The penny costs more than its worth and more: Letters to the Editor Feb. 2, 2025
Chump changeFortune favors the bold, so while it is important to point out the wasteful practice of manufacturing pennies at a cost of three cents each, it is literally small change (“Time to start pinching pennies,” Jan.24).Perhaps it will go from there to nickel and diming other items? Instead, here’s a bold proposition: The Department of Education is a relic of the Carter administration and a payoff to the teachers’ unions.
Its most recent budget was around $80 billion.Since its inception, the quality of education in this country has gone down, and a woke-tinged level of interference has gone up.
Get rid of it! If we want to be fortunate in our savings, we have to find bold solutions.Andrew J.MacDonald, Fanwood, NJMilley’s insecurityDisciplinary action against Gen.
Mark Milley could not come soon enough (“Milley set to lose security,” Jan.29).Elections have consequences — and this is one them.
Milley’s unauthorized discussions with his Chinese counterpart and his public contempt and disrespect for his commander-in-chief made him insubordinate.The American people have a right to know if Milley’s behavior undermined the chain of command during President Trump’s first term and whether his DEI initiatives weakened our national security.There is nothing vindictive about wanting to know whether our unelected officials are keeping their promise to uphold the Constitution and to serve the American people without prejudice.Michael D’Auria, BronxvilleWorthy protestIt is time to stop blaming protesters and climate activists for their tactics of civil disobedience (“Sigourney Weaver live performance disrupted as confetti-shooting eco-protesters storm the stage,” Jan.
28).This includes whether we agree or not with their tactics of civil disobedience.There is too much at stake.
Last year (2024) was the first full year the planet exceeded the 1.5 degree “safe limit” set by the Paris Agreement 10 years ago.We continue to head in the wrong di...