A public bank would keep resources in our community

As we struggle to respond to gun violence in Philadelphia, and as tempers, blame, and recriminations heat up, a recurring theme is the need to invest in our communities. If every community in the city had well-resourced schools, libraries, rec centers, and parks, and if every citizen had access to a living wage job, educational opportunities, and affordable housing, we have strong reason to believe that gun violence would go down. As we grapple with the question of how to make that kind of investment, one piece of the puzzle is a Philadelphia Public Bank. Such a bank could take the hundreds of millions of dollars in public revenue that currently flows out of the city as debt repayment and invest that money in our communities in ways that would increase our commonwealth. This is not just wishful thinking. If legislation proposed by Councilmember Derek Green passes through committee this week and through Council in January, such a bank could become reality.

Raymond Torres, Philadelphia,

raytorres2@verizon.net

A painful, personal choice

A reminder to columnists and letter writers alike: Not all abortions are a result of "unplanned/unwanted" pregnancies. Many of us face the unimaginable decision to terminate a planned, wanted pregnancy when receiving devastating diagnoses from our doctors. Shortly after marrying in the early 1990s I became pregnant, and when we were told there were severe fetal anomalies, had an abortion at 12 weeks. Our second pregnancy was uneventful until we were told, again and now at 18 weeks, our baby was severely compromised and likely wouldn't survive. I terminated at 20 weeks. Our medical specialist at Jefferson said the two issues were rare, unrelated, and was like lightning striking us twice. I am forever grateful to my husband, who urged us to try just one more time. We now have two grown, healthy daughters who are our joy. Do I think about those abortions and what could have been? Of course. But I have never regretted those choices, even for a second. We had excellent health insurance and access to phenomenal health care, which far too few have. And I'm thankful every day for the children we were able to bring into the world.

Anne Marie Quinn, Devon

Renters' lifeline just out of reach

Maybe instead of being obsessed with "forensic audits" and following false leads that have been debunked and found baseless regarding voter fraud, the GOP-controlled Pa. legislature should be working on mitigating evictions throughout the commonwealth and redistributing those federal funds?

Or they could be dealing with the still deadly opioid crisis? The underfunding of our inequitable financing of schools? Homelessness? How to spend that $5 billion they have stashed away in a "rainy day" fund (whose rainy day? Theirs?)

Or the myriad other problems that we are facing today that they keep ignoring as they are campaigning and sitting pretty.

And while I'm at it: Why aren't unemployment compensation and the minimum wage linked to annual increases like their pay is?

Michael Miller Jr., Philadelphia,

michamille@comcast.net

Maryland Air National Guard should train at home

Why is the Maryland Air National Guard trying to do their training over prized Pennsylvania wilderness and outdoor recreation areas? The Maryland Air National Guard should be training in Maryland. Why does Pennsylvania have to host the Maryland Air National Guard training? Pennsylvania has its own Air National Guard. We don't need to host Maryland's Air National Guard training as well as our own.

Joan Doyle, Media

Mehmet Oz's hypocrisy

Mehmet Oz from New Jersey is trying to become a senator from Pennsylvania. Like another recent politician, he is trying to use his fame as a TV host to enter politics. Yet his commercials reveal someone used to simple messaging and ignorance. He advertises he is America First. If Trump had been president when his parents immigrated as Muslim Turks, America First's hate of immigrants would have barred their way. He says he is a surgeon, but what does that have to do with public health? Please, Dr. Oz, go back to New Jersey and continue to sell fake weight loss products. You do not represent Pennsylvania, and we are tired of unqualified TV personalities playing effective leaders for their own benefit.

Mitchell Rothman, Merion Station

Where was Trump?

I am watching the service for Bob Dole, the former Republican senator and presidential candidate, and listening to tributes offered by Republicans and Democrats alike. I see a number of other prominent members of both the Republican and Democratic Parties in attendance. Yet, I do not see the de facto leader of the Republican Party in attendance, Donald Trump. Is it because he did not want to be in attendance or is it because his attendance was unwanted? I suspect both to be the reason, but the latter more so than the former.

Joe Riches, Coatesville,

jrichessr@comcast.net