Copyright New York Post
The Issue: The Post’s editorial discussing the real reasons why Democrats shut the government down. Well, at least there’s a semblance of sanity returning to Capitol Hill with the longest shutdown in US history coming to an end and hopefully real soon (“Dems’ New Shutdown Meltdown,” Editorial, Nov. 11). Kudos to the eight Senate Democrats who crossed the aisle to get this country working again. Shame on all those out-of-touch Democrats who put their petty politics over hungry children, unpaid workers and stranded travelers. It’s time for Sen. Chuck Schumer and Rep. Hakeem Jeffries to exit their minority-leader positions. They gambled and lost. Out they should go. Sal Giarratani Boston, Mass. I’m an 88-year-old senior who always paid her taxes and was never on any sort of assistance from anyone. I also voted for President Barack Obama twice. But Obamacare has crippled people like me. Since it was implemented, my medical insurance has tripled. To the politicians who voted to shut down the government while getting paid and having the best health care plan in the country: Start working for everyone, not just your support base. You are certainly not the Democratic Party I once knew. P. Fletcher Massapequa Park This, the longest such shutdown in our history, was foolish and destructive in the extreme, a perfect metaphor for much of today’s politics. The ostensible reason Democrats gave for the shutdown — continued funding for COVID-era Obamacare subsidies — could not be passed in regular order, so Democrats decided to extort the GOP by shutting the government down. This is hardball politics gone rogue. Yet Republicans now have a role to play other than patting themselves on the back: finally put affordable and rational health care on their front burner. Paul Bloustein Cincinnati, Ohio Do you want to know the real reason why they’re re-opening the government? It’s because the Democrats didn’t want to take the heat for ruining Thanksgiving, which they seemingly have no problem doing. Mindy Rader New City The leftist Democrats want to hang a few moderates who voted to open the government. I thought it was the Republicans who closed down the government? I guess the leftists and the media are just lying again. Bruce Collins Middletown, NJ The Issue: The death of FDNY Firefighter Patrick Brady after a massive fire in Brooklyn. A good man is being laid to rest because of some careless imbecile who might have caused a fire by smoking and passing out in bed (“Bravest falls in line of duty,” Nov. 10). A young man with many years to go is suddenly gone. Now his widow, family and friends, as well as his brothers at the FDNY have to grieve. And for what? Stupidity. My heart goes out to everyone touched by this. We must always be in gratitude for what these brave people do for a paycheck and their love of the city and its people. They make sacrifices few of us are willing to make. Keith LePage Huntington Veteran firefighter Patrick Brady, 42, died of a heart attack while battling a fire in Brooklyn. To be a firefighter is a most dangerous job. It requires much from any man and woman who is fighting to protect lives and property. I myself served in the US Navy during the Vietnam era. My ranking was a boiler technician-fireman, and therefore, I fully understand the dangers of fighting fires. My heartfelt prayers go out to the family of Patrick Brady and his fellow firefighters and family. This is a hard time for our bravest with the pain they are all feeling. Rest in peace, Firefighter Brady. God bless and protect our bravest. Frederick Bedell Jr. Bellerose
