Pelosi defends gang members but not the unborn; N.J. school aid must follow the student | Feedback

In this Feb. 16, 2017, file photo, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi of Calif. listens during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington.(AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

The raging stupor in which the left wing has been wallowing since the 2016 presidential election is very apparent to everyone but its members.

Upon hearing President Donald Trump refer to immigrant members of the MS-13 street gang as "animals," Democrat U.S. House Leader Nancy Pelosi preached that these gang members who rape, kill and mutilate their victims should not be called "animals," because they are God's children with a "spark of divinity."

Upon hearing this, I thought of how many votes Pelosi has cast in to defend abortion. In her world, violent gang members warrant defending. Innocent babies in the womb have no such "spark of divinity," I suppose.

Long-held rage and anger diminishes us as people. This behavior makes us crazy, makes us say ridiculous things and makes us take the wrong side out of spite.

Americans are smart and reasonable people. They see the madness in which the left is embroiled. They recognize hypocrisy. Mrs. Pelosi ought to know that.

Ken Frank, Pitman

N.J. school aid must follow the student

The original goal of New Jersey's School Funding Reform Act of 2008 clearly mandates that state-aid dollars need to "follow the student." This concept has been validated by the state Supreme Court.

It's this simple: If a school district has significant enrollment growth, that district should receive more funding, since there are more students for the dollars to follow. Where enrollment is declining, it should receive less funding.

Even though this is basic common sense, that is not what is happening with state aid distribution.

Senate President Steve Sweeney, D-Gloucester, has proposed reforms that will fix this problem so that school funding is more fair. This includes eliminating aid caps on fast-growing districts, and phasing out "adjustment aid" -- which gives shrinking districts the same funding they received when they had more students. The problem we now face is Governor Phil Murphy's unwillingness to realize that his interpretation of "fair funding" in his 2018-2019 state budget proposal misses the mark.

I hope the governor reads this letter because he needs to know that parents, taxpayers and children in the "underfunded" districts cannot wait for fairness. Man voted for Murphy because he said he would bring change, be responsive to the people, and do what is right to make our state "stronger and fairer."

If he means what he said, he will sign on to Sweeney's version of school funding reforms, because all of us -- especially our children -- deserve better than what we have now.

Sal Pellerito, Bridgeton

Monroe Council hopeful: I have right stuff

I am often asked why I threw my hat in the ring for a Democratic nomination for an at-large Monroe Township Council seat. The answer involves more than one simple reason.

I am a lifelong resident who has experienced the growth of our township first hand, and I am aware of the challenges it still faces.  While I do not have direct political experience,  I bring to the table a great personal and professional background.

I am not going to make unattainable promises, such as being able to stop the drug addiction epidemic, but I will dedicate every ounce of energy I have to advocate for all affected.

As a single mother, I have no option but to make smart financial decisions and maintain a strict family budget. As a registered nurse, I maintain a strong code of ethics as a voice for my patients and their needs.

I believe strongly in working in a team for the best possible outcomes. Mayor Daniel Teefy, on whose ticket I am running, and his administration continue to build a strong foundation to have a thriving community. I feel fortunate to be a member of "Team Teefy 2018" in the June 5 Democratic primary election. Please vote to keep the process going.

Sherrie Kennedy, Williamstown

Editor's note: Democrat voters in Monroe will select three at-large council nominees and a mayoral candidate on June 5. Teefy faces two party challengers for mayor. Kennedy and her "Team Teefy" council slate faces a slate of three "Regular Democratic Organization of Gloucester County" candidates.

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