Unions

Re “ For shame ” (Your Views, May 5): The letter by the widow of a former Virginia Beach fire chief decried how City Council members should be “on scene” at the next disaster because public employees didn’t get collective bargaining.

At the collective bargaining meeting I was taken by how many seats were empty. Surely if our city workers were so grossly underpaid, mistreated or disrespected, I dare say the council chambers would have been packed to overcapacity and people would have been spilling into the street, like during the Second Amendment question that was before the council.

As a lifelong resident of Virginia Beach, I’m proud of the job our council has done to address pay issues, and it has consistently delivered for city employees. Just two years ago, council approved a “step” program to address pay compression issues in our first responder community and continues to subsidize a benefits package that is indeed very attractive. Coupled with comprehensive training for first responders, cost of living raises and a taxpayer-funded retirement plan where employees must only contribute a small amount toward their own retirement, a job with the city is a pretty attractive proposition.

On the other hand, former Minneapolis police Officer Derek Chauvin, who was once part of a union, had numerous complaints filed against him over the course of his career. Police union rules can make it difficult for police administrators to reassign or terminate someone’s employment. Do we want union officials protecting bad actors, potentially jeopardizing taxpayers and citizens?

Animal testing

Re “ EVMS research aims to save the lives of women and babies ” (Other Views, April 27): There are several computer-simulated animal modules used through the world in medical research science, obviating the need for live animal research. My question is, are these poor animals sedated while undergoing live vivisection, mere miles from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals? Then they are humanely euthanized? But by what method? He concludes that there is no other choice. But I say, oh there really, really is.

Nostalgia

If you are nostalgic about four years ago, when toilet paper and groceries were hard to find, many Americans were dying of COVID-19 and the president was suggesting people inject bleach into their bodies, the unemployment rate was at 13%, the stock market was crashing, and the national debt was exploding — then you know who you should vote for.

If you are rooting for Russia to enslave Ukraine and believe House Speaker Mike Johnson isn’t a real Christian because he helped President Joe Biden give funds to fight Russia — then you know who you should vote for.

If you think former Sen. John McCain was a sucker, not a hero; if you think all of those who serve in the military are losers — then you know who you should vote for.

If you want your children to grow up to be like former President Donald Trump, you know who you should vote for. If you are disappointed former Vice President Mike Pence was not hanged on Jan. 6, 2021, you know who you should vote for. If you think it is patriotic to attack our Capitol to prevent the peaceful transition of power, you know who you should vote for.

If you don’t think Trump has ever done anything wrong, but you want him to be shielded from prosecution for any crime he has committed or might commit, you know who you should vote for.

If you have doubts about any of the above, for God’s sake vote for Biden.