The federal government consists of three branches of government, executive, legislative and judicial. It’s interesting that our current president Joseph Robinette Biden and some members of the Congress and Senate disagree on the Supreme Court of the United States’ recent decisions, saying it’s wrong and politically focused. Here’s my two cents: just because you don’t like the decisions, accusing some of the Supreme Court justices as being biased is just wrong. I advise you focus on your job duties, work hard in that area and getting results.

Tony Meschini

Scituate

I see that the taxpayers of Quincy  are paying more than ever and we have nothing to show for it. We are paying for police patrols but we are hard pressed to see any police in this city. We have a new police chief, but we have absolutely no idea how he is going to change his department for the better. I don’t know about the rest of my fellow taxpayers feel but I don’t see any changes in the future of the police enforcement of the speeding in this city. We are still paying for the Generals Bridge that is hardly ever used. Our taxes are also paying for the new sod in front of City Hall but our streets are in deplorable condition. We are still paying for those statues in front of City Hall as well as the statues in Merrymount park, but that’s what the mayor wants, and the city council voted for the payment. My feeling is, we need to replace the mayor as well as the entire city council in November. Just my opinion.

Charles Dennehey Jr

West Quincy

The op-ed “Taxpayers, law enforcement bear the burden of menthol ban” raised relevant concerns from convenience stores and law enforcement perspectives. However, since the menthol ban is one of the most aggressive initiatives to address the leading cause of preventable death in the world, the article is missing facts and seems sort of murky.

Citing statistics about millions in menthol cigarettes excise tax revenue loss and increased law enforcement cost without mentioning that smoking caused healthcare costs to exceed $4 billion in Massachusetts and nearly a half a million people die each year in the US from smoking, is overlooking major priorities.

Reports indicate that the FDA is taking a scientific approach in proposing a national menthol ban, as opposed to Massachusetts’ populism approach, which enabled simply buying menthol cigarettes in neighboring states.

The FDA is scheduled to make a menthol ban final rule announcement next month and is expected to leave a nonaddictive modified risk tobacco product menthol cigarette called VLN (very low nicotine) Menthol King, that was created by plant biotechnology company 22nd Century Group, as an offramp for menthol smokers. That would also address tax revenue loss and diminish illegal menthol sales. Most people want to stop smoking.

Devender Coleman

Boston