Letters to the editor

Jumping the line

Governor Baker and Edna Pruce, president of the Mass Senior Action Council, were right in calling out those who cut in line to get vaccinated before high-risk essential workers and vulnerable seniors. These people should be ashamed of themselves, but of course they’re not, because they are more important than others. Congress is quick to act when it’s in their best interest but when it comes to helping — serving the people who elected them, they turn the other way with total disregard. The welfare of those most in need to be vaccinated does not bother them at all. New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu was correct in calling this brazen act (which smells of pompous privilege) as “… outrageous … . And insulting.”

— Kevin Devlin,
Milton

Belichick’s changed

Coach William Stephen Belichick has really changed during this pandemic 2020 NFL season. Never heard him sing so many praises for Patriots QB Cam Newton before, no matter how poorly he plays week to week. In the past if player fumbled the football, that player would be benched for remainder of the game or worse — future games, this year didn’t see that. Coach Belichick is the GOAT and Brady leaving, key players opting out of playing this year because of coronavirus and the ever changing weekly shift in game scheduling are just a few reasons for him to act differently. I’m giving the coach a pass during this pandemic year and knowing 2021 will see the Patriots back on top and Super Bowl bound.

— Tony Meschini,
Scituate

Commentary correct

Wendy’s Murphy’s commentary in the Herald (“Help Elderly Before Inmates,” Dec. 29) is right on.

When did becoming a “senior citizen” mean that you don’t matter any more? Especially to our lawmakers!

When did the rules change that if you worked hard all of your life, followed the rules/laws, paid your bills, took care of your family, looked out for your neighbor and neighborhood, paid taxes, in other words was just a good citizen, life would be pretty good?

As a lifelong Massachusetts resident and now a senior citizen I practiced and lived by the above words. At times I even held three jobs to make ends meet and not go in debt. I am proud of how I was raised, proud of how I have lived my life, the jobs I have held and the person I am today.

Charlie Baker and many of our lawmakers have no idea of how Massachusetts senior residents live in today’s trying times. They are out of touch with the everyday citizen.

When was the last time Baker walked into a grocery store and had to look at the prices of groceries they put into their basket? How about going to the drug store for their prescriptions and worry about what the out of pocket cost will be? Not to mention the cost of other essentials that continue to rise as pension and Social Security checks remain relatively fixed.

Baker is so out of touch with his fellow residents in this state, especially the senior set of us, because he has not walked in our shoes.

My challenge to Baker and his fellow leaders is leave your plush settings and offices more often. Go into supermarkets, drug stores, or just go sit on a park bench incognito, and watch the persons you are supposed to lead and protect.

In other words try walking the walk and talk the talk … it might humble you and even make you a better person and governor.

— Laura Bogdanowicz,
East Longmeadow

from Boston Herald https://ift.tt/2X5b42G