credit card
“Biden Administration Will Limit Credit Card Late Fees to $8 as Part of Campaign Against Junk Fees” (March 5): Action taken by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau will reduce excessive credit card fees. Now that late fees have been banned, you can celebrate being able to accept all US credit cards. This comes after years of work by organizations such as Virginia Organizing.
The department has lowered some late fees to just $8. The new rules also eliminate the practice of automatic reconciliation by financial institutions. It is required to prove mathematically why adjustment is necessary. The final rule represents a $220 annual savings for the approximately 45 million people who are charged late fees and will take effect 60 days after publication in the Federal Register.
This action proves that with the right leadership, government institutions can work in the interests of average citizens, and that organizations like the Virginia Organizing are so important in a democracy. There is.
Janice E. Johnson, Virginia Sponsor Hampton/Newport News Chapter Member, Hampton
not the same
“Robinson is 'better than Martin Luther King,' Trump claims” (March 4): At a recent campaign rally in North Carolina, former President Donald Trump spoke out against North Carolina's governor. Regarding North Carolina Lieutenant Governor Mark Robinson, who is running for office, he declared: 2024 is “Martin Luther King on steroids.” And Trump told Robinson, “I think you're better than Martin Luther King.”
President Trump's efforts to use this type of rhetoric to secure the support of black voters are reprehensible. I am reminded of the now famous exchange between Lloyd Bentsen and Dan Quayle during the 1988 vice presidential debate. When Quayle compared himself to former President John F. Kennedy, Bensen responded, “Senator, you're no Jack Kennedy.”
Robinson, don't be fooled. You are not Martin Luther King Jr. Trump's attempts to deceive voters will hopefully fall on deaf ears.
Stephen C. Jones, former Superintendent of Norfolk Public Schools, Norfolk
vote wisely
In the 2024 election season, there are two issues that just matter and two that really matter.
Immigration is important. We are a nation of immigrants, and our immigration system has been abolished. This problem will not be fixed soon, as Republicans want to crush the Democratic Party in order to crush it, while prolonging human tragedy at the border and within the United States. Immigration issues are not expected to be fixed until after the election.
Gaza is important. Genocide is horrifying, but all wars end. U.S. pressure will eventually lead to a ceasefire and reconstruction. Peace will not come soon in the Middle East, especially with Iran stirring up trouble, but American diplomacy is essential to lowering the temperature.
Economy is essential. Thirty years of “trickle-down” economics have torn apart the middle class and left economic mobility in a quagmire. Although it will take time, “Bidenomics'' aims to restore a “trickle-up'' economy. A healthy and fair economy is the basis for restoring faith in democracy and capitalism.
Peace in Europe is essential. In the 20th century, we learned that America's security and peace are inextricably tied to Europe. Alliances with European democracies have deterred war since 1945. This is one of the longest periods of peace in European history. Today, even in the face of Russian aggression, the Republican Party has suddenly and inexplicably turned toward 1930s-style isolationism, if not outright support for Russia. Former President Donald Trump's admiration for Russian President Vladimir Putin and bullish China Shop style diplomacy all but ensure future misjudgments and war between nuclear forces.
These are the stakes. America, it's your choice.
Bob Killebrew, Newport News
constitutional republic
I'm surprised that I keep hearing opinions about the United States being a democracy, such as “We must protect democracy.'' Some supposedly intelligent people and politicians repeat this over and over again. The United States of America was not designed to be a democracy, is not a democracy, and has never been a democracy. These people need to read the U.S. Constitution.
We are a constitutional republic. As forms of government, there are considerable differences between a constitutional republic and a democracy. I learned this many years ago in high school. Perhaps some elected officials, from the president down, need to take some basic government classes to learn about the type of government they represent.
Volpe Boykin, Carsville
student loan
The president continues to call for the elimination of student debt. No one forced them to sign for student loans. There are other ways to receive free education and educational assistance. Student loan cancellation should be limited to the medical field and teachers who teach below high school. These are specialties that are important to keeping America competitive and providing needed services to people of all ages. Many people are retiring soon, and we don't have the numbers or skill sets to replace them.
We have enough majors in law, business, sports, etc. whose purpose is to promote themselves, rather than majors whose purpose is to provide an important service such as teaching the minds of the future. there is. We need to educate and provide the necessary resources to those who provide us with health.
Larry Wexler, Virginia Beach
