色多多

I have lived in various places during my lifetime, and I can honestly say I have never met a more attentive congressman focused on the needs of his constituents than Rob Wittman.

Recent editorials and letters to the editor would have you believe Wittman is avoiding his constituents. There is nothing further from the truth. Wittman can be seen throughout the 1st District, whether it be a senior living facility, visiting hospitals, student groups, businesses or holding a telephone town hall with thousands of people. Wittman does not shy away from tough questions or people who disagree with him.

These editors are upset with Wittman because of Trump鈥檚 spending cuts and immigration policies. They think if they threaten Wittman, he will buckle in his support of Trump. But they are forgetting this is what the American people voted for last November.

Wittman believes like Trump that we cannot continue spending money we don鈥檛 have. Our national debt is $36 trillion, and this level of spending threatens the long-term stability of critical programs like Social Security and Medicare and jeopardizes our children鈥檚 future.

This isn鈥檛 a new idea. Former President Barack Obama proposed a freeze on government spending and pledged to root out inefficiencies and duplication of services. He deported three million undocumented immigrants, most without a chance to plead their cases in court.

Former President Bill Clinton cut 400,000 jobs from the federal workforce and deported 12 million. Donald Trump is doing the same by issuing executive orders to root out duplication and waste across federal agencies and deporting illegal immigrants.

These editors and writers apparently forgot about the Obama and Clinton policies they once voted for and supported.

Gail Mitchell

Hardyville

Protect children from 鈥榝amily fire鈥�

I was horrified to read in the Richmond Times-Dispatch about a 3-year-old toddler in Chesterfield County who fatally shot himself with an unsecured gun (鈥淐hesterfield man charged after 3-year-old boy accidentally shoots, kills himself,鈥� May 2).

He was visiting a family friend. Sadly, statistics confirm that more children, from birth to age 17, are killed by guns than by any other means (i.e. disease, car wrecks). Brady, the oldest gun violence prevention organization in America, promotes June 21 as ASK Day, or 鈥淎sking Saves Kids Day.鈥�

All of us, gun owners and non-gun owners alike, have a role in preventing family fire. Family fire refers to a shooting that results from someone misusing an unsecured firearm taken from or used in the home. Unintentional shootings, firearm suicide and many intentional shootings are all forms of family fire.

Safe gun storage practices can significantly reduce fatalities among toddlers, children and youth. Gun locks and safes are easily purchased from gun stores and online. Some gun safes are small enough to house a pistol and sit on a bedside table. Biometric gun safes are sold for under $100 and can be preprogrammed to be opened only by the owner鈥檚 fingerprint.

Over these summer months, if children are not at home, they are likely to be on a play date or staying with a relative. Please remember to ask before you drop off a child: 鈥淚s there a gun in the home? If so, is it secured?鈥� There are ways to ask that question that are not in any way offensive. For instance, 鈥淢y child is inordinately curious. If you own a gun, can you make sure it is stored safely?鈥�

Asking simple questions can help ensure that our youngest population lives and thrives.

Rev. Gay Einstein

Richmond

Millions at risk of losing health care

Millions of Americans are at risk of losing access to health care as Congress is considering a budget package with the largest Medicaid cuts in history.

Medicaid, a joint federal and state program, is the single largest source of health coverage in the country. Nearly 72 million Americans, including children, seniors, pregnant people, working families with limited income and resources and people with disabilities rely on Medicaid for essential care, including doctor visits, hospitalizations, long-term care, maternity care, mental health care and rural clinic services.

The current budget proposal requires the House Committee on Energy and Commerce to cut $880 billion over 10 years. As 93% of the committee鈥檚 non-Medicare mandatory spending is on Medicaid, a substantial portion of these cuts will be to Medicaid. This will require the states to raise revenues, cut spending elsewhere or reduce Medicaid coverage.

Medicaid ensures that Americans have access to basic health care regardless of their economic status or disability. Research shows that Medicaid coverage is associated with improved health, lower rates of disability in adulthood, less medical debt and long-term financial benefits for society.

Medicaid has broad bipartisan support with 77% of Americans holding a favorable view of the program. Polling also shows that cutting federal Medicaid funding is wildly unpopular across political affiliations.

We must protect Medicaid for the millions who rely on it. Tell Congress not to endanger the health of our country.

Joan Porte, president of the League of Women Voters of Virginia

Richmond

鈥楬ateful rhetoric鈥� toward Trump? How absurd

Is he kidding or just oblivious? Just like Trump, George Cranford鈥檚 letter to the editor (鈥淪top the hateful rhetoric toward Trump,鈥� May 28) is filled with inaccuracies and vitriol toward anyone not in his camp.

Cranford condemns without facts to support his accusations, yet calls for everyone who doesn鈥檛 think like him to tone it down. Mr. Cranford, can you not see the hypocrisy?

One of the biggest problems in our country 鈥� the divisiveness 鈥� is a direct result of Trump鈥檚 rise to power. I cannot think of anyone who鈥檚 rhetoric is more hateful than Trump鈥檚.

I offer these headlines as examples: 鈥溾�楬ate speech鈥� a common theme of Trump鈥檚 presidency鈥� 鈥� USA Today; 鈥淭rump鈥檚 attacks on political adversaries are often followed by threats to their safety鈥� 鈥� The Washington Post; 鈥淭rump鈥檚 attacks on Local Officials are Spearheading Hatred鈥� 鈥� The New Yorker; 鈥淎BC News finds 54 cases invoking Trump in connection with violence, threats, alleged assaults.鈥� The list goes on.

Just recently Trump wished a happy Memorial Day to 鈥渢he scum that spent the last four years trying to destroy our country.鈥� Now, tell me that鈥檚 not hateful, not to mention totally unnecessary on a day that we are supposed to be honoring those who sacrificed for our country. And presidential? Hardly.

Trump spent years vilifying former Presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden. He鈥檚 still insulting Biden every chance he gets. Why? Biden is no longer in power, no longer an opponent who might unseat him. Trump鈥檚 vindictiveness is truly over the top.

You say, Mr. Cranford, that 鈥渨e are better than that.鈥� I鈥檇 like to think so but you, like Trump, are not helping to make that a reality. Try practicing what you preach.

Lucia Malon

Petersburg

Wittman focuses on the issues that matter

As a young Virginian, I often hear people say my generation is disengaged from politics, but I wholeheartedly disagree. We care deeply about the future of our communities, our economy and our country, and we pay attention to the leaders who continue to show up and do the work.

Congressman Rob Wittman has consistently focused on the issues that matter to young people. From promoting career and technical education to working for affordable energy solutions, he鈥檚 creating opportunities for the next generation. At a time when college tuition and the cost of living continue to rise, efforts to strengthen trade programs and support small businesses give young Virginians more options to succeed.

Even in an off-election year, Congressman Wittman hasn鈥檛 slowed down. While some politicians disappear between campaigns, he continues working on legislation that directly impacts our communities. Public service should not be about the next election. It should be about delivering results year-round, and that is exactly what he is doing.

Young people deserve leaders who prioritize long-term solutions and invest in our future. Thank you to Congressman Wittman for his hard work on behalf of my generation and for his commitment to building a better, stronger Virginia.

Helen Sharpe

Glen Allen