Christopher Coremin writes that a New Jersey rabbi's anti-Trump article jumped to unsupported conclusions.
To the Editor:
Concerning Gerald Zelizer's commentary, "N.J. rabbi: How could Jews choose Trump?" in the Times' Aug. 6 print edition:
Rabbi Zelizer offers three reasons why Jews should not vote for Donald Trump. Many others do not want Trump as president. However, Zelizer's reasons are not logical.
First, he states that many believe that Trump would be a strong leader, and suggests that for the Jewish people, this is not a good trait to have. Zelizer argues by example that Benito Mussolini was a strong leader, and that Jews in Italy fared poorly under his rule and his Nazi collaboration during World War II.
How can Zelizer make that leap? Presidents Ronald Reagan and George H. W. Bush were strong leaders as well. Did they conspire to persecute the Jews?
The writer argues that hate and denigration are infectious. Is he implying that the American people are brainless and will follow everything they hear? Please do not insult our intelligence. The American people have supported Israel with our tax dollars for many years.
Zelizer also brings up the subject of partial Jewish heritage in Nazi Germany. What does that have to do with Trump, whose son-in-law is Jewish?
My son in-law is Jewish. He is a great man and I love him as my own son. My granddaughters are the joy of my life. No one has ever made discriminatory comments about our Jewish heritage.
The author cites an Anti-Defamation League study about which Americans are the most anti-Semitic. The study concluded that least educated and poorest people were the most bigoted. Zelizer maintains that they are among the biggest Trump supporters.
How dare Zelizer complain about prejudice toward the Jews, then blame Trump and his supporters? The author, in fact, is displaying bias by indicting a large part of the American people.
Believe me, I will not vote for Trump -- but I also cannot accept the rabbi's irrational arguments.
Christopher Coremin
West Deptford Township
N.J. pensions just too costly
To the Editor:
State Senate President Stephen Sweeney -- who has held up a ballot question whose voter approval would make the state pay into public pension funds quarterly -- is correct in stating that private employers meet their responsibilities to their workers.
But the truth is that many companies go bankrupt and leave their obligations at the gate. The State of New Jersey is going bankrupt, mainly due to the push by public employees to meet financial obligations that both parties' politicians made to them in exchange for contributions to their campaigns.
Today, New Jersey cannot make even the pension payments required by current law. In order to do so, taxes would need to be raised. More taxes mean a larger burden on already over-taxed citizens, and that more people and tax revenue will leave the state.
The public-employee pension system needs to be streamlined for the needs of the workers and the needs of the tax payers. It should be similar to what to private industries have. The old system does not work. It is too rich in money and benefits.
If it does go on the ballot this year, I will not support the pension amendment question.
I also do not support a proposed gasoline tax increase to which the pension funding issue has been linked. A large gas tax increase to support transportation projects is unfair to consumers. Any increase should be phased in over three years or more. Also, no reductions have been made in New Jersey's outrageous cost, according to one survey, of $2 million to build a mile of road.
I do support a reduction of the sales tax -- which has been proposed to offset a gas tax boost -- because it would make New Jersey more competitive with neighboring states. I think it would pay for itself with increased sales.
I thank Sweeney for his recent stand against the teachers' unions, which want the pension question on the ballot immediately. These unions are showing more interest in themselves than the majority of citizens.
Luis M. Perez
Glassboro
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