Keeping politics and friendships separate can be difficult | Letters

Opinion Editor Amelia Robinson asked whether we can maintain friendships with those who voted for the opposite presidential candidate this year. Being a Libertarian, a “no” answer would greatly restrict my circle of friends!
I have long been able to discuss politics calmly with people of all political persuasions, in part because I am neither Democrat or Republican; and I will stop a discussion when it starts to get in the way of a friendship.
That said, I am leery of engaging with a strong Trump Republican, because too often (not always), we are unable to agree even on basic values, such as respect for the Constitution. Without agreement on fundamentals, civilized discussion becomes impossible.
Harold D. Thomas, Columbus
In your recent opinion column, “Why 60% of people polled say friendships with Trump voters now impossible or iffy,” your question was, “What do you think?” So here goes. I guess this is a question that I’ve asked myself.
I am very opinionated when it comes to religion or politics, but I don’t argue about them. I am a white, male Baptist and used to be Republican. I am not a Democrat but am now Independent. My best friend is an old Army buddy who I’ve known for over 70 years. He’s an Italian, Catholic Democrat and I love him. I have friends who had a Trump sign in their yard. I have never voted for Trump and never will, but I’m not going to let their politics make my life miserable by hating them. I would hope that they would see the error of their ways and let it go; life is too short. 
Charlie M. Miller, West Jefferson
I have to agree with one aspect of Briones Bedell’s op-ed. I, too, found the Democrats’ messaging excessive. I felt hounded. Unlike Briones, I didn’t feel targeted because I am a woman or young (which I am not). I just felt overwhelmed with the volume. 
I honestly think that the hubris of thinking she was being solicited because she is a young woman is a little “precious.” One of the points I believe she is missing is that political messaging about reproductive rights is not about distilling it to body parts, but about other people controlling your medical decisions.
I guess I wonder why she felt that she was asked to support Kamala Harris because she is ” young, female and educated.” Everyone gets political messages. It is not just about her. I don’t want to demonize her. I just think she is wrong.
Holly Richard, Columbus
I am deeply concerned about Senate Bill 293/House Bill 445 and its potential to override the authority of local school boards by mandating release time for religious instruction during the school day. It is troubling that the legislature is considering such a measure that further blurs the crucial boundary between public education and religious instruction.
This bill appears to be a heavy-handed effort to enable certain well-funded conservative Christian organizations to promote their religious viewpoints during crucial school hours. Historically, such instruction has been reserved for times outside the school day — before or after school, or on weekends — where it appropriately belongs.
As I witness these continued encroachments into our children’s educational time, I can’t help but question the broader intentions behind these efforts, particularly as public funds increasingly support private and parochial religious institutions. This shift raises serious concerns about the commitment to preserving a strong, secular public education system and ultimately the separation of church and state that is embedded into our constitution.
Jay Zenitsky, Columbus
President-elect Trump is threatening to deport millions of immigrants. But why stop there? I suggest we deport all convicted felons. The sooner the better for all of us.
Susan B. West, Athens
The Dispatch article on former Mayor Coleman was very good. However, there is a part of his career that should be mentioned. He cared deeply about the people of Columbus and its citizens. I worked for him in several different capacities during all 16 years he was mayor.
Coleman cared deeply not only about Columbus, but also about its residents. He went out of his way to meet regular people and talk with them. Although there were many instances in which he stopped to talk with people, I remember some in particular.
The first one occurred on a spring morning when city workers were going around all areas of the city to clean up debris. Coleman was there in jeans, a sweatshirt and a ball cap. As we workers picked up trash, people came out of their homes to thank the mayor for helping to pick up the refuse. There were many handshakes and thank-yous because the citizens were surprised that their mayor was doing physical labor on a day when other mayors would have been relaxing.
On another occasion, Coleman spoke to a group of citizens about the need to raise taxes because the city was outgrowing its budget. He spoke for an hour. At the end, there were no questions, but the audience applauded the mayor for being straightforward. The mayor had also gone to civic associations around the city to explain the necessity of a tax hike, and the levy passed because Coleman took the time to talk to the people.
He will long be remembered.
Dick Graham, Columbus
I am writing to urge swift floor action and passage of the bipartisan Brown/Collins bill that would correct the longstanding financial inequities created by the “windfall” exclusion provisions of an ill-conceived Reagan-era bill that has been on the books for more than 40 years.The existing legislation denies millions, including thousands of Ohio recipients, of Social Security payments that they have rightfully earned and should have enjoyed for decades. The proposed bill corrects this error, and its limited retroactivity offers a budget-conscious solution.The proposal has widespread support in both houses of Congress and, I believe, could even survive a possible Senate filibuster. I can think of no more fitting tribute to Sen. Sherrod Brown’s legacy of working on behalf of average Americans than passage of the bipartisan Brown/Collins Social Security Windfall legislation, which would be a major legislative achievement in the waning months of the Senate’s current session and Democratic majority.Elliot E. Slotnick, Worthington
Rather than looking to the left and right before going down a central Ohio street in fear of being arrested, the Franklin County-City of Columbus program Tap in Center gives a chance for residents with outstanding warrants to clear their justice records. Big kudos to County Commissioners Erica Crawley, Kevin Boyce and John O’Grady for this forward-looking program that may spur citizens to address outstanding warrants and get the services they need to stay out of trouble.
Driver’s license suspension? Petty theft? Trespassing? Using our state-of-the-art library system as a safe space for this accountability program could work. One thing the majority of us can agree on is the need to focus the most law enforcement resources on keeping our community safe from violent crime.
Barb Seckler, Columbus