Help seniors stay in their homes and get care
Manhattan: Gov. Hochul’s focus on affordability is welcome news for families across New York, including the rapidly growing population of older adults struggling to remain safely housed, healthy and connected in their communities. We thank the governor for continuing to elevate the needs of older New Yorkers and for advancing proposals that recognize aging as a core part of New York’s future.
Across the state, far too many older adults are living on fixed incomes while facing rising rents, health care costs and the escalating price of food. Well over one-third of senior households in New York experience housing insecurity, and advocates estimate that as many as half of older New Yorkers face some level of food insecurity, trends that are unsustainable for a state that values dignity, fairness and opportunity at every age.
Last year’s rollout of the Master Plan for Aging marked an important shift in recognizing older adults as a vital population. We are particularly encouraged by the governor’s commitment to accelerate affordable housing through an additional $250 million investment, building on her five-year, $25 billion Housing Plan that is already ahead of schedule. For older adults living on fixed incomes, affordable housing with supportive services is not just shelter; it is health care, stability and dignity.
Combined with renewed investments in aging-in-place models like naturally occurring retirement communities, non-medical in-home services and the CAPABLE program, these initiatives will help ensure older New Yorkers can remain in their homes and communities, contributing to a stronger New York for all of us. Gayle Horwitz, CEO, Jewish Association Serving the Aging
Get a taste
Freeport, L.I.: Responding to Voicer Robert Brennan urging U.S. citizens protesting ICE crackdowns to go to Iran to support Iranian demonstrators for human rights, I further encourage Christian Nationalists to go to Iran to witness firsthand what happens in theocracies, where one religion’s “word of god” becomes the law of the land. Travel tip for ladies: Make sure to pack your burqas and hijabs. And guys? Don’t be caught dead ordering a bacon-egg breakfast sandwich. Bob Sterner
Defund his police
Chestnut Ridge, N.Y.: The violence and lawlessness of ICE agents has reached shocking new heights. President Trump, Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem and Border Patrol boss Greg Bovino pledged to rid the country of undocumented violent felons. But ICE’s outrageous raids on workplaces, schools, churches, day cares and peaceful neighborhoods demonstrate that their actions have nothing to do with law enforcement and everything to do with spreading terror throughout our cities. The murder of Renee Nicole Good, neither a felon nor an undocumented immigrant, gives the final lie to any pretense ICE might have had of making communities safer. Rep. Mike Lawler dares to both-sides Good’s murder and make excuses for her executioner. Voters will remember his moral cowardice on Election Day unless he, along with Sens. Kirsten Gillibrand and Chuck Schumer, assert their congressional authority to curtail reckless, out-of-control ICE enforcement through the upcoming DHS funding bill. Julie Goldberg
Cowed Congress
Saratoga Springs, N.Y.: So President Voldemort is threatening to invoke the Insurrection Act to prevent peaceful protest in Minneapolis. Why didn’t he do that on Jan. 6 instead of watching the assault on the U.S. Capitol and cheering from his office until it was obvious to all that the violent rioters had not inspired the revolution he had called for earlier in the day? Oh, that’s right, our transactional executive was actually hoping that his minions would succeed in hanging his vice president and executing a few members of Congress to show everyone who’s boss. What’s wrong with our Republican representatives? Are they still in hiding and afraid? It’s time for them to grow a set. They need to do their job for the people they’re supposed to represent and stop protecting their political careers — before it’s too late for us all. Michael Stella
Squandered sacrifice
Manhattan: Thanks to Voicer Pauline Graham Binder for asking if we Americans are going to follow Trump as he gets more and more like a dictator. Recently, my husband and I visited the American Cemetery in Normandy, France. Both our fathers fought in World War II against a government that had people seized off the streets, killed or given fake trials so they could be imprisoned or shot. As we looked at the more than 9,300 graves of young men who were killed within the invasion’s first day and a half, I wondered if they would believe what our country is going through now as a man who wouldn’t fight for his country tries to be a dictator and is supported by a whole political party. As I think about how they gave their lives so we can live freely, I feel profound sadness and shame. Beverly Bayles
Playground policy
Massapequa, L.I.: “Hard way or easy way — Greenland, Venezuela, Canada, Mexico, give me your lunch money.” I’ve seen that in my experience in junior high school. Paul Pepe
Spineless
Brooklyn: Once again, Senate girly men Josh “I ran as fast as I could” Hawley and Todd “Anything you say, Bonespurs” Young could not even back a symbolic resolution limiting the draft-dodger in chief from putting our troops in harm’s way while he steals, defiles and continues to destroy this once-great country. Totally disgusting doesn’t even begin to describe it. P.S.: Epstein’s getting closer. Gary Butler
Expanding ego
Dartmouth, Mass.: Always looking for a challenge that infuriates his enemies, enlarges his personal fortune and provides another notch in his competition with Vladimir Putin, Trump grabs Venezuela and eyes other countries for inclusion in his sphere of influence. To up the ante, Trump looks beyond the contiguous nations in the Western Hemisphere, threatening Greenland and Russia’s friendly nations, such as Iran. Simultaneous to land grabbing and resource accumulation, Trump is feverishly destroying any domestic constraints on his power. Mass media, cultural institutions, academia and medicine are all bending to his will by eliminating any criticism or opposition. Trump may respect Putin, but his egotistical need to be the winner of all contests, even those he created, is compelling him to enlarge his personal fortune and expand his territorial control. Being king isn’t as ego-satisfying as being emperor or czar of a vast domain. Betty Ussach
Which wars?
Manhattan: The picture of Trump displaying the Nobel Peace Prize given to him by the actual prize winner, María Corina Machado, like he was actually the recipient, is a joke. He says he stopped eight wars. I guess he was saying he was responsible for British Gen. Charles Cornwallis surrendering at Yorktown, Gen. Robert E. Lee surrendering to Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox, arranging the sides at the Treaty of Versailles ending World War I and the German surrender on VE Day in 1945, and the Japanese surrender on VJ Day. H. Wayne Mirsky
Cash transaction?
Auburndale: Did Machado give the cash part of the Nobel Peace Prize to our president, or just the medal? Cathi Venis
Inaccurate accusation
Jersey City: To Voicer Tom King: Mike Tomlin has never thrown a chair as head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers. He has used his share of profanities in the locker rooms or on the sidelines, especially during games with the Patriots, Browns and Ravens. That’s well documented. Never a story in Pittsburgh about him throwing a chair. The Rooneys would not have tolerated that. Tomlin is well known for being a role model and a molder of men. Watch and listen to how his players speak of him. Apparently, Texas A&M head coach Mike Elko threw a chair recently. So for you, is it that all Mikes are alike or all football coaches are prone to bad behavior? There’s a phony Tomlin lookalike on YouTube, but you sure don’t know Tomlin, football or how to do basic research. Hope he sues you. David Parker
Pressed into service
Yardley, Pa.: After reading your article on boy band BTS putting their careers on hold to complete their military service to their country, how novel — “giving time to your country.” Sounds like the old draft. Frank Cocuzza
