To the Editor,
Thank you to Mr. Riviello for his reply (“Headed in the right direction,” September 18) to my letter (“Pay local workers better,” August 7). There are a few points that I would like to make in response, which are important to remember before the upcoming election.
First, the Constitution is secular. There is one mention of religion in the Constitution, and that is in the First Amendment, enshrining our right to religious freedom and the prohibition on Congress making laws with regard to an establishment of religion.
The government is not permitted to favor one religion above another. Additionally, the government is not permitted to advocate for, or adhere to, anything on the ground that it is contained in the Old Testament or in any other religious text. With all due respect, the argument that we are subject to the Old Testament and to a belief in God is dangerous. We are a nation defined by freedom of religion and separation of church and state.
Second, socialism, or allowing the government to control the means of production, is not the same thing as providing universal health care in a capitalist society. And a government’s provision of universal healthcare will not necessarily result in scarcity, or in a lack of access to healthcare. It depends on how it is set up.
Third, I did not mention Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon in my letter, and there is no reason to attack her by asserting that she is failing us. In fact, I support her and wish her the best. I’m proud that we are represented by such a bright, accomplished woman — who I can say is a resident of the same school district as me (when I’m at home). As a relatively early-career attorney, I look up to her.
Further, since women are facing political attacks all over the world, not least in the United States, it is worth mentioning that, this year, we are celebrating 100 years of women’s right to vote being guaranteed by the Constitution. Let’s hope we use that right next month to oust Donald Trump from the Oval Office, and that misogyny will be eradicated, everywhere.
Thank you.
Best regards,
Parisa Zangeneh
Galway, Ireland, formerly of Wallingford
