This is both good and bad for our country (“UPS averts strike,” 7/26/23), The good, if this strike happened it would probably grind this country to a halt and cause even more problems than already exist.

The bad, whenever a company goes on strike (or as I call it extortion), they will always get what they want because this country is in such bad shape we have to agree or the country will suffer (nurses, teachers, UPS etc).

Just another broken thing we have to deal with in this broken country.

Michael Westen

Malden

Three members of the Boston City Council are a complete embarrassment to the capitol of Massachusetts.  Councilors Tania Fernandes Anderson, Felix Arroyo and Kendra Lara should all have been asked to resign.  Mayor Wu and the deafening silence of other elected officials have proven that there is something terribly wrong in the City of Boston.

Taxpayers deserve leadership that lives up to high ethical standards and good judgement.  All three are lacking these qualifications.

Donald Houghton

Quincy

Re: “City Council misdeeds now 3 for 3 – where’s the accountability?” editorial from 7/27/2023.

Public service clearly isn’t for everyone.  That said, all elected officials should be subjected to a thorough background check.  The voters deserve to know whether candidates for public office can perform their jobs without prejudice.  For government to function effectively, the voters need to know that matters of public policy are formulated objectively, without premeditation.

What we have with these three councilors is the opposite – a complete lack of accountability, fostering mistrust and chaos.  They’ve managed to turn a government institution into a laughingstock.  Operating a vehicle without a license is not some minor oversight – it’s a serious public safety issue.  Hiring family members to paid staff positions isn’t an error in judgment – it’s illegal.

Elected officials must have strength of character.  They must act at all times beyond reproach.  They’re implicitly accepting the public’s trust when they run for office.  Otherwise, what’s the point?

Sean F. Flaherty

Charlestown

Re: “MBTA chief dishes out high-paying jobs with no bidding or advertising,” by Joe Battenfeld, 7/29/23

The MBTA and the Metropolitan Transit Authority in New York are reading from the same playbook.

Our state’s transit agency just approved a fare increase.  They say it will be used to “maintain current service levels and even increase service frequency.”

But we taxpayers know better.  Our governor is going to pad the payroll with six figure salaries and no bid contracts just like Mr. Eng is doing.

Gene Roman

Bronx, NY