Opinion | Is Ron DeSantis the Future of the Republican Party? – The New York Times

To the Editor:

In DeSantis Is the New Republican Party (Opinion guest essay, Sunday Review, May 15), Rich Lowry states that Ron DeSantis points to the Republican future.

If so, its a future of publicly bullying children, punishing the press and whistle-blowers, ignoring medical science and trash-talking world-renowned scientists in epidemiology, big government intruding on womens health, big government intruding on corporate freedom, big government handcuffing teachers about what they can say in the classroom and what books they can use, and the 24/7 politics of anger, resentment, hate, cynicism and demagogy.

Whatever this dystopian political future may hold, it isnt conservative. Its radical right, and has more in common with the politics of totalitarian states than it does with democracies.

Stuart RojstaczerPalo Alto, Calif.

To the Editor:

Rich Lowry praises Gov. Ron DeSantis as a Republican hero for his response to Covid-19. By doing so, he perpetuates a dangerous myth that Governor DeSantiss approach to Covid was the right path. This is tragically untrue.

The data tells the story. New York and Florida offer a comparison: They have fairly similar population size and numbers of Covid deaths. Florida has had 346 deaths per 100,000 people and New York 350 deaths per 100,000, as of May 24.

The difference is that New York had almost half of its Covid deaths from March to July 2020, when we knew little and had few protections. Florida, by contrast, saw over two-thirds of its Covid deaths in 2021 and 2022, when many were preventable.

The facts are clear, and history will judge that Governor DeSantiss Covid-19 policy had tragic consequences no matter how he is mythologized.

Stephen LevinBrooklyn

To the Editor:

As a conservative (though not a Republican), I am not as pleased as Rich Lowry is with Gov. Ron DeSantiss rise in the Republican Party, for one reason: his use of political power to bludgeon private businesses into conformity with his cultural preferences.

He should stick with traditional Republican doctrine and dont try to tell me how to run my business. If I want to spout off about laws I dont like or require my employees and customers to wear masks, thats none of his business.

To the Editor:

Regarding the Opinion online interactive and the May 22 Sunday Review article showing final text messages of those who died of Covid:

More than any obituary, death notice or tribute to a deceased individual, those simple text exchanges conveyed the sadness and pain of losing a loved one to Covid. The poignant and quotidian expressions of concern and anxiety were searing and unforgettable.

Estelle B. WadeNew York

To the Editor:

Re We Must Prepare for Putins Worst Weapons, by Mitt Romney (Opinion guest essay, May 23):

With some surprise, this liberal agrees with Mr. Romney on Vladimir Putins possible use of tactical nuclear weapons in Ukraine. Unlike past nuclear confrontations, if Mr. Putin used them in crazed desperation, it would be against people who he claims are really Russians, rather than against the United States or other NATO countries.

He would be detonating them above his own troops, and depending on wind patterns heavy fallout could end up on Russian territory. Mr. Putin must know that NATO could quickly sink the entire Russian Navy and decimate his army with conventional weapons if he crossed the nuclear Rubicon.

President Biden and NATO cannot repeat the peace for our time mistakes of Neville Chamberlain by surrendering parts of Ukraine to Mr. Putin in a vain attempt to pacify this fascist.

Carl MezoffStamford, Conn.

To the Editor:

Re The Great Erasure, by Charles M. Blow (column, May 22):

The erasure of street art created after the killing of George Floyd is symbolic of the waning support for the Black Lives Matter movement. It is saddening, but it is not discouraging.

As a young Black person in America, I still believe in change. I dont expect change to come quickly or easily, and I expect many more unjust killings before it arrives, but I believe that it is possible.

I have this faith not because I am fond of Americas past, present or even immediate future, but because I know that change is needed and I believe that there are enough people who wont give up on fighting for it until it happens.

Rebekah BoiteyFayetteville, N.C.The writer is a high school student.

To the Editor:

Re How Far Should You Go to Save a Life?, by Daniela J. Lamas (Opinion guest essay, Sunday Review, May 15):

This article discussed the question of how far doctors and patients should go in cases in which an experimental treatment is the only alternative to certain death. My years as a psychiatric consultant to the medical services at a major teaching hospital taught me the value of hope.

We know that emotions affect the immune system, which affects the growth of many cancers. Sometimes the mere awareness of the possibility that an experimental drug could provide a miracle cure helps to regulate a patients immune system sufficiently to slow the progression of metastatic cancer.

The compassionate use program should be greatly expanded to allow more patients to benefit from this.

Harvey M. BermanWhite Plains, N.Y.

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Opinion | Is Ron DeSantis the Future of the Republican Party? - The New York Times