Letters: Stand together in solidarity against hate; Bail disparities

Stand together in solidarity against hate

The League of Women Voters of Centre County (LWVCC) absolutely and emphatically denounces the hateful acts that occurred on Saturday, Sept. 30 when vile messages targeting Jews were thrown into people’s yards under cover of darkness. There is no place for this kind of vitriol anywhere in our country. It is something a few are trying to resurrect from another century and is a reflection of the current hateful political extremism that has not only been seen, but unfortunately encouraged, in our country for several years. This toxic extremism is poisoning our civil discourse and the ability to disagree peacefully. It divides our nation and opens the country to aggression from our adversaries who see our divisiveness as weakness.

It will take all of us to make sure our voices are heard through calling out hate when we see or hear it. It will also take all of us to make sure we vote out of office any current or potential purveyors of hate across this great country of ours. The LWVCC stands in solidarity with our Jewish neighbors and friends in welcoming different races, religions and ethnicities. When we stand together in solidarity against hate, it makes our entire country stronger and more resilient. That is the power of solidarity.

Bail disparities

How is it that the man accused of vehicular homicide is released on $3M bail and ankle monitor, while the person charged with breaking and entering a private residence, bloodying both husband and wife and saying, “I will kill you!” is released on $50,000 bail? I understand that Ahmed Alqubaisi, a foreign national, may be a flight risk, but the other is a threat to society. Excuse me! “I will kill you” in your own home and set free on $50,000!

Democracy ... or not

Far more is at stake in our elections these days than how a candidate intends to address any given issue. Elections have become a test of our commitment to American democracy.

Think about it. We’re becoming a country where book banning, voter suppression and political intimidation are condoned. We abide laws enabling politicians to pick their voters (rather than the other way around) and also laws permitting them to overturn election results.

While individual issues certainly matter, whether we live in a democracy or autocracy will determine if and how those issues are addressed. Do we want to live in a society where individuals have a voice, or not? ... where facts matter and truth is important, or not?... where every individual can expect to be treated fairly and equally, or not? ... where the institutions of government can be used to serve the needs of the people, or not?

Democracy rests on the belief that people can unite together for the benefit of everyone even when they don’t always agree. That is why is it so critical that citizens living in democracies are able to express and debate ideas freely. Authoritarian governments don’t want this. Which is why they restrict information and use alternative truths, self serving laws, and violence to control their citizenry. Ask Vladimir Putin.

So, regardless of how we personally prioritize voting issues, each of us needs to ask ourselves this question before we vote next month: “Are my voting choices helping to preserve our democracy or to end it?”