Ronkonkoma Hub parking, Social Security, U.S. Open fans, addiction

Parking must be part of Hub plan

Any discussion of development of the south side of the Ronkonkoma Hub must also include ensuring there is ample parking for the commuters who rely on it “Ronkonkoma Hub future still murky after Midway Crossing,” News, June 22].

Moving the Long Island MacArthur Airport terminal to the north side of the airport to make it more proximate to the Long Island Rail Road — and development of a convention center, hotel, and other attractions — could be good for the local economy, but we can’t forget the vast majority of riders who need to park just to get to the station.

The development of Station Yards has created housing for people who don’t need to drive, and we support that. But one of the biggest problems faced by LIRR commuters systemwide is finding adequate parking. No matter what the potential economic advantages of developing these properties, commuter parking must be part of the equation.

We’ve waited a long time for this project to become a reality. Let’s get it right without dealing a blow to the daily commuters who use Ronkonkoma station.

— Gerard Bringmann, Holtsville

The writer is chairman of the LIRR Commuters Council.

Funding fears for Social Security

It’s amazing how our government can recklessly fling around billions of dollars, but when it comes to our own people, especially our older people, there are critical financial problems with funding Social Security and Medicare “Will Social Security run dry in 2032?,” News, June 21].

Social Security is not a gift — it is something its recipients paid for during their entire working lives, with the understanding that when it was their turn, they would receive their well-earned benefits. And when it comes to Medicare, it is shameful that while we proclaim ourselves the most advanced country in the world, we cannot even reliably provide health care security for many of our own people.

Politicians should wake up — these are the issues people care about, and these are the issues that will decide their votes.

— Marie Brown, Baldwin

Those who suggest increasing the cap so the wealthy can fully fund Social Security are missing the point [“Fixing the Social Security shortfall,” Letters, June 17].

Social Security was designed as a contributory insurance program, not a general wealth redistribution program. The payroll tax is capped because benefits are also capped. High earners already pay much more into the system than average workers, and raising or eliminating the cap without proportionally increasing benefits would change the nature of the program from social insurance toward income redistribution.

People often focus on wages above the cap not being taxed for Social Security, but they overlook that benefits are also tied to earnings only up to the cap. If someone pays more into the system, should they also receive higher benefits? If not, then it’s no longer simply an insurance program and we’re changing the program’s purpose, not just fixing a funding problem.

— Linda Michell, West Babylon

Blame for bad fans extends past LI

No doubt the raucous and immature behavior displayed by some fans at the U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club is a stain on the character of sports spectators [“ ‘A stain on the game of golf,’ ” Long Island, June 24]. The recent conduct at both the U.S. Open and the Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black was sad, boorish, and disappointing. However, I do not believe Long Islanders alone should bear the blame.

Yes, many of those fans were locals, and yes, we have all witnessed foolish behavior at youth sports games. There is no question that New Yorkers can be loud, passionate, and occasionally out of order. But so can fans in Boston, Los Angeles, Chicago, Miami, Dallas, and other cities. I have even heard taunting and unruly behavior at a Vikings game in the “nice” city of Minneapolis.

The deterioration of public behavior is not a parochial issue; it is a national one. We see demeaning language, personal insults, and the dehumanization of others modeled every day by political leaders, celebrities, commentators, and influencers. When public figures normalize ridicule, it inevitably seeps into our culture.

If we want a more civil society, all of us must demand it and enforce our expectations.

— Robert Detor, Port Washington

Early intervention combats addiction

The guest essay by William Rule was informative and spot-on [“Walls around addiction are crumbling,” Opinion, June 23].

For the past 10 years, I have been volunteering in an early intervention program at a grammar school in Riverhead. Once a month, two students, who are middle school peer leaders, and I go to fifth- or sixth-grade students and present a scripted program to the class.

We cover all the bases dealing with alcohol, drugs, smoking, and now marijuana. We delve into how peer pressure and advertising play a large part in exposing young people to harmful substances. The program culminates in a big Say No to Drugs parade, and I can only hope that lives can be saved.

This type of program should be in every U.S. school.

— Susan Broderick, Westhampton