Readers sound off on tipped employees, public campaign financing and racial violence
Voice of the People, New York Daily News
7 min read
Listen to employees on tipping, not activists
Arlington, Va: In her Sept. 4 op-ed, “On this Labor Day, a tip for New York’s leaders,” Reshma Saujani argues for eliminating New York’s tip credit without acknowledging how doing so would hurt the very employees she claims to advocate for. Saujani says “people hate tipping.” Yet, her source for this claim finds that 83% of restaurant-goers are routine tippers. In fact, the growing use of alternative models like mandatory service charges are turning off diners around the country. States with no tip credit see the lowest average tip percentages in the nation.
Customers aren’t the only ones who like tipping. Employees prefer it as an opportunity to maximize their income. Tips typically put employees well beyond the flat minimum wage. New York servers can earn up to $50 per hour or more with their tips. Upending the current system would reduce those earnings substantially. Eliminating the Empire State’s tip credit would require employers to pay nearly double the base minimum wage for tipped employees, putting thousands out of work. More devastatingly, those who survive layoffs are likely to earn less annually. New York restaurateurs have already tried the flat wage model and employees left in droves, saying they lost out on tips. When former Gov. Andrew Cuomo proposed tip credit elimination back in 2018, employees testified in opposition, arguing that their livelihoods came from their tips.
Don’t believe the false narrative Saujani and One Fair Wage are selling. Employees and customers alike prefer the tipping model and are better off because of it. Rebekah Paxton, director of research, Employment Policies Institute
Stem the corruption tide
Manhattan: “Straw donor scams steal tax dollars”(op-ed, Sept. 5) is a tired attempt at fear-mongering that obscures the overwhelming benefits of this vital reform. Far from an avenue for impropriety, public financing of campaigns is a recognized antidote to political corruption. That’s why it was a core recommendation of New York’s anti-corruption Moreland Commission in 2013. At a time when billionaires can spend unlimited amounts to influence campaigns, public financing empowers everyday voters by matching their small contributions and amplifying their impact. New York’s program features key safeguards (like minimum fundraising thresholds to access public funds and tying payments to demonstrated community support) to make sure that only serious candidates can participate. The op-ed ignores that bad actors — a rarity — are caught. The benefits to New York voters — too long drowned out of the political conversation — are more than worth the modest cost of the program, less than 0.02% of the state budget. Joanna Zdanys, Brennan Center for Justice, and Karen Wharton, Citizen Action of New York
The new abnormal
Howard Beach: S.E. Cupp’s article “The Republican Party of lawlessness & disorder” (column, Sept. 7) is just one more rude awakening about today’s Republican Party. The stench of Donald Trump, MAGA politicians and supporters will be long with us even if Trump sits rotting in jail. Trump wannabes are just waiting in the wings to fill his vision of America and democracy. We are in deep trouble. Barbara Berg
Broadly applicable
Hammonton, N.J.: Once again, S.E. Cupp fails to see the big picture. She faults certain Republicans for stating that some of the sentences for some members of the Proud Boys are harsh, and equates that to all Republicans being against maintaining law and order. The truth is both parties are lawless. Everyone in Congress is above the law and neither party cares about the illegal invasion coming over our southern border. The American taxpayer means nothing to them except when it’s election time and everyone knows there is cheating in our elections, just like there is in every country that holds elections. Both parties want power over the masses at any cost, and every day do more to destroy our Constitution and take away the citizens’ freedom. Both parties are lawless, Ms. Cupp. William Cook
Take up donations
Rockaway Park: I really think we should start a GoFundMe page for Donald Trump. Has anyone noticed that all he wears is that red tie? It goes almost to his knees, and the other day there was a picture of him in The News where his jacket was flying open and he looked at least six months pregnant in front, and his rear looked just as big. I really can’t believe he is only 215 pounds. Poor guy can’t catch a break. Sharon Gabriel
Armed and dangerous
Brooklyn: Former Chief Justice Warren Burger (no flaming liberal) stated that the expansion of the Second Amendment to what amounts to guns on demand is the biggest fraud ever perpetrated on the American public. Every day and in myriad ways, we see how this plague of guns diminishes our society. I understand that some folks need to be armed, but does everyone? Now, any pissed-off hothead can get his hand on a gun without much red tape. When you throw the right-wing militias into the hopper, the situation is obviously untenable and unsustainable. Steven Rosenzweig
The terror persists
Barrie, Ontario: Re “Six ‘goon squad’ cops in Miss. plead guilty to torturing Blacks” (Aug. 15): This travesty shows that the race hatred problem never really goes away, it merely lies in waiting until aroused. The constant jockeying over the states’ autonomy and independence inadvertently imbalances the justice system to the detriment of many. The state of Mississippi did not sufficiently punish these six men, and that flies in everyone’s face. The squad easily exploited the social and political duality of the country that demeans Black people in favor of white people, privileges convicted police officers with lighter sentencing and enables states or smaller entities to pursue rogue and dangerous agendas contrary to the laws of the U.S and its Constitution. Christopher Mansour
Date in poor taste
Bronx: I am disgusted at the New York Jets for having their opening day of the football season on the evening of Sept. 11 — at MetLife Stadium, no less. Have we forgotten what happened at Ground Zero that day? Is anything sacred? So many young people in America have no idea what 9/11 is about, and certainly, playing football on that day helps to erase that memory. Thanks, NFL — for nothing! Chet Walker
Lives on the line
Island Falls, Maine: In support of Voicer Zelda Penzel’s letter per animal care at NYC Animal Care Centers: I think NYC can aspire to no-kill shelters much better than it is. I have had several experiences where dogs were killed or given to rescues that did not find them homes. Instead of giving them to people who applied and went through the motions to adopt, people learn — after house and vet checks — the dog was killed or still in the system. It’s horrific to look at the list every night. Do better. Luckily, I got the best cat from ACC in 2013, but if I had not acted fast, this amazing living creature would have been killed. Donna Amrita Davidge
Ditto
Bloomfield, N.J.: I agree with Voicer William J. Griggs about the Saturday crossword. It is mainly older people who still buy papers. Why make it harder for them to read it? Eli Kelley
Health concerns
Brooklyn: Migrants arrive in New York City from many parts of the world, especially from underprivileged countries. They are not being screened with titer blood tests to check their immunities to diseases such as polio, rubella and measles. They are not given tuberculosis tests. The mayor is placing migrants in all parts of the city. Is this safe health-wise? Not long ago, city workers lost their jobs for not receiving COVID vaccines, yet migrants are welcomed with little to no health screenings? What is wrong with this picture? Are migrant children entering the New York City school system screened? Years back at Ellis Island, health screening was essential. Jessica Balter
Return to sender
Manhattan: Mayor Adams says we have reached our limit with the migrant problem. He said they cross our southern border and are sent by bus to New York. When they arrive, give them food, let them shower and put them up for a good night’s sleep. In the morning, give them breakfast. Then, put them on the same bus and send them back to Texas or Arizona or wherever. Raymond McEaddy
