Readers sound off on Mitt Romney and bike lanes

Readers sound off on Mitt Romney and bike lanes
Mitt Romney is facing criticism for his remarks about some Americans' supposed sense of entitlement. (Charles Dharapak/AP)

Mitt lacks respect for our troops

Manhattan: As we approach the fourth, very sad anniversary of our son Jason's death in Afghanistan while serving with the New York National Guard, we are shocked beyond belief by the actions and statements of Mitt Romney regarding our troops.


It was bad enough that he could find no time during his address at the Republican National Convention to even mention the young men and women still fighting on our behalf in Afghanistan. But now we learn about Romney telling rich donors that he has no use for the 47% of Americans who pay no federal income tax. Is he even aware that our brave soldiers overseas do not pay federal taxes while deployed?

We doubt it, because as someone who got numerous deferments during the Vietnam War, and whose sons have never volunteered to serve, he has had no exposure to the warrior class. Nevertheless, he appears very willing to send our troops off into another morass in Iran. Shame on Romney! Richard and Barbara von Zerneck

He's got some nerve

Manhattan: It is the height of chutzpah for Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney to attack those who do not pay taxes as moochers — as he does in his now-infamous "47%" remarks — considering the fact that he has not, by most accounts, paid his own fair share of taxes over the years .Reba Shimansky

Romney made a good point

Middle Village: Although I do admit that Mitt Romney might have chosen his words more carefully, truer words were never spoken. What he is referring to is the woman who, at my favorite butcher store, purchased 15 pounds of chicken cutlets and paid with a benefits card and the woman at my local supermarket who used food stamps to purchase her items, then proceeded to the parking lot and got into a late-model SUV that I could never afford. People like this see the government as their provider. Romney was right to criticize them, even if he did so with awkward language. Michael Machado

Mitt's right

Jamaica: I am not a Mitt Romney fan (nor am I a fan of President Obama, for that matter), but it's high time someone finally spoke the truth. Romney's recent comments regarding certain Americans' attitude of entitlement was right on track. There is a whole group of people in this country who feel they are entitled to government handouts . Sean Noriega


West Babylon, L.I.: The truth is that the rich always get richer, while the poor always stay poor. But if President Obama gets reelected, then the middle class will surely be joining the ranks of the poor very shortly. With the Obamacare taxes and welfare entitlements and out-of-control stimulus packages, who do you think is going pay for it? Not the rich, not the poor, but the working classes struggling to stay afloat. Kurt Sautter

The millionaire victim

Forest Hills: I wonder if Mitt Romney, who pays only a 13% effective tax rate on millions of dollars of income, believes that the government has victimized him and that he is entitled to more government tax loopholes. Eileen Moran

You were surprised?

Eastchester, N.Y.: I don't know why people are upset with what Mitt Romney said about the 47% of Americans he thinks are living off the government. Romney is the standard-bearer of the Republican Party, which doesn't give a damn for the average American. Carmine Masucci


Living legend

Alexandria, Va.: Re: Peter Dreier's "Want a hero? Look to Pete Seeger" (Op-Ed, Sept. 14): Seeger is an American treasure, the champion of the common man and a giant of folk music. As for his left-wing leanings, which some Voicers criticize, of course he's a left-winger — he dares to think. George Constantinidis

A smarter solution

Peekskill, N.Y.: When are banks and mortgage companies going to get that it is in their best interest to keep people in their homes? Rent the homes back to the buyers, with an option to buy again if the former owners get on their feet. In the long run, people stay in a house that will be taken care of, banks don't end up with houses that crumble and children sleep in their beds at night. Kathleen Kelly

World gone mad

Sleepy Hollow, N.Y.: Re "Rhode Island school district bans father-daughter, mother-son events" (, Sept. 18): Between this insane news, the abolishment of 32-ounce sodas in New York City establishments and the idiotic bike lanes now prevalent in Manhattan, I think it's time for Noah to start building his ark again. Roger Pascal

Loving the lanes

Manhattan: I cart my two young kids in a bike trailer all over Manhattan — to school, swimming class, play dates, etc. I am so thankful for the new protected bike lanes that are sprouting up around the city. They allow us to travel quickly and safely. If you've ever tried to get a 5- and 6-year-old to walk long distances, you know exactly what I mean. Judy Young

Simply unsafe

Manhattan: Thank you, Alexander Nazaryan, for risking your life biking 70 miles around the boroughs to demonstrate that screwball Bicycle Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan has turned our streets into a dangerous and lawless mess ("Vicious cycle," Op-Ed, Sept. 9). I join Voicers Stella L. Lay and Sami Mayner, who believe the busy and dense commerce capital of the world is not designed for an unlicensed, uninsured, irresponsible bike culture. Susie MacNamara

What a mess

Bronx: Kudos to Alexander Nazaryan for telling the truth about the insanity of Transportation Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan. I may add that her bike lanes, and the obstacle courses created to accommodate them, have shrunk our city and made it more claustrophobic. Virgilio Carballo

They share in Paris

Long Island City: Re Norman Steisel's "Time to backpedal on bike-share" (Op-Ed, Sept. 17): Steisel misses the point about the promise of bike sharing. The problem in Paris is that at rush hour in the morning, there's hardly a bike to share. All are taken. Locals are widely using the program, as are tourists. Bike-share is for everyone. Emmanuel Fuentebella

Leave me alone

Levittown, L. I.: Now my week is complete: I just received my phone call from "Rachel at Cardholder Services." I don't know how many times I have filed a complaint with the Do Not Call Registry, but Rachel keeps on calling. Am I the only one who has filed a complaint ? Is anyone home at the Do Not Call Registry, or is it just a paper tiger ?

John Kostynick

We can do better


Brooklyn: Re "Yes, New York City schools are improving," by Joel Klein (Op-Ed, Sept. 13): As a senior at the Leon M. Goldstein High School for the Sciences, I believe that New York City school "improvement" isn't something to really to be proud of. Even though statistics may show improvement in high school graduation rates, state test exams and math and federal exams, due to budget cuts, students aren't getting all the education they need for further study. Universities and colleges are spending billions of on courses that kids need to retake because they are not prepared. They should have done better in high school — and the responsibility for that falls on the Department of Education. Harutyun Khachatryan

She should be in jail

Brooklyn: Does Lindsay Lohan have compromising photos of a bunch of judges? What is it going to take to put this no-talent hack in a jail cell, where she belongs? She has been given of plenty of chances to turn her life around, but she continues to act like a spoiled brat. Does somebody have to die before she gets punished for her thoughtless, criminal behavior? Lock her up! Christopher Burner

Give the royals peace

Manhattan: To Voicer Catherine Mackay: Kate Middleton did not "drop her top in public," as you asserted. Quite to the contrary, she was staying in a private house. Do remember that some people lounge in their backyards in various states of dress or undress, so why not Kate? Also remember that this excuse for a photographer was three miles away with a huge telephoto lens, prying into the private lives of two people. Myra Armstrong