National primary would destroy grass roots candidate vetting Re: “It’s time to make presidential primaries more representative,” Jan. 1
Your editorial proposing “a one-day June [primary] in all 50 states,” or “rotating weekly primaries, beginning sometime in May,” would throw presidential politics into the hands of the fat cats.
As a retired political reporter who spent months slogging through frozen slush in Iowa and New Hampshire, I saw first-hand the value of this drawn-out, grass roots process. It gives candidates time to find their voices and sharpen their ideas under fire.
Starting in small states also gives little-known, underfunded politicians a way to compete that requires little more than a comfortable RV and a place to park for the night. Think Gary Hart or even Bill Clinton.
A national primary, or one involving an entire region, would shut out politicians who lack heavy backing from big labor, big business or wealthy elites. I don’t think voters, or The Washington Examiner editorial writers, would like the results.
John Dillin
Arlington
Black children still getting a sub-par education
Re: “Improved D.C. schools may breed racial conflict,” Nov. 4 & “D.C. charter schools succeed with poor kids,” Dec. 13
In his Nov. 4 column, Harry Jaffe pointed out that schools serving primarily black neighborhoods were not receiving the kind of modernization programs and education reforms that schools serving mostly white children were getting.
In his Dec. 13, column, Jaffe states that some charter schools in poor neighborhoods are highly successful. Perhaps these two observations are related.
A public school ought to be able to perform as well as a charter school, but it is well-known that Chancellor Kaya Henderson has been attempting to attract a higher percentage of white children to the public schools. What better way to accomplish that goal than to make black children uncomfortable and encourage them to transfer to charter schools?
Charles M. Bagenstose
Upper Marlboro
Editor’s Note: Charter schools are public schools, but are exempt from the system’s bureaucratic regulation.
America obsesses over sports – even on religious holidays
I wonder if The Washington Examiner has the temerity to publish the most politically incorrect letter it has ever received. Or do letters have to pass a litmus test?
I refer to America’s craziness regarding sports, which are even held on special religious holidays and Sundays set aside to honor God. Does this not violate the First Commandment?
I have no objection to holding sporting contests on the other six days, but not when we usurp His day in favor of contests whose distinct purpose is the glorification and deification of some men at the expense of others.
It is often said that the deepest and hottest pockets of hell are reserved for lawyers, but giving our national usurpation of God’s rightful place to sports, I wonder if we do not owe lawyers an apology.
Lawrence K. Marsh
Gaithersburg
