Regardless of its flaws, D.C. deserves vote in Congress Re: “District should clean up its own primary system first,” From Readers. Jan. 16.
Vernon Mallu’s letter reminded me of the days when the British colonies were trying to become independent. There was always one excuse after the other to prevent it.
For example, the colonies were told that they could not govern themselves because they did not have the educational infrastructure needed to educate their people. Or that their crime rate was too high. Once they overcame these objections, the British would just come up with other reasons why they could not grant them independence.
No state — whether the Democrats or the Republicans are in the majority — is perfect. But voting rights are the constitutional right of the people of the District of Columbia.
Some said Barack Obama’s campaign for the White House was also a fairy tale. Well, now he is the president of the United States.
Cargill Kelly
Manassas
Capitalism can work for everybody if we do it right
Re: “Don’t abandon capitalism,” Jan. 15
There is a sharp tone of opposition to capitalism by some in this country. Let me offer a real world example of a successful company in Tennessee that keeps union and non-union people consistently employed – and has done so for many years.
This medium-size electric contracting company hires non-union estimators/management to bid on projects. Once contracts are awarded, projects are assigned to union electricians who work for excellent wages and benefits. After the electricians are finished with a given project, they are assigned to another job with no lapse of work.
The company’s overall keys to success are having a solid and documented business plan, qualified and dedicated employees, a diversified work portfolio, good project management to keep costs contained, and amicable relationships with the IBEW. Above all, the company has an excellent reputation, pays its taxes and still has millions in annual revenue.
Capitalism can work. It just takes the brains and the brawn to do it right.
Kurt M. Kleier
San Francisco, Calif.
UDC’s accomplishments extend beyond basketball
Re: “UDC Firebirds burning up their basketball conference,” Jan. 12
Although much of what Harry Jaffe wrote about the University of the District of Columbia was positive, I was offended by his flippant comment that the only things good about UDC are our law school and nursing program (oh, and the Firebirds).
Jaffe evidently does not know how strong our Nutrition Program is, and how well our students perform in the field of dietetics and nutrition upon graduation. UDC is the only university in the District that enables students to meet the requirements to become registered dietitians through an accredited Didactic Program in Dietetics.
As a UDC faculty member, District resident and native Washingtonian, I am once again frustrated by media that do not provide context. I thought that an important role of reporters and columnists was to conduct some of their own research. If Jaffe had done so, he would have not disparaged so many excellent academic units of UDC that perform despite extremely limited resources.
B. Michelle Harris
Washington
