In Cities, No Place for Partisan Politics

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/24/opinion/letters/trump-cities.html

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To the Editor:

Targeting cities based on partisan politics is a dangerous precedent. President Trump has been critical recently of “Democrat-run cities.”

But most cities, including Minneapolis, Portland, Ore., Seattle and Kenosha, Wis., are governed by mayors and councils that are elected without party affiliation.

Whether or not cities are governed by leaders elected through nonpartisan or partisan elections, they are expected to manage local affairs in a fair and evenhanded manner. They hire professional local government managers to help ensure that the day-to-day operations are handled in an ethical, efficient and transparent way.

For more than 100 years, our organizations have been helping cities reform their governance to effectively and professionally manage issues without the partisan bickering and dysfunction that we see at the federal level. As a result, trust in local government is twice as high as trust in our national government.

Every day, local leaders in cities and towns throughout the country report to work ready to tackle tough issues in collaboration with all residents of their communities and without bias toward a single political party. We need to work together as local and federal leaders to restore and heal American communities.

Clarence AnthonyMarc OttDoug LinkhartMr. Anthony is president of the National League of Cities. Mr. Ott is executive director, International City/County Management Association. Mr. Linkhart is president of the National Civic League.

To the Editor:

Re “Nursing Homes Seize Pretexts to Evict Poor” (front page, Sept. 20):

The allegations in the article are deeply troubling. Evicting older Americans from nursing homes and into psychiatric hospitals or emergency rooms is inhumane and a disturbing exploitation of psychiatric evaluations.

If their patients need mental health care, nursing homes are obligated to treat them, not throw them out.

Mental health diagnoses are not weapons, and using them as such increases the stigma and prejudice against people who need treatment. State authorities should thoroughly investigate these claims, and nursing homes should ensure that their patients have access to mental health treatment while in residence.

Saul LevinWashingtonThe writer is chief executive and medical director of the American Psychiatric Association.

To the Editor:

Re “Best Sellers Sell the Best” (Sunday Business, Sept. 20):

With publishers preordaining certain titles as likely successes, the homogenization of literary culture is particularly problematic.

Publishing is one of the least diverse industries in the country. We all saw the pent-up frustration when “American Dirt” was released. Now, nine months later, Penguin Random House’s work force remains 79 percent white.

The focus on the bottom line is concerning as well. Our literary gatekeepers should not be “data-driven, hit-focused and efficient” at the expense of creativity and raising unheard voices. Especially when our country is so divided and racial injustice is in the spotlight, our literature needs to help us expand our thinking and learn from one another.

The bottom line may be a reality, but the importance of celebrating our diversity and ensuring that we can all read about ourselves and learn about differences is no less important, and maybe more so.

Jennifer RisherSan FranciscoThe writer is the author of “We Need to Talk: A Memoir About Wealth.”

To the Editor:

Re “Trump’s Aid to Puerto Rico Comes 3 Years After Storms” (news article, Sept. 19):

Seriously?

I guess President Trump just realized that all those Puerto Ricans who moved to Florida after Hurricane Maria will be voting in the upcoming election.

I have a message for him. A little too late, Mr. President. A little too late.

Marielys Camacho-ReyesHaines City, Fla.