RFK Jr., Elon Musk, government waste, reckless drivers coyote sightings, athletes' and celebrities' salaries

With RFK Jr., better watch your health

President Donald Trump promised to put the best people in his administration. We have seen several unqualified candidates already confirmed, but now Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is perhaps the most unqualified person to ever lead the Department of Health and Human Services [“Vaccine skeptic RFK Jr. is sworn in as health chief,” Nation & World, Feb. 14].

We might expect long-eradicated diseases to make a comeback. Fasten your seat belts, folks, it’s going to be a bumpy ride.

— Jim Kiernan, Holbrook

Donald Trump’s ally Elon Musk and his team have in only four short weeks apparently exposed billions upon billions of dollars of fraudulent waste and bloat in various government agencies “Trump court win for buyout plans,” Nation, Feb. 13].

This waste, fraud, and bloat has been costing taxpayers billions of dollars. And who do the Democrats blame for this expose? Musk, not the government agencies that are sucking us dry.

— Chris Connors, Amityville

I remember how proud I was of this county when John F. Kennedy was president and how others looked up to us. Kennedy called on us to do our best — starting the Peace Corps, averting a nuclear war with the Soviets, inspiring patriotism in his inaugural speech, boosting the American space program, winning his Pulitzer Prize for “Profiles in Courage,” and supporting civil rights.

Now, I’m ashamed of how Donald Trump’s actions are portraying us [“Trump order: Cut workers,” News, Feb. 12]. He’s trying to kill USAID, which saves so many lives; pulling out of the Paris climate agreement; withdrawing from the World Health Organization, which provides money for research to find cures for diseases; trying to take over Greenland, Canada and Gaza; pardoning the Jan. 6 convicts who stormed the U.S. Capitol, leading to some Capitol Police officers’ deaths; threatening NATO; and on and on.

I pray for Congress and everyday Americans to fight his effort to gain more power.

— Clare Worthing, Wantagh

Beware: An ugly monetary future is coming [“LI businesses call Trump’s plan to pitch pennies common ‘cents,’ ” News, Feb. 11]. Coins will go first, followed by folding cash. Electronic paychecks and other payments will be mandatory. Your income taxes will be automatically assessed and deducted.

So save some pennies now as a reminder of a time when government did not solely benefit billionaires, whose generous tax breaks likely will soon be increased.

— Ray Keenan, Shirley

Give reckless drivers stiffer consequences

Time and time again, it seems we read about drivers speeding and/or driving drunk “LI’s road racers must be stopped,” Editorial, Feb. 13]. In many instances, when the driver is caught, that person has a long history of prior incidents.

Driving is a privilege, not a birthright. If you break the rules of the road, your license should be revoked. If you drive while your license has been revoked, it should be taken away permanently.

It seems the prices these drivers pay are incredibly lenient. Cody Fisher, the driver who almost killed Suffolk Police Officer Brendon Gallagher, should be facing attempted murder charges, nothing less.

— Joanne Brady, Bellport

After prior release, coyotes no surprise

I was so angry I could barely read the article “Five coyote sightings spur warning” [News, Feb. 8]. In 2023, an injured coyote caught wandering Queens streets and brought to Sweetbriar Nature Center in Smithtown was restored to health. It then, however, was simply released on the Nassau/Queens border, which is not its natural habitat.

The coyote was let go to prowl and possibly kill beautiful deer. I would much rather see deer walking around my neighborhood than coyotes. Coyotes are predators that hunt whatever they need to survive.

I think the release was outrageous. It likely has upset Long Island’s natural habitat for years to come — unless the coyotes are caught and brought to an area where they naturally roam. It’s the right thing to do.

— Carolyn Newson, Riverhead

Scrutinize salaries of athletes, celebs too

Pete Alonso returns to the Mets with a two-year, $54 million deal, and no one bats an eye [“Citi’s right place for Pete,” Sports, Feb. 7]. Newsday publishes the median salary for Long Island teachers at $130,000, and readers complain “Taxing issue that won’t go away,” Letters, Feb. 5].

Before we tear into teachers’ salaries, it would be nice to see the media using the same energy to scrutinize what we pay athletes and entertainers, many of whom have been educated by “rich” teachers.

— Melissa Levy, Plainview