Without abortion or Trump on ballot, how will Democrats run?

Now that the abortion issue or non-issue (based on an already unrestrictive existing law) has been cast in hardened concrete, what will Maryland Democrats run on next (“Almost every Maryland county shifts toward Trump in votes counted so far; state remains deep blue,” Nov. 8)?

It seems that dinner table issues were of lesser importance to Maryland voters, so if Donald Trump accomplishes his economic goals over the next four years, the ball game starts all over again to convince the Maryland electorate that taxing and spending is the best way “forward.”

Since they will no longer have Trump to hate, what GOP candidate will be the Democrats’ new target — as hating a candidate seems to be a key voting motivating factor for the majority of Maryland voters.

— Michael Ernest, Catonsville

Inner Harbor can produce happy surprises

Many years ago, I produced a marketing event in the old McCormick Plant and Headquarters building on Light Street overlooking the rat-strewn Inner Harbor surrounded by rotting piers. The maintenance crew were looking out the eighth-story window saying who is this James Rouse guy who thinks he can turn this rotting pier around? Turns out I am a distant cousin of the Rouse family and Ted Rouse was in my class in high school.

I had named my event company Extraordinary Events whose tagline was “Extraordinary Events begin with extraordinary ideas” and I was quick to challenge their negative comments. During those days, a postal carrier named Stephen A. Geppi, now owner of Baltimore Magazine, was also plotting in his mind how this harbor could be reimagined as he delivered mail around it.

I was not fully supportive of the David Bramble proposal (which has many great ideas and concepts) but it has been approved and, like our election, it is time to move on. The idea of a Charm City Skyway to help replace the Francis Scott Key Bridge as a vehicle to support charitable events and a way to “allow this national treasure to be shared with the world” has my vote (“A Charm City Skyway?” Nov. 8)!

— Blake Goldsmith, Baltimore

Kennedy would be a disaster for US health care

If President-elect Donald Trump selects Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to be a health adviser, every citizen in this country should be concerned because we will be at great risk (“RFK Jr. says Trump would push to remove fluoride from drinking water. ‘It’s possible,’ Trump says,” Nov. 3).

It’s basic common sense that one should hire the best person to do a specific job or task. That said, when evaluating a potential candidate to fill a specific position, his or her qualifications and competency should be considered important as essential factors in helping to make a decision for the hiring process. When it comes to the health of millions of citizens in this great country, the president should strive to get the best person to fill that job — not one of his loyal buddies who would bend over and kiss his gluteus maximus on demand.

We need an intelligent person with public health experience and someone who is in an excellent position to make good responsible decisions that will affect all of us in the future. Unfortunately, that would not be the case if Kennedy is selected. He has been very vocal about his distrust for vaccinations that have saved many millions of lives. And now, he wants to remove fluoride from the drinking water that has been proven to be exceedingly beneficial and safe for all of us.

As a practicing dentist, I am appalled by this suggestion. In fact, the World Health Organization considers water fluoridation to be one of the ten best public health achievements of the 20th century. Also, Kennedy wants to “reorganize” several federal health agencies. He certainly has no experience in these areas and is totally unqualified to make competent health recommendations or decisions.

Clearly, Kennedy has shown his ignorance about health and would be dangerous to the health and welfare of the American public. He should be encouraged to refrain from expressing his outlandish opinions in public and thus, should not be considered for a job in any administration.

President-elect Trump should be a responsible leader and pick the most competent advisers and cabinet secretaries to help our great country. Or will he pick his buddies instead?

— John A. Sawchuk, D.D.S., Baltimore