Democrats need to do more

I will never subscribe the Democratic doom and gloom narrative as a Baltimore City resident, parent and educational advocate.

The current trend of politicians and news outlets which continue to use their offices as partisan fear-mongering platforms is very alarming. We know many are upset that President Trump was elected. What has affected me deeply is when the Moore Administration gutted B.O.O.S.T. After receiving an email notification that my son qualified but there were no funds, I needed to find two more positions (I already work two positions) to pay $950 per month for private tuition for our youngest son. The designated Baltimore City zone public school is not where my gifted and talented middle schooler can receive the world-class education he deserves. Countless Democrats couldn’t relate to our needs nor priorities and this is why they lost, especially among Latinos like ourselves. We care deeply about family, engagement, entrepreneurship and leaving a lasting legacy.

Baltimore City needs leadership that works for its constituents not politicians who get elected and run for the next higher office for their own benefit while West Baltimore remains ignored, without a grocery store in the Coppin State/North Avenue/Matthew Henson areas. Countless precious souls are suffering on the streets looking for real solutions for their lives to improve, their hope to be restored and their purposes be fulfilled.

We have a son, Juan, who was born at 1 pound. He survived and although he has multiple medical, physical and cognitive challenges, he is succeeding in the 11th grade. He has applied for his first job, and continues to be a peer others look up to at his school.

If Juan who was born with his eyes shut closed at 24 weeks, has cerebral palsy, hydrocephalus, asthma, has had several surgeries, diagnosed as unable to hear, wore diapers until 2nd grade, had surgery to correct his eyes’ alignment, finally was able to walk at age 3, and continues to amaze his doctors with every milestone he has accomplished … there is absolutely nothing that can be thrown at this mother to deter me to press on.

— Blanca Tapahuasco, Baltimore

Politicians are focused on the wrong things

I find it incredulous that our governor and legislature spend time on condoms, prices on eggs, BGE price increases, placing surcharges on sugary drinks (even those with sugar substitutes ), beer and wine in grocery stores, lack of audits on million-dollar grants to “nonprofits,” cutting $2 billion dollars in expenses (but doesn’t identify what expenses), generating an additional $1 billion in tax revenue (but doesn’t identify how, other than increasing income tax on successful individuals ), etc., etc., etc.

But legislators consistently fail to get a high school graduation requirement of a financial literacy course out of even committee! The citizens of Maryland get what they desire when they elect these incompetent politicians. Wouldn’t it be interesting if for once we had both a Republican governor and a Republican majority in the legislature?

— Richard T. Webb, Parkton

Zelenskyy got exactly what he wanted

I am not surprised that many in the media and many Americans blame President Trump and Vice President Vance for the confrontation with the Ukrainian president that took place publicly at the White House before a live television audience.

Zelenskyy wanted Trump to agree to allow Ukraine to be part of NATO before accepting any peace agreement with Russia. Trump accurately understands that would have permitted a stepping stone to a nuclear war. The motivation for decision making in Russia and China, for that matter, is survival. President Putin of Russia and President Xi of of China if forced into a major confrontation are willing to destroy the world with them.

China has endured more revolutions in five thousand years than any other major country in the world. In the 20th century, Russia has endured more violent changes of power than any major nation in the world. Zelenskyy is in a survival mode as well. He got all he was going to get from the United States now that President Biden is gone. Zelenskyy needs Europe and especially President Emmanuel Macron to be in charge of any negotiation with Russia. Zelenskyy knows that he can better manipulate ineffective European leaders and obtain more funding from them than he can manipulate President Trump. Zelenskyy is willing to obtain nuclear destruction rather than lose power himself. This is a very critical time in the world.

— Stanford Erickson, Baltimore