Letters for Monday, September 7, 2026

Food insecurity isn't a reason for shame It's called food insecurity, when it used to reflect poverty or those living paycheck to paycheck, who were one paycheck from being homeless, almost starving. If you look back in history, eras of depression and recessions, there were those who were once well off, but then lost everything. History says that being creative with food and how to feed your family on only pennies can beat starvation. Poverty wasn't new —only those who were well off and then suddenly not. You would think that food insecurity would be the last thing a family had to worry about, but no. The cost of food, going up and down, and just when it drops, it goes back up. Even with SNAP benefits and monthly visits to local food pantries or churches, there is a stigma of going without food, or having to eat the cheapest foods available. Food first, nutrition later. As someone who also has to budget food and bills, but manages, I understand what it is like to have to rely on help to be able to feed my family. Starvation ends up being the best seasoning, and that is saying a lot. Amy Shannon Ballston Spa Do Dems fear their antisemitic backers? I am writing to respond to Mr. Paul Santo's Aug. 30th letter in The Gazette, ('Are Republicans OK with Nazi Propaganda.') Mr. Santo points out that Brandon Herrera, who is running for office in Texas, has made some questionable comments etc. regarding Hitler and the Holocaust. While it's true that no pro-Israel Jewish groups support him, it is also true that they have not thrown their support behind his Democratic opponent. Now why do you think that is? Could it be that since the Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel by Hamas, there has been an over 400% increase in this country in antisemitic attacks against innocent Jewish/American citizens because of opposition to Israel's policies in Gaza and the Middle East? I find it funny that much like Nazi Germany in the 1930s, most leaders in the Democratic Party have remained silent and not condemned these attacks. Could it be that these 'leaders' fear antagonizing the antisemites in their party just prior to the midterm elections? Tom McGarry Niskayuna Letters The Gazette welcomes letters from all political points of view. Regular letters must be no longer than 250 words. Election-related letters are limited to 200 words. Letter writers may only submit one letter every 30 days.