Ukraine and American interests
I’d like to respond to a recent letter to the editor that included false claims regarding my support for Ukraine. I’ve listened to many constituents’ concerns with sending aid to Ukraine, but I’ve long said that Vladimir Putin poses an immediate threat not just to Ukraine, but to Europe and America.
Providing weapons and munitions to Ukraine now allows Ukraine to fight Russia itself and keep Russia contained, all without putting Americans in harm’s way. This provides the biggest bang for our buck and prevents a larger regional conflict that will occur if Russia continues its aggression past Ukraine and into NATO.
That’s why I voted for the Ukraine Security Supplemental Appropriations Act. Much of this supplemental package will provide a down payment on the U.S. domestic manufacturing we need to backfill our own weapons stockpiles, which have been drawn down to support Ukraine and must be rebuilt to deter future wars.
My allegiance has always been to the people of Virginia’s 1st District and the United States of America. I will always stand up for American interests at home and abroad.
Congressman Rob Wittman, Montross
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Netanyahu is waging war on Palestinians
On Oct. 7 or 8, 2023, Yoav Gallant announced in the presence of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that all water, food, gas and electricity to Gaza had been blocked. Probably every newspaper and radio station carried that information. Netanyahu subsequently conscripted a large number of soldiers, assembled hundreds of tanks and bulldozers and proceeded to bomb residential buildings, schools, hospitals and utilities in Gaza.
On Jan. 29, the ICC commanded Netanyahu to take steps to avoid genocide in Gaza. The response by him and Gallant was to defy the ICC and add another 100 deaths of Palestinians.
Now the death total is 35,000 and the number of injured is 79,000. Hunger and disease have been added to Israel’s war tools — resulting from the destruction in Gaza of facilities of hygiene, the lack of medicine, clean water or any kind of aid. Several countries have mounted aid programs, and even the U.S. has built a dock so that aid can be brought into that tiny country.
Finally, the ICC considers arresting Netanyahu and Gallant, but only for for war crimes, neglecting the fact that Netanyahu has held intense hatred of Palestinians for years — even before the 1995 assassination of his rival Yitzhak Rabin (who sought peace, not suffering) … neglecting the fact that Netanyahu is actually waging war against Palestinians, not just Hamas.
Richard Dunn, Williamsburg
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No rosy view for those in poverty
In his column, “The war on poverty is not over,” Mr. Filko uses laughably broad generalizations to accuse progressives of wanting to tax everyone so they can “help the poor … to be more comfortable in poverty.” (Really?!) He starts by ridiculing Bernie Sanders for his focus on wage income, then pats conservatives on the back for their focus on “promoting self-reliance … and the personal pride and dignity associated with work.” The problem with this rosy view of how people can lift themselves out of poverty is the fact that our economy and our tax code are set up to benefit employers, not workers.
Despite working two or three jobs, many of the working poor still have to rely on those government benefits Mr. Filko decries, or show up at the local food closets (many of which, by the way, are overwhelmed by increasing demand). How about this for an idea: companies could actually pay a living wage and provide good benefits and job security to their workers, so they wouldn’t need supplemental benefits. Instead, corporations make billions in profit while government and charitable organizations make up for their underpayment of labor. Progressives don’t want to tax ordinary Americans; they simply want corporations and the ultra-wealthy to pay their fair share — something they will never do unless compelled to.
Ellen Peters, James City County
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Standing behind the Ranger family
As a longtime journalist, I have written about freedom of speech and advances in equal opportunity for all Americans. I was saddened and angered to read in Jade Ranger’s column that she has received hate mail personally attacking the character of her family.
Dr. Ranger and her husband are successful business owners of The Prescription Shoppe. She writes thoughtful columns, including her latest about teaching their two young children to stand up for their convictions. As a former Wall Street Journal Washington features editor, I find that her columns are well-written and well-reasoned.
As a local resident, I am confident the hateful letters are an ugly exception and that people in our community broadly stand behind the Ranger family. I know that my wife, Mary Rogers, and I do. Keep writing, Jade.
Ron Shafer, James City County
