We endorsed another candidate, then reality in Miami’s 27th District sunk in | Opinion

Strategic shift

Public endorsements reflect judgment and responsibility. They are not made casually. When circumstances change, we must reassess what best serves this community. That is why we moved our support to Eliott Rodriguez for Congress in Florida’s 27th District.

We come from local government, criminal justice, education and the state legislature, yet reached the same conclusion: This district needs a representative with the trust, credibility and community standing to win and serve effectively.

For residents, the stakes are personal and immediate: soaring housing costs, crushing insurance, the strain of high food and gas prices, seniors’ concerns, our children’s future — and defending our democracy when it is under enormous threat. We initially supported another candidate. We respect his record, but our understanding of what this moment requires has changed.

For nearly five decades, Rodriguez has been a trusted presence in South Florida, covering hurricanes, downturns, triumphs and challenges with fairness. Families know him not as a political figure, but as someone they have trusted in their living rooms. That trust cannot be manufactured; it is earned. In a district of independent-minded voters wary of politics as usual, it matters.

Winning in November requires a candidate who can defeat the failed incumbent and connect across communities, generations and party lines. Rodriguez is uniquely positioned to do that and prepared to serve with seriousness and purpose.

After thoughtful consideration, we believe Rodriguez is best equipped to win this seat and serve the people of the 27th District in Congress.

Mike Davey,

former Key Biscayne mayor,

Joe Geller,

board member,

Miami-Dade County School Board,

Carlos Martinez,

Miami-Dade Public Defender,

Juan-Carlos “J.C.” Planas,

former state representative

Time to prosecute

Members of Congress listened to Jeffrey Epstein survivors recently in Palm Beach. A better use of everyone’s time would be to amend the Epstein Transparency Act to allow state attorneys general access to the entire file, so they can bring state criminal actions in their own jurisdictions.

New Mexico has requested this access, but the Department of Justice has not allowed it. Florida, New York, New Jersey, Ohio and South Carolina are also locations where potential crime occurred. The AGs of those states should be allowed to review all the evidence, including videos of crime being committed, so they can run facial recognition to identify perpetrators and bring them to justice.

Rather than making survivors go through yet another dog and pony show, why don’t we make use of the raw criminal evidence we already have and put it in the hands of prosecutors who will do something with it?

Linda Falcao,

Baltimore, MD

Struggle continues

For those who have not bought into the definition of equality espoused by President Trump, Gov. Ron DeSantis and the U.S. Supreme Court, Miami Herald sports columnist Greg Cote’s May 14 exposition, “Florida’s escalated fight with NFL mirrors broader attack on DEI,” regarding the Rooney Rule, is inspirational.

An enlightened public must carry on the fight for those for whom discrimination remains a stark reality.

Richard Masington,

Coral Gables

Targeting activists

My thanks to Miami Herald reporter Lauren Costantino’s excellent May 13 story, “Miami Beach commissioner funded billboards targeting activists: court filing,” on the awful stunt funded by Commissioner David Suarez. The well written story outlined clearly what he did and why. His slanderous words, however, are clearly not appropriate for a public servant.

The commissioner abused his authority with his actions. He should resign.

Criticism of the horrific actions of the state of Israel is not antisemitic. We do have the right, at least for now, to express our indignation and urge our own government to cease supporting — with our tax money — any country violating the Leahy law.

This is an important story and the Herald’s coverage is appreciated.

Marty Rajandran,

Miami

Health conditions

Re: Merrill Mathews’ May 14 op-ed, “We can’t afford to let Dems lead on health care.” Democrats have been attempting a universal health care plan, similar to what many other countries offer their own people, since the 1960s. Healthcare was considered an “inalienable right,” not something to be bought and sold like some kind of widget.

Former President Richard Nixon got the ball rolling (in the wrong direction, of course) by tying healthcare to insurance from an employer as a “benefit.” Since then, when Democrats have tried to make the lives of most Americans a little less brutal, Republicans have shot it down.

Former President Barack Obama felt he had a sure-fire winner to help many people. He would use essentially the same plan that Republican Mitt Romney put in place as governor of Massachusetts. A deeply flawed Obamacare program helped millions of Americans lead better lives and of course, Republicans attacked it.

They never once offered an alternative, except perhaps, in the words of former Democratic U.S. Rep. Alan Grayson: Don’t get sick or injured, but if you do, die quickly before you become bankrupt.

Alan Thomas,

Miami

Impressive number

For 47 years, the Iranian regime has chanted, “Death to America” and “Death to Israel.”

Who will put an end to it?

Our 47th President, Donald J. Trump.

Jay J. Kaba,

Miami

Safe shopping

Upon reading the May 10 Miami Herald story, “Publix changes open-carry policy in its Florida grocery stores,” I was relieved to learn that Publix is asking for no open-carry of firearms, aside from law enforcement.

I am a gun violence survivor. It helps to know that I won’t be met with a pistol when shopping for Froot Loops and bananas.

A special thanks to Publix for looking at public safety in their stores.

Connie Goodman-Milone,

Miami

Societal impact

Sociology was a popular college major for thousands of students (including myself) over the years. Sociology encompassed classes on human civilization, interaction, communication, traditions, social institutions and relationships. This prepared students for careers in areas such as social work, public health, political science and education, to provide needed services to people in all areas of life. Sociology raised our insightfulness about the life of others and the challenges humankind faced to survive and be productive.

Omitting sociology from college classes destroys the democratic fabric of our society by narrowing our perceptions of humankind to fit into the prescribed acceptance of what human nature and people are supposed to be and look like. Sociology is wrongly seen as promoting a “socialistic” form of government and that seems to be the reason for abolishing this significant field of study.

Sociology benefits everyone, teaches empathy and ways to live together harmoniously to form a society — a “more perfect union” — which cares about all its people in all situations. Sociology is not political. Removing it from college curricula erases further understanding of humankind and innovative ways we can build healthy communities together. Sociology should be a required course to unite our country instead of dividing us with misinformation.

Canceling sociology reflects total disrespect and a misunderstanding for all who have built on our studies to give back to society positively. Sociology is an integral part of a liberal arts education, furthering one’s knowledge and respect for diverse cultures and is not intended to further a political agenda.

Holly Zwerling,

Miami

Skin scam?

Repair cream for aging skin?

Try naming the products “Taking-Advantage-of-Older-People-cream, -lotion, -fixative, -legal scam curative,” or simply, “Snake Oil.”

It is long past time to regulate and admit skin discoloration is not vanity but needs clinical supervised care and license and insurance coverage.

Linda Hamburger,

Boca Raton