Readers sound off on states’ power, Fauci’s 5th pleas and Pope Leo’s heritage

Federal power grows, but so can states’

Clifton Springs, N.Y.: The July banner stunt on the Empire State Building saw a message that sparked conversation across New York City: “When the power of love beats the love of power, the world knows peace.” Whether one agreed with the stunt or not, the message highlighted an issue that affects every New Yorker. When too much power is concentrated in too few hands, conflict becomes inevitable.

NYC increasingly finds itself caught between local priorities and federal authority. From immigration and transportation to housing, public safety and energy policy, decisions made in Washington often have immediate consequences here. As administrations change, priorities change. Communities are left to adapt.

The problem is not that political leaders disagree. It’s that Washington has accumulated so much power that each election can dramatically alter the rules governing states, cities, businesses and families. When authority becomes concentrated at the federal level, every election becomes a fight for that power. The Founders anticipated this danger and included a constitutional remedy. An Article V Convention of States allows state legislatures, including New York’s in Albany, not Congress, to propose amendments that can impose fiscal restraints, limit federal power and restore balance between Washington and the states. This would reduce the stakes of national political battles and allow communities to pursue solutions that better reflect their own needs. If New Yorkers want less conflict and greater stability, limiting the concentration of power is a good place to start.

Brooklyn: As the war with Iran continues, our president seems to change his intentions from one moment to another. It is truly frightening to know that President Trump has control over the so-called nuclear football carried by an aide wherever he goes. Trump has shown over and over again that he’s far too mercurial and vindictive to be allowed to hold the fate of the entire world in his hands. What can be done to put our leader in some kind of restraint? He has been acting in a frightening manner ever since his attacks on Iran haven’t produced the immediate success he’s always bragging about.

Brooklyn: Republicans in Congress, along with Fox News and other right-wing media outlets, are denouncing Dr. Anthony Fauci for taking the Fifth Amendment 111 times in his appearance before a McCarthyist Senate investigative panel headed by the unhinged Sen. Rand Paul. Yet, these same people were silent when Trump took the Fifth more than 440 times in August 2022 during an investigation by the New York attorney general into his shady business practices. Gee, I wonder why!

Manhattan: You editorialize in favor of nonpartisan primaries (“Mamdani charter panel tries to stop open primaries,” July 30) but fail to note that Mayor Mike Bloomberg pushed that in 2003 and only got 30% of voters to support the change. Open primaries benefit wealthy candidates who want to hide their affiliations. Party identification is one of the few bits of concrete information we voters have when making judgments about candidates. If you don’t like the fact that in NYC, a Democratic primary win is often — but certainly not always — tantamount to election, organize your own party with more appeal.

Brooklyn: It seems that his honor the mayor has a new enemy of the people: anybody who has achieved success (“Mamdani defends tax hit,” July 30). You’ve been forewarned that he’s not only after people who have houses and second apartments; he’ll be after everybody else who has a home. Not only will he destroy the home market, but he’ll tax everybody to death to pay for all the freebies. The history of socialism has taught us that the real victims are average people — the working person who struggles to make ends meet. Socialism destroys. Just look what Joseph Stalin or Mao Zedong did, and what happened in Eastern Europe, where the body count was composed of average working people.

Staten Island: I’m sick to death of comments from Voicers like Jack Weinberg, an obvious anti-Muslim bigot wanting Gov. Hochul to have our mayor removed from office with a bogus claim of hatred of NYC Jews. You, sir, aren’t even trying to veil your hatred and bigotry anymore. The most recent poll puts support for our mayor among Jewish voters at 36%. How dare you make up lies to support your ridiculous claims, providing zero proof. Zohran Mamdani received enough votes from NYC residents to become our mayor. He is greatly respected and loved by many, so stop acting like a petulant child who didn’t get their way. It’s getting quite tiresome with you one-trick ponies.

Staten Island: According to Voicer Roberta Chaleff, we lost New York. I assume you’re referring to our having elected Mamdani as our mayor? I say “our” because we voted for him, and most of us who have lived here all our lives are quite happy with our choice, and are amazed and proud of the good he’s doing for the people of the city. He’s acting more Christian than any of the red MAGA hats in D.C. (or in Florida, where you’re from). Please try to keep your red-state hatreds and prejudices confined within your borders, and leave the rest of us in peace. You don’t live here, and you have no business poking your nose into situations that don’t concern you. You are, of course, entitled to your own closed-minded opinions, ignorant as they are. But the rest of us don’t want to hear them.

Brooklyn: Does anyone find it reprehensible that Public Advocate Jumaane Williams spoke out on the tragedy of the 17-year-old e-biker killed in a crash with an SUV, but we heard deafening silence from him about the 12-year-old killed by a ruthless gang member while riding his bike on a beautiful summer day!? It’s disgusting that he continually supports these criminals. New York is a criminal’s playground, and the loss of our youngest people killed by constant violence is truly unbelievable and unacceptable!

Staten Island: Re “Taking from needy” (July 29): After her and her boyfriend’s convictions on wire fraud charges involving more than $600,000, Queens Defenders founder Lori Zeno addressed Brooklyn Federal Court Judge Rachel Kovner, stating that she is not stupid and is intelligent, a good person and accomplished. Well, you could’ve fooled me.

Bronx: I guess all the racists and white supremacists are chewing off their right legs after hearing Pope Leo say on NBC News on Wednesday night that he’s descended from slaves and enslavers. That means he falls within the “one drop” rule. You know, the American rule that said if you had one drop of “Negro blood,” you were Negro. So we have a Black pope! How wonderful. Thanks be to God!…Read more by Voice of the People