith curdles into fanaticism. The goal is no longer to uplift society but to smite our ideological foes. Each side prays for the other’s failure, and progress becomes impossible. What remains is a kind of civic purgatory — endless conflict without redemption, where belief outpaces reason and zeal drowns out grace. Scott T. Thompson Can’t do it alone Floral City, Fla.: As a conservative Christian nationalist of senior years, I have noted a slow but steady erosion of morals and ethical righteousness over the past 60-70 years. To me, it wasn’t so evident until Bill Clinton’s presidential years. Following his eight years of sexual exploits, we got a weak Republican president whose only notable accomplishment was being in office during 9/11, then a Democratic president. Surprise! We then elected a businessman. He spent his first four years learning about “the swamp” of D.C. Following President Trump’s first term, America was dragged through four years of Joe Biden and his outlaw mob. Finally, America is blessed with a real president with determined fortitude to drain the swamp. But Trump can’t succeed alone, even with a courageous administration. He needs our help, patriots. We must speak out for moral and ethical righteousness in all sectors. Fred A. Stock War on the poor Dayton, Ohio: New York Attorney General Letitia James writes, “This month, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that it would suspend Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, a program that helps more than 40 million Americans, including nearly three million New Yorkers, put food on the table each month” (“Washington’s cruelty risks starving our children,” op-ed, Oct. 30). This suspension was done solely because Trump believes that the poor are poor because they deserve to be, and are therefore unworthy of any assistance. Like most of Trump’s beliefs, it is dead wrong, but the Republican-controlled Congress and the right-wing Supreme Court do nothing to correct his wrongs. We have an opportunity for a course correction in November 2026 if we are smart enough to take it. Vic Presutti Cowards in command Hamilton Square, N.J.: We have a draft-dodging president and the most unqualified secretary of “war” preaching to our military. They were upset that the brass didn’t clap for them. They’re lucky the generals didn’t laugh or even boo their idiotic babble. Eileen Johnson Poignant play Dix Hills, L.I.: I went to the theater on Wednesday to see “The Queen of Versailles.” I went with great skepticism, first because I am not a super fan of musicals, and second because I am vaguely familiar with the storyline behind the show. I couldn’t have been more wrong. This show is fantastic. The messaging is so timely and on point in relating to our national situation — and more importantly, with respect to personal and social behavior — that anyone who can should try to see it. My hat is off to Kristin Chenoweth and the entire cast, writers and producers who were brave enough to bring this show to Broadway. They’ve managed to present and set to music many of the essential lessons everyone should learn to live by, maybe just a little. Barbara Lorge Antennae up Brooklyn: Pay close attention to the NYC mayoral race. Remember that radical is not liberal. Be very careful. Mariann Tepedino Solid record Hillsdale, N.Y.: It appears to me that some politicians and New Yorkers have been exposed to too many pot fumes that might have distorted logical thinking with their choice for mayor. I believe that of the three main candidates, only one would qualify as a decent one. The other two candidates raise questions as to whether they can serve the needs of New Yorkers. The first candidate promises free bus rides and other goodies at the expense of taxpayers, since nothing is free, while the other candidate never completed his term as governor for whatever reason, which is not a positive factor on his resume. I guess that leaves Curtis Sliwa, who at least walks the walk and protected subway passengers on his dime when he formed the Guardian Angels. Oh, and lack of experience is not a valid reason, because experienced politicians have made a mess of things in the past. Phil Antico True blue Bronx: As a lifelong Democrat, I can see the cause for division as the socialist Democrats try to take over the party but only succeed in one thing — fueling the Republicans as a choice for the future of the middle class. It’s obvious that so many are upset at the direction of the party, but I’ll fight to save the liberal, accepting party I grew up with. Zohran Mamdani is dangerous for NYC. It’s where money is made and people prosper, but if they leave, it will be dangerous. He has caused division and made racist and antisemitic statements. He also made many deplorable remarks about police and safety, and now tries to say they aren’t true. Andrew Cuomo has done so much good for N.Y. I hear about a couple of mishaps he made in office, but that would be a given, as he served N.Y. for many years. Maurice DePalo Bus budgets Manhattan: Assuming Mamdani does not expect bus drivers to work for free, he has yet to lay out a plan for how he will pay them when bus rides are free. Nor does he have a plan for all the new buses that will need to be purchased to accommodate the inevitable flood of additional riders. Also desperately missing is any consideration of how free buses will send subway traffic plunging and worsen the problems that our financially troubled subway system already faces as fares cover less than half of operating expenses. A vote for Mamdani is a vote for the tooth fairy. Alan Grassley First of many Clearwater, Fla.: If Mamdani becomes the next mayor of New York City, he will pave the way for others like him to pop up in cities all across the United States. Mamdani hates Israel, all Jews and America, just as Reps. Rashida Tlaib and Ilhan Omar do. As more Islamic terrorists infiltrate our government, the end of America as we know it will be the result. The enemy within is more dangerous than Russia, China and North Korea. Their mission is to destroy America. Let’s hope that NYC votes smart. JoAnn Lee Frank Do your homework Brooklyn: The Teacher Retirement System is currently mailing out letters to retired pedagogues asking them to provide proof that they are living. Dear TRS: Years ago, a law was enacted requiring funeral parlors to notify Social Security when a person passes on. Therefore, instead of harassing seniors with these letters, establish a link with the Social Security Administration to obtain this information. You would not have to bother seniors who are hospitalized, in nursing homes or are afflicted with dementia or Alzheimer’s. The letter states that if no reply is received, pension payments shall be suspended. Where is the United Federation of Teachers in this matter? As always, out to lunch or trying to shove all retired city workers into an inferior Medicare Advantage plan, or campaigning to elect a bigot as our next mayor. Ed Greenspan
