2024’s VIP Veep
Rich Lowry emphasizes the need to take the vice presidency more seriously for this election cycle (“From FDR to unfit Joe,” Feb. 14).
Of the 45 men who have been president, nine never made it to the finish line.
Four were assassinated and one resigned, but four died from natural causes that come with age.
Additionally, Andrew Jackson narrowly avoided assassination, while Woodrow Wilson suffered a debilitating stroke, and Dwight Eisenhower suffered a heart attack.
Near the end of his term, Ronald Reagan showed signs of failing, and only a blatant partisan would deny President Biden increasingly is unfit.
Unfortunately, the vice presidency has often been a political afterthought chosen to balance a presidential ticket.
Hopefully, come November, the vice presidential candidates will actually be worthy of being a heartbeat away from the presidency.
Edward S. Hochman, Manhattan
Migrant mayhem
Former Lt.-Gov. Betsy McCaughey writes that it makes no sense to give room and board to people who are attacking our city (“Migrant crime turning cities into war zones,” Feb. 14).
If you are interested in holding our republic together, she is correct.
But that’s not what the Democrats seem to want.
They want the opposite, so bringing all these violent criminals here from around the world makes perfect sense to them.
The suffering of their fellow New Yorkers is a burden Democratic leaders appear willing to endure.
John E. Dumary Jr., Duanesburg
United Nonsense
We Americans may be funding both sides of a war (“Raid kills terrorists, kids,” Feb. 11).
With a debt of more than $34 trillion, we can no longer afford this kind of unaccountable, irresponsible generosity.
To ensure our own survival, the United States must stop funding the United Nations.
The UN is like a guest who stays too long after dinner and drinks too much wine.
I suggest it relocate its headquarters to somewhere in Asia.
The Chinese can house it and John Kerry can easily fly his plane over there.
The United States must focus on protecting itself and its loyal allies.
The New York “Sanctuary” City can use the UN building to house illegal immigrants.
Jack Condon, Huntington Station
Canada breach
I have not traveled much lately, but I wonder if it is possible for a person to get on a plane from Mexico to Canada without identification (“Canada influx reaches record,” Feb. 13).
The last time I traveled to Canada, we needed a passport to enter the country.
I understand the US-Canada border cannot be secured entirely.
Judging by the deluge around the country, I cannot even imagine how upstate New York, Vermont, and New Hampshire are going to be affected.
Not to worry: We have our “border czar,” Vice President Kamala Harris, on the case.
Donna Skjeveland, Holbrook
Snow day question
High-school athletic directors canceled or postponed sporting events because of Tuesday’s surprise snow storm (“A matter of snow inches,” Feb. 13).
So why didn’t Gov. Hochul issue an executive order extending the special election for New York’s 3rd Congressional seat last week?
Thousand of constituents were unable to get to the polls to cast a vote due to the inclement weather.
Why not, then, help those voters exercise their constitutional rights?
Richard Siegelman, Plainview
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