In his Oct. 29 letter “Assumptions about male voters,” David G. Whiteis indicates that Donald Trump-leaning working-class male voters are upset that their male identity as the primary financial support for their families has been eroded by the concept of women’s equality. Undoubtedly, this may be true for insecure men who are afraid of the strength of women. Hopefully, since middle-aged and younger men have grown up during the women’s rights movement, they are comfortable with considering female friends, co-workers and life partners as their equals. If a man is intimidated by his equality with women, then it is time for him to think clearly and logically about the many advantages of sharing life’s triumphs and burdens equally with the other half of the human race. It makes life easier, not more difficult. — H.B. Weindorf, Northbrook In response to three letters Letter writer David G. Whiteis says people — men in particular — who consider their traditional role being threatened don’t like to be mocked or labeled because their self-image and identity have revolved around their roles as breadwinners, and those days are gone. So men are expected to vote for a 34-count criminal and someone found liable for sexual assault? And they can’t vote for a woman? Women should never be subservient to men in politics or anywhere else. I have five sisters and five sisters-in-law and many aunts, nieces and female cousins. Many of them are accomplished women. If they were running for office, I would vote for them with pride against any man as long as they are law-abiding citizens. As for Dan Schuchardt of Glen Ellyn (“‘Democracy on the ballot,'” Oct. 29), the United States is a capitalist country, and Vice President Kamala Harris has said that she, too, is a capitalist. Schuchardt fails to realize that no country in the world is 100% capitalist. Here in the U.S., Social Security and Medicare are socialist programs. The U.S. could be more of a capitalist country if not for the blatant racism that permeates our great nation. Finally, as for Charles VanDercamp of Kirkwood, Missouri (“Time for different leadership,” Oct. 29), the 60% who say the country is headed in the wrong direction — whatever that means — are heading in that direction of their own volition. So don’t follow the so-called 60%, whoever they are! — William B. Wyatt, Palos Heights Workers install a large mural of Vice President Kamala Harris outside the United Center for the Democratic National Convention on Aug. 16, 2024. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune) Let women choose their path It seems that neither our current president nor our immediate past president (and many other politicians) truly understands today’s women. Many women today don’t want to be taken care of or take care of anyone else. I’m a dinosaur who grew up very happily in the 1950s when many women stayed home and every mother on the block looked after everyone else’s kid. This is not today’s reality, for many reasons. The reality is that every woman wants, and should have the right, to choose her own path in life, whether it be pursuing only a successful career, being a successful nurturing mother or both. (I had both but not simultaneously. I was a middle manager and then a homemaker and mother. I enjoyed making a home much more than being management, but then that’s just me.) Whatever path today’s women take, the choice should be up to them, no matter what someone else thinks that should be. — Alice Marcus Solovy, Highland Park Even more dangerous claim Journalist Stephen J. Lyons is offended by the tenor and tone of the present-day electoral cycle, according to his op-ed “I miss the time of presidential reverence” (Oct. 30). Language can be hurtful, offensive and dangerous if not used in the proper manner. I agree that some of former President Donald Trump‘s language on occasion is totally unacceptable for a person in his position. Even more unacceptable and dangerous are claims made by some of his opponent that he is the next Adolf Hitler. Lyons is offended by the crass language that is being spewed from the podium during this presidential election. Unfortunately, his complaints seem to blind him to the real issues involved in an election. His Puritan attitudes, even though enviable, are not going to change anybody’s minds. Talk is cheap and usually not effective. Actions speak louder than words. — Bernard Rinella, Northfield We don’t deserve this again I am writing in complete support of Stephen J. Lyons’ op-ed. Like Lyons, I grew up respecting and supporting the presidents of this country, no matter their political party, as they stood for our United States of America, the greatest of all countries. I cannot imagine that our forefathers, the authors of our Constitution, imagined a day when a felon, a man who sinks so low as to call our soldiers “losers,” a man found liable of sexual assault and a man who humiliates those who have disabilities, would not only run for the office of president but also would be representing the United States to the world. My parents, one a Republican and the other a Democrat, would have been horrified at the thought of him being in the White House again. My father, a World War II veteran and survivor; my grandfather, a World War I veteran and survivor; and many other family members who defended this country would never understand anyone voting for a man who has no respect for “suckers” such as true hero John McCain. I am tired of hearing excuses from some of his supporters that it’s the press that makes him out to be something that he isn’t when, news flash, those insults and lies have been recorded multiple times coming right from his mouth. If any readers have not yet voted, vote to spare the country the embarrassment, angst and anxiety that accompany a Donald Trump presidency. Our country and its people do not deserve that again. — Margaret M. O’Connor Machon, Lemont Questions for Dr. Phil McGraw Recently, I emailed Dr. Phil McGraw. Yes, that Dr. Phil. I had two questions for him, which I will paraphrase here. “Since you have repeatedly told your audience that you are nonpolitical, why did you take the stage at Madison Square Garden to endorse Donald Trump for president? As a professed Christian with knowledge of Scripture (as you have demonstrated on your show many times), you would be aware of Galatians 5:22-23, which talks of the fruits of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control). Remind me, Dr. Phil, which of these has Trump, also a professed Christian, shown us? Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, also Christians, have shown us these traits over and over.” “If you believe the above Bible verse, why have you not condemned the hateful, disgusting, racist rhetoric of the other speakers? You’re not responsible for what the other speakers said, but by not condemning or even distancing yourself from it, you are being complicit and tolerant of it. I expected a swift and total denouncement of the events of that evening.” As of this writing, I have heard nothing. I still believe God is on the throne. According to the Old Testament, the Israelites begged God for a king. God gave them Saul, who was a disaster and led to many kings thereafter, most of them also disasters. If Trump is elected again, maybe God is allowing us to have what we ask for: another disaster. — Elizabeth Oswald, Elgin When people reveal themselves During this election season, I can’t help but think of the wise words attributed to Maya Angelou: When people show you who they are, believe them the first time. — Bernadette Fahy, Morton Grove Accept the winner, regardless Undoubtedly, after the election results are revealed, some will say, “Not my president.” While this may be a valid personal sentiment, the presidency does not represent us individually; the position reflects us as a whole nation. Whoever wins is “our” president, regardless of our personal feelings. The winner may not be the president you or I want; however, the person is the president we the people have elected and therefore we, as a country, deserve. Some may point to a possible discrepancy between the Electoral College and the popular vote; however, we should remember that the Electoral College process was established by our Founding Fathers. Both sides know how that game works, so both sides should be working toward winning under that established system, which is intended to balance power among various states. Yes, there should be plenty of healthy space given for protest and dissent over the viewpoints and policies of the future president once elected. We should also humbly accept the vote results as a united citizenry and encourage the certification of the vote. The winner is the president we the people have chosen. For better or worse, for the next four years. If we do not accept this, how can we consider ourselves the “United” States of America? — Joseph Fernicola III, Glenview Why a protest vote matters In their op-ed “A protest vote against Harris would be disastrous for Middle East peace” (Oct. 31), Mujeeb R. Khan and Caise D. Hassan declare that “voters concerned with ending the war in Gaza would make a fatal mistake” in abandoning presidential candidate Kamala Harris, due to the even more repellent policies of Donald Trump regarding Palestinians. First of all, let’s be clear on the terms. We are not struggling to end a “war” but a genocide — the callous torture and elimination of people in Gaza. In voting for Harris, people are voting for someone who is complicit and firmly intends to continue the administration’s genocidal policies. That doesn’t mean Trump would be any less dangerous. However, those of us who live in strong Democratic states such as Illinois run little risk of contributing to a Trump victory. Polls predict a strong Harris victory here. This gives us a meaningful choice. Voting for Jill Stein or just writing in Gaza is not going to aid Trump. But it could save lives and save the Democratic Party. We need Democrats to be afraid. Very afraid. According to numerous polls, many Democratic voters oppose the slaughter in Gaza and reject unfettered U.S. aid to Israel. If Harris gets a landslide of progressive Democratic votes, she will have no incentive to take us seriously, and we will be mourning the slaughter of Palestinians (and other brown people) for generations. Swing-state residents: Vote against Trump. Safe blue-staters: Vote against genocide. — Lesley Williams, Evanston Affordable Care Act in peril Goodbye to the Affordable Care Act if Donald Trump is reelected, according to U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson, who promises “massive reform” and that the Republicans will “take a blowtorch to the regulatory state.” Still obsessed with then-President Barack Obama’s 2010 signature legislation, also known as Obamacare, Johnson gave no specifics, saying, “We got a lot of ideas,” which is in step with Trump’s “concept of a plan.” In the last four years, efforts to bolster the ACA resulted in the country crossing the 50 million threshold of people who have gotten health insurance through the marketplace and are now covered for illness, sickness, prevention and wellness. This resurgence followed the previous administration’s “death by a thousand cuts” approach of slashing funding for enrollment education and outreach. Unfortunately, under the cloak of pursuing a free market solution, massive reforms led by Johnson and Trump would translate to increases in the number of Americans joining the ranks of the uninsured. — Lindsay R. Resnick, Chicago Ex-president’s ‘hoax’ remark To all voters, especially young voters, who think climate change is a problem, just remember the man who said that climate change is the biggest “hoax” of all time. — Ray Lindsay, Joliet Lack of endorsement shameful I just learned that the Tribune Editorial Board is not making an endorsement for president like the editorial boards for the Los Angeles Times and The Washington Post. For years, my wife and I have had daily delivery of the Tribune, Sun-Times and The New York Times. We wish to read all sides of the issues. The Tribune’s ownership, however, doesn’t want the editorial board to take a side. Thus, we will be canceling our Tribune subscription. How the “World’s Greatest Newspaper” can sit back in this election, when our very democracy is at stake, is irresponsible and cowardly. Shame on you. — Perry J. Buckley, Chicago This is a land of immigrants It is sad to see a presidential nominee express disparaging thoughts about immigrants. Other than those known as Native Americans, we are all immigrants. If you were born here and your parents were born here, there is a high probability your grandparents were immigrants. If your grandparents were born here, it becomes even more likely that your great-grandparents were immigrants. That is how this country came to be. People migrate here looking for the land of opportunity and a better life. That’s what should make us all proud to be Americans. — Howard Weisbart, Northbrook Submit a letter, of no more than 400 words, to the editor here or email [email protected].