Empty criticisms don’t help N.Y. students

Albany: David Bloomfield (“New York’s disappearing Education Department,” op-ed, Nov. 1) is certainly entitled to his opinions, but beyond his apparent dislike of the State Education Department under Commissioner Betty Rosa, the governor’s office and local districts, his argument is difficult to discern. Unfortunately, criticism without solutions accomplishes little.

Consider Cornell University. SED regulates degree programs; it doesn’t investigate or prosecute campus crimes. On cell phones, SED consistently supported local decision-making by educators and families. The Legislature chose another approach, as was its prerogative. And one advisory-committee bill hardly signals retreat from diversity, equity and inclusion. Bloomfield neglects to mention that SED rejected the federal government’s anti-DEI pledge within 24 hours. So much for his charge of “ponderous deliberation.” His dismissal of NY Inspires is equally misplaced. From Brooklyn to Buffalo, students are already demonstrating deeper learning through meaningful, rigorous work. We’re developing guidance and statewide safeguards with educators through phased implementation. Clinging to outdated graduation hurdles is no substitute for improving teaching and learning.

Finally, SED’s independence is no bureaucratic accident. It reflects a constitutional commitment to keeping education above partisan politics. Our work is too important to be distracted by critics or political opportunists.

JP O’Hare, assistant commissioner for public affairs and director of communications, New York State Education Department

Shortchanged

Brooklyn: So now, with the beginning of the end of the penny, businesses such as 7-Eleven, McDonald’s and Walgreens are not shy about keeping what is supposed to be the change we’d receive in pennies rather than rounding up the amount of change they would give back to us for a purchase. We, the consumer, are getting shortchanged, to “coin” an expression. With that in mind, I wonder two things: How much money will these businesses make over the course of this year, and would we actually expect that all of these businesses will declare this newfound income on their tax returns next year? No, neither would I.

Alan Zarrow

Punished by the people

Bronx: The 2026 midterm election cycle has finally come and gone. But during the two years prior, it was our venerated U.S. Constitution that held strong and helped sustain us during a wannabe dictator’s attempt at demolishing our cherished democracy. This historic week, the American people decisively spoke, and with our vote, let our voices be heard loud and clear! Now the wannabe dictator must pay the penalty for the crimes and corrosive corruption he’s unleashed, if only so that no one who comes after him may attempt the same. Fifty-two years ago, a pardoned Richard Nixon walked away from the Watergate scandal unpunished while most of his co-conspirators were left to suffer the legal consequences of what he did. Maybe that’s why President Trump has dared do what he’s done. Let’s not make that mistake again.

Carlos B. Martinez

Earned ire

Brooklyn: So President Veto wants to sabotage any bills he does not personally like. This will again cause delays and government shutdowns. Unacceptable. The people have spoken, and it’s time for him to comply. We must start impeachment on the first day of the new legislative body starting its work. I can’t believe there aren’t enough Republicans unhappy with Tuesday’s results who want to see him gone. President Veto can’t be allowed to hold our country hostage to his maniacal whims anymore. He has done enough damage to America.

Greg Ahl

Gridlock ahead

Seaford, L.I.: Now that the Democrats have overwhelmingly taken back control of Congress, anyone who believes they will deliver on lower costs for gas and groceries needs a psychiatrist. All we will see for two years are investigations and impeachment trials. The Dems caused the higher prices six years ago and we are still suffering from that.

Tom Ascher

Effete elitist

East Meadow, L.I.: My faith in the American people has been restored! I’m a 76-year-old immigrant who came to this country at the age of 4, and everything my family and I have is because of the opportunities this wonderful country has given us. We as a country have had our ups and downs, but in the end, we the people do the right thing! I’m a centrist who has voted for Republicans and Democrats, and as my late father-in-law taught me, “You vote for the guy who will do what’s right for our country, not himself.” Trump did only what was good for himself, and his reign is over. He has never cared for the average person. Does he have any idea how many Americans have been struggling to pay for rent, food and gas? Of course not! How can he when he sits on gold-plated toilets?

Anthony Natale

Bipartisan tactic

Pearl River, N.Y.: When Trump was running in 2024, the Democrats screamed and ranted that if he won, he would target Democrats with lawfare. As soon as these lunatic Democrats realized they would take both houses, they said they would target Trump and anyone who supported him. Rep. Robert Garcia of California is screaming for the Trumps and Republicans to lawyer up. So now it’s OK to use lawfare? What a joke. When will Americans wake up and realize that the Democrats are not working for us, only themselves. Things will get terribly worse.

Robert Brennan

Annihilated

Massapequa, L.I.: Trump should be considered for completing another war successfully — his war on Republican candidates for office.

Paul Pepe

Sacrificed at scale

Sayville, L.I.: Many people are wondering why Trump didn’t wait until after the midterms to start in with Iran. Two answers come to mind and probably carry the same weight. One, Trump needed a big distraction from the Epstein files. Two, Benjamin Netanyahu also needed a big distraction from his own serious legal issues. Neither had time to wait. Two clowns in serious legal trouble colluded to put the entire planet in an economic crisis. Job well done.

Michael Hooker

Echoes of pogroms

Merion Station, Pa.: When I first heard about a Nov. 8 Philadelphia boycott bicycle rally to punish businesses owned by Israelis and/or supporters of Israel, I immediately thought of Kristallnacht, an anti-Jewish pogrom in Germany, Austria and the Sudetenland that began on Nov. 9, 1938. Over a two-day period, 1,400 synagogues were burned, several hundred Jews were murdered, more than 20,000 Jewish men were taken to concentration camps, and thousands of Jewish-owned businesses were vandalized and looted. America in 2026 is not Nazi Germany, but events from 88 years ago still overshadow the thinking and anxiety of millions of Jews.

Paul L. Newman