Wealthy nations must do more through IMF relief

In the article, “G7 leaders tackle migration, AI and economic security on second and final day of summit in Italy” (June 14), the executive director of humanitarian group The ONE Campaign points out that wealthy countries have failed to live up to their promises to developing nations: “Without any concrete action, the G7 in Italy amounts to no more than pointless platitudes.”

He couldn’t be more right. Soaring food and energy prices, catastrophic climate disasters, unbearable debt burdens worsened by the Federal Reserve’s high interest rates — poorer countries need our help to survive the tumultuous global economy.

President Joe Biden has a powerful tool at his disposal that costs taxpayers nothing.

In times of need, the International Monetary Fund can issue a financial resource called “Special Drawing Rights” (SDRs) to its members. SDRs can be exchanged for hard currency to purchase goods like food and medicine, used to repay debt or held for a rainy day. They don’t have to be paid back.

In 2021, the IMF issued $650 billion in SDRs. It was a lifeline to developing countries during the pandemic. But today, it’s clear that they need more. Humanitarian groups, United Nations officials, members of Congress, African leaders, the AFL-CIO and the International Chamber of Commerce support a new SDR issuance.

The U.S. is extremely influential at the IMF and if President Biden supported a new SDR allocation, it would surely happen. But Republicans in Congress are spreading misinformation that SDRs help U.S. adversaries (they don’t) to try to scare Biden.

As chair of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, U.S. Sen. Ben Cardin should be pushing back on these bad-faith efforts and encouraging Biden to do what the G7 has failed to do: help our brothers and sisters in the developing world with a new issuance of SDRs.

— Mark Harrison, Mitchellville

Why not sue anyone who makes disposables?

One has to be amazed at the recent lawsuit file by the city of Baltimore against Coke, Pepsi and other makers of plastic containers. The lawsuit seeks to recover the expenses that Baltimore occurs in cleaning up the plastic (“Baltimore sues Coke, Pepsi and other producers of plastic, citing pollution concerns,” June 20).

Why not a lawsuit against all makers of all materials that need to be either recycled or landfilled? After all, landfills are expensive and it’s not just plastics that are causing the problem. Apparently, plastics are 12% of the problem. So let’s amend the lawsuit to cover 100%. There’s no sense in letting a frivolous lawsuit go to waste.

— Joseph “Jay” A. Schwartz III, Towson

Shoplifters pose a threat to Baltimore’s future

Armstrong Williams is correct regarding better law enforcement, but what he neglected to mention is how we need better behavior (“Armstrong Williams: Baltimore deserves better law enforcement,” June 26). It appears breaking the law has become a sport, and one with a profit.

Recently, I went to a popular cosmetic store and was shocked to discover bottles of perfume that had been secured are now missing. Even though the strong cord could not be cut (according to an associate), a method has been discovered. Also, at my local pharmacy, I find items by the door or hidden for later shoplifting. Furthermore, it is an outrage to see common items like toilet paper, detergent and toothpaste under lock. In order to make a purchase, a customer must press a button to summon a clerk who is likely already busy assisting someone else.

It’s clear bad behavior is ignored and breaking the law acceptable. Perhaps some investigation is needed to find out when this all began. Years ago, shoplifting resulted in prosecution, but now the merchandise stolen must be of such high value before law enforcement will lift a finger.

The quality-of-life offenders are just more of the same. There has been a collapse of responsible, law-abiding behavior. Therefore, everyone should be alarmed and demand action. Not only are bars and restaurants hurt, but the word outside Baltimore is to stay away. And so businesses, entertainment venues and local events suffer. Shoplifting is gouging into profits and without profits stores close. As a result, the community suffers. Illegal behavior hurts everyone. I’d hate to see my neighborhood become a “food desert,” but it could happen here as it has elsewhere. Everyone who lives, works or visits Baltimore should recognize we all are at risk. It’s time we demand accountability and effective law enforcement immediately.

— Rosalind Ellis, Baltimore