The Issue: The five-week government shutdown’s effect on government services such as SNAP benefits.
The American people are suffering, but the men and women we elected don’t seem to have our best interests in mind (“Dems play hunger game,” Oct. 29).
They’re using this as a power play — but the stakes they’re playing with are much too high, and they are crippling the people who voted for them.
At present, it appears that the Democratic Party, spearheaded by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, is sitting back, watching as their constituents suffer.
Ilene Simon
Old Bridge, NJ
Millions of struggling Americans rely on SNAP benefits, which are in jeopardy.
I used to promote SNAP at a local farmers market as a health department employee; the program is a win-win for all involved.
Democrats blame Republicans and vice versa.
Can’t we all just get along?
Matt Engel
Wilkes-Barre, Pa.
The president, vice president and Congress are responsible for providing taxpayers with a service — a government.
They shouldn’t receive pay for the period of time the federal government is shut down.
They don’t deserve a penny for their failure to provide us with vital services.
Paul Feiner
Greenburgh
Don’t even suggest that this federal shutdown belongs to anyone other than President Trump.
Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” called for actions that would increase health-insurance premiums for millions of low-income Americans — and deprive millions of others of insurance. Democrats were not going to support this immoral travesty.
From the very beginning, Trump knew the law required bipartisan agreement by Oct. 1.
Yet, just one week before the shutdown, he canceled a meeting with Democratic leaders — and here we are.
Weeks later, nothing has changed, and another 45 million Americans are on the verge of losing their supplemental food assistance.
Robert Griffith
Naples, Fla.
Open your eyes, Democrats — this is what your party is all about.
Dems refuse to open the government despite the millions of people who depend on government assistance to feed their families.
They’re just trying to prove a point to Trump because they can’t beat him in any other way.
Bill McCreary
Levittown
I see no reason why members of Congress should be paid at all.
They are public servants and chose to run for office on their own accord.
They regularly vote themselves a pay raise.
Meanwhile, during government shutdowns, the little guys get killed with no pay.
This is why Americans cannot tolerate politicians.
They represent the scum of the earth.
Lou Bivona
Belleville
The Issue: Cindy Adams’ column criticizing New York City mayoral candidate Curtis Sliwa.
I always look forward to reading Cindy Adams’ column — but this last article lost me completely (“ ‘Mayor’ Sliwa’s nine lives,” Oct. 28).
If Andrew Cuomo wins, his no-bail decree stays in place, making New York City very unsafe.
If Zohran Mamdani wins, we’re in even worse shape — especially with the threat of Rikers Island being closed.
Sliwa may not have a resumé, but neither does Mamdani, and Cuomo’s resumé is only loaded with scandal and bad choices.
Linda Calabrese
Brooklyn
Cindy Adams’ attack on Sliwa is a new low.
His accomplishments in community activism and radio broadcasting are outstanding.
Although there is a minimal chance of Sliwa winning the mayoralty, his debate performances have demonstrated that he is the best of the three contenders.
C.D. Parr
Rumson, NJ
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