Civility, uncontested races, pedestrian accidents, LIRR fraud

One more step toward calm in civic debate

Our government, ideally democratic, is morphing into a continuous yelling, screaming, shouting, insulting and, unfortunately, even a shooting match between the Republican and Democratic parties.

Major problems confront the country: health care, climate change, gun control, abortion rights and immigration, to name just a few. We tend to form core beliefs about these problems and then listen and watch information that reinforces these beliefs. And much of that may be misinformation.

How can we get an honest assessment of what is going on in this country? Well, for starters, we could look at what the Town of Southampton has done. Its board has pledged to model civility and respect following recent politically motivated assassinations “New era of civility on LI?,” Long Island, Oct. 12].

Taking this pledge one step further, I believe short, say half-hour, scheduled one-on-one spirited but respectful debates between selected representatives of the Democratic and Republican parties — preferably not candidates or officeholders with a goal — would allow us to make informed judgments on the debate’s subject. Each debate would be on just one of our major problems. And mutually agreed-upon real-time fact-checkers would keep the debates honest. Civility? This could be another step.

— Bill Domjan, Melville

I oppose our having unopposed choices

I find it depressing that many of those who attended the “No Kings” rallies and bemoan the fall of democracy apparently don’t seem to care as much about the lack of democracy in local elections “LI residents praise ease on first day of early voting,” News, Oct. 26].

In the current election, the Suffolk County sheriff, district attorney, and most judges are running unopposed. In the Town of Babylon, too, the town supervisor has an opponent who has hardly done any campaigning.

How is this democracy in action? Why are people not protesting this?

— John Scalice, Lindenhurst

I am so frustrated with the lack of candidate choices. I just voted, as I always do, and, as usual, many of the same candidates run on every party line, leaving no choice but to vote for just one candidate for each position.

This has been going on for a long time for judges, and this year, my county legislator and district attorney were the only candidates listed for their respective positions. The parties should be ashamed to let this happen year after year.

— Thomas Donovan, West Islip

Give pedestrians some accident blame

I worked in the heart of Hempstead Village for 25 years, driving in and out at least twice a day [“Deaths in village illustrate dangers to LI pedestrians,” News, Oct. 26]. Some of the pedestrians seem to have had little or no regard for safety when crossing even the busiest roads, just walking out in front of moving traffic with a “I dare you to hit me” attitude.

Why is there a high incidence of pedestrians being struck by vehicles? Many pedestrians share a portion of the blame.

— Stephen Rothaug, Baiting Hollow

LIRR needs to find a way to stop fraud

Again, more fraud seems to have been committed by Long Island Rail Road workers “Watchdog: 36 LIRR workers in time fraud scheme,” News, Oct. 23]. If no one apparently is going to jail and no one is going to lose a pension, why keep reporting about this year in and year out?

As long as the penalties are minor and don’t change, this likely will never stop.

How often do we read about this happening in the private sector? Maybe it’s time for the LIRR to reach for outside help to stem this tide.

— Rich Corso, Oceanside