Letter to the editor: Attacking our community programs

Editor’s note: The Portager publishes letters to the editor from the community. The opinions expressed are published not because they necessarily reflect those of the publication but because we feel they contribute meaningfully to the local discourse on matters of public interest.

I just saw the powerful musical about the 9/11 attacks on the US from outside forces, “Come From Away.” It told the story about nearly 6,600 passengers on 38 flights that were suddenly grounded in Newfoundland for nearly a week when US airspace was closed. The “Newfies” welcomed, and generously cared for people from all over the world.

We are once again being attacked, but this time from within. This time our 250-year-old democracy is collapsing. We, the people, are evidently powerless to defend it. Congress, the “legislative” body, appears to be impotent. All the new rules, mandates, commands, demands, and threats are originating in the executive branch. What, exactly, is Congress’ role?

This internal attack on the US in unprecedented. Twenty semi-truck loads of food for the Cleveland Food Bank, worth about 1 million dollars, has been canceled. The Akron Canton Regional Foodbank, which serves several Portage County community programs and food pantries, including Kent Social Services, Windham, Streetsboro, Riverwood Community Chapel, Center of Hope, has had a million pounds of food canceled. State Health Departments have just lost 12 billion dollars in funding that would have been used to help track and control infectious diseases, and fund programs related to mental health and addiction services. The impact on Portage County communities will be dire.

Tens of thousands of federal employees have been let go without cause. Public Broadcasting (NPR and PBS), which serves Portage County and all of NE Ohio, is being threatened because of “bias.” (Could that be said about Fox)? Dismantling the Department of Education to give responsibility back to the states is absurd. Ohio ranks 21st in K-12 education, 46th in equitable distribution of funding, and 40th in starting teacher salaries. Nothing to brag about.

Other signs of disintegration of our democracy include attacks on the judiciary, challenges to academic freedom, firings of inspectors general, and threats to law firms. Consider blatant disinterest in the unbelievable national security breach on the “group chat,” heartless deportations, destructive tariffs, disregard for our very citizens, disrespect for our former friends and allies, and so much more.

Are we just going to sit and take it? Are we going to let our brilliant experiment called “Democracy” fail because we have allowed ourselves to be rendered powerless?

I’m wondering if Newfoundland has room for lots of permanent residents….

—Deborah Barber, Kent