Monday, November 17, 2025

News and Ideas Worth Sharing

Letters

The White House is not a stage set for self-promotion — it belongs to the American people

Donald Trump insists that the new gilded décor is meant to project “power” and “status” to foreign leaders, but real power is quiet. Real authority does not have to shout. The White House has always embodied that truth through subtle beauty.

Let’s make amends for our failure to honor George Washington’s promise

Despite the heroic actions of these 18th-century Native Americans, this country did disastrous and lasting damage to their descendants. Let’s recognize that true reconciliation will only begin when we listen, understand, and empathize.

Trump’s bad idea to replace the Affordable Care Act

Trump repeatedly says he will replace the Affordable Care Act with something better and finally announced an alternative, albeit a bad one.

The draft of proposed changes to Egremont’s zoning bylaws do not look good

It does not seem right to ask Egremonters to review and vote on these major changes during the Thanksgiving holiday period. What’s the rush?

Where is our congressman?

Jeromie Whalen of South Hadley has been in the Berkshires more in the last couple of months than Neal has been in the last couple of years.

Election day results

Red-state voters are hurt more by Trump policies than blue-state voters, so if MAGA faithful become aware of this, Republicans should not expect those voters to be sheep they intend to slaughter. That is the lesson of Nov. 4.

Democratic refocus

Voters' needs must be a priority.

In the wake of the Federal Government shutdown, just how resilient is Massachusetts?

The question remains whether Gov. Maura Healey will call for the release of a portion of these funds for the intended purpose to benefit citizens at a critical time of need or if politics will become the overriding concern.

Let’s feed our neighbors without letting our government off the hook

I believe we will do everything we can to feed our neighbors, but be very careful about the next step. Do NOTHING that lets our federal government off the hook. Do NOT pass a state or local initiative that allows them to duck their obligation.

The ingenuity and resourcefulness of Andrew Webster and Graphite Studio is a metaphor for what our society needs to do to survive and prosper

The ingenuity and resourcefulness of Andrew Webster and Graphite Studio is a model for all of us who hope to honor the best parts of our history while building a better and more just world.

Republicans are starving Americans

Republicans control both houses of Congress and the White House. They could end the government shutdown tomorrow if they chose. But they would rather hold low-income working Americans hostage than negotiate with Democrats.

Vote ‘Yes’ on Nov. 4 for a new Monument Mountain Regional High School

We need to build a new, much more energy-efficient, safe, and long-overdue high school now!

Vote ‘Yes’ to invest in our collective future

We often hear the adage "it takes a village to raise a child," and it holds a profound truth. Our children are not just our future; they are the individuals who will shape the very fabric of our community for years to come.

Scams targeting the elderly

If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Make the moral decision and vote ‘Yes’ to build a new Monument Mountain Regional High School

Even though I will not have any kids in this school system after my granddaughter graduates, I will not turn my back on the future of all the kids following her.

Behavioral health funding cuts will deepen a national crisis

These are not abstract numbers. They are the students struggling in silence, the parents trying to find help for a child in crisis, the older adults facing depression or addiction alone.

Where are the mothers of Republicans in Congress when we need them?

If I had abdicated my responsibility to those who elected me to Congress by participating in Trump's violations of his office, I would have received a slap in the face to remind me that I was an embarrassment to myself and my family.