Americans need to recall the American’s Creed
Maspeth: I kept hearing the phrase “democracy in a republic,” so I looked it up on Wikipedia: “The American Creed is a term used to refer to the idea that the defining element of American identity, first formulated by Thomas Jefferson, and elaborated by many others, includes liberty, equality, justice, and humanity.”
“The American’s Creed” is the title of a resolution passed by the U.S. House of Representatives on April 3, 1918. It is a statement written in 1917 by William Tyler Page as an entry in a patriotic contest that he won.
I am so tired of seeing posts on Facebook that say the U.S. is a republic, not a democracy, and then describe anarchy as the definition of democracy. At St. Joan of Arc School in Jackson Heights, we grew up reciting the following, incorporating the words of Abraham Lincoln:
“I believe in the United States of America, as a government of the people, by the people, for the people; whose just powers are derived from the consent of the governed; a democracy in a republic; a sovereign Nation of many sovereign States; a perfect union, one and inseparable; established upon those principles of freedom, equality, justice, and humanity for which American patriots sacrificed their lives and fortunes. I therefore believe it is my duty to my country to love it, to support its Constitution, to obey its laws, to respect its flag, and to defend it against all enemies.” — William Tyler Page. Jackie Cavalla
March ignored
Manhattan: I am so shocked at the lack of media coverage of the “Make Billionaires Pay” climate march on Sept. 20. There were many news photographers taking pictures, but nothing appeared in most publications. I’m assuming it is because papers are afraid of the administration’s wrath. But it is news. The Daily News did write a little something (“Signs of anger on the streets of Manhattan as world leaders gather,” Sept. 21), but it was totally misrepresented. It was not an angry crowd, and it was not just one group. It was peaceful and respectful at all times! Wanting wealthy people to pay their taxes as we do, fight climate change and protect the right to free speech, among many groups. It is terrifying that you have folded to the administration that is dooming us as a democracy. It’s not about what party you follow, but saving our country. Leslie Chase
Extreme statements
Brooklyn: Like most Americans, I deplore the murder of Charlie Kirk. However, it’s clear from his statements and writings that he was an openly racist homophobe who claimed that the 1964 Civil Rights Act was “a big mistake,” who supported the death penalty for gay men and who claimed that people who identified as trans were “abominations in the eyes of God.” He once called for the imprisonment or execution of President Joe Biden. He was a Young Earth Creationist who rejected the overwhelming evidence for the Big Bang origin of the universe 13.8 billion years ago and for human evolution, having falsely stated that Charles Darwin had been refuted. He believed that evangelical Christians like him should be in control of the government, media, schools and entertainment industry. Despite all this, or perhaps because of it, he is being virtually canonized, disturbingly, in large parts of the media. Dennis Middlebrooks
Mudslinging
Glendale: I’d like to thank Voicers Michael Barnhart and Diane Doberman for proving my point! Michael calls Kirk a racist, talks about fighting in the Civil War and fails to provide one example of how Kirk was a racist! Diane babbles about David Duke and the KKK and provides no substance. By the way, Diane, you talk about Kirk debating young college students who are no match for him. Did it ever occur to you that this is exactly what the liberal professors on college campuses do to their students in a captive setting? Worse than that, the professor can fail a student or give them a bad grade if that student challenges them in a debate! Thomas Murawski
Regrettable reverence
Delhi, N.Y.: Voicer Sharon Austry is right-on with her suggestion that every flag in the country should have been flown at half-staff for all the children killed by gun violence. This should also include the deaths of Melissa Hortman as well as other Democratic leaders who were murdered. Also, when I first heard of Kirk’s assassination, I said to my wife, “Who is he?” It amazes me how this hateful human being is being idolized, and as Voicer Diane Doberman pointed out, practically canonized. She quotes another Voicer: “No one in their right mind would want to marry such a monster.” Let me add one more name to that list: Stephen Miller. How on Earth has this troglodyte managed to marry and create three children? Arthur Martello
Give & take
Croton-on-Hudson, N.Y.: Jimmy Kimmel is a big supporter of the First Amendment. If so, why did he get ticked off when Aaron Rodgers gave him a little jab? This was after months of Kimmel giving it to Rodgers. Jimmy, remember the goose-and-gander adage. Peter McKenna
He said what he said
Manhattan: A quick Google search for “Kimmel quote that got him suspended” reveals what Will Marshall omitted in his op-ed (“How citizens can fight MAGA cancel culture,” Sept. 23): “Kimmel suggested that many Trump supporters were trying to capitalize on Kirk’s death and were ‘desperately trying to characterize this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them.’ ” Why did Marshall fail to include this direct quote and instead write, “Kimmel was taken off the air last week for saying what’s glaringly obvious to anyone following the news or scrolling social media: Trump and his minions are trying to exploit the heinous assassination of MAGA activist Charlie Kirk for political gain.” Like Kimmel, Marshall is entitled to his opinions but not his own facts. There is no evidence that Kirk’s killer is associated with the Trump camp, and Marshall deliberately omits Kimmel’s words blaming “the MAGA gang.” Gilbert Colon
Junk pushers
Manhattan: Robert F. Kennedy Jr., our secretary of health, is supposedly concerned about healthy food for our children and adults. Did anybody bother to look at the ads on all pro football games? All the food and drink ads are junk food, which only add to our overwhelming numbers of diabetics and obese children and adults. It would seem that there should be some focus on this. The latest I saw was an Oreo cookie breakfast with marshmallows — four teaspoons of sugar in each serving. It’s easy to mute these ads when watching, but how do you block out the idealized pictures of these unhealthy foods? Is it any wonder that we are in the top 20 countries for childhood obesity? Please make America healthy again and control this for-profit advertising. Leonard Smoke
Losing their edge
Newark: The endorsements of Zohran Mamdani by Democratic bigs Rep. Hakeem Jeffries and Sen. Chuck Schumer being held off because of their looking towards the 2026 congressional elections are causing them to lose the 2026 congressional elections. David Figueroa
Widening conflict
Terre Haute, Ind.: Russian drones that invaded Poland’s sovereign airspace were eventually intercepted and destroyed. This Russian incursion was unparalleled. But now, Russian jets have invaded Estonia’s airspace — another NATO member. Whether by calculation or mistake, such incursions can only escalate to kinetic conventional-force warfare between NATO and Russian forces. But herein lies the problem of an expanding threat of thermonuclear war between NATO and Russia should these low-level incidents indeed get out of hand! Should events go nuclear, say goodbye to human civilization on the third rock from the sun. To these politicians and otherwise useless bureaucrats at the United Nations: Get your acts together to solve this Russia-Ukraine war and Russian aggression toward NATO members before things go beyond the point of no return! Earl Beal
Words of affirmation
Manhattan: I love everyone in New York City! Is that alright? I love the city. You don’t scare me! You are all good, valuable, hard-working, valid and awesome. You do great! I love everyone outside the city also, but I really love New Yorkers. Stay safe, stay kind, we need you. You are worthy! Eva Julietta Tortora
