NY charter schools’ success, Letters

Charter champion

The Post’s recent editorial provides yet more evidence of the superior performance of charter schools in New York (“Fresh Proof NY Needs More Charters,” Jan. 16).

When I was an undergraduate, I was fortunate to take a course taught by a professor who was an early advocate of charter schools, as well as educational vouchers for parents to use in private schools. The professor posed this question: Should parents or the government have the fundamental right — and corresponding responsibility — to provide for the education of children?

The answer reveals a great deal. If your answer is with the parents, then you are more likely to support charter schools and educational vouchers, because they give parents the financial ability to choose what is best for their kids. If your answer is the government, you accept “failing” public schools.

James E. Ciecka, Chicago, Ill.

Stuffed courts

Thank you for highlighting examples of all the frivolous litigation winding through our court system (“Crazy cases from bad to (vers)us,” Jan. 17).

Our courthouses have turned into a vehicle for preposterous claims and get-rich-quick schemes. In this particular case, a woman sued Geico, which insured her partner’s car, for contracting an STD.

Legislators should work to stem the proliferation of absurd and cynical tort claims by adopting the British “loser pays” rule. If litigants and their attorneys bring unsuccessful tort claims, they should be required to pay the costs incurred in defending those claims. Such a rule would force attorneys and potential clients to think long and hard before signing on to flimsy lawsuits.

Peter Janoff, Stamford, Conn.

‘Royaled out’

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were reportedly disappointed with the recent Emmy results, which snubbed their Netflix series (“Meanwhile, Emmy-loser Sussex sulk,” Jan. 18).

The snub is likely due to a widespread case of Harry and Meghan fatigue. Like the strident, repetitive blather from talking heads on Election Day, most viewers are willing to watch and listen for only so long. Eventually, they’ll change the channel or turn off the television.

There are too many quality shows to choose from right now. The couple’s drama has become monotonous. It’s about as interesting as radio static.

Vincent Ruggiero, Scottsdale, Ariz.

Z is for Zombie

It would seem that the kids today have collectively turned their backs on the American Dream (“Today’s kids have no drive,” Jan. 18).

Getting a job and a driver’s license — benchmarks once considered a rite of passage for American teenagers — is no longer a priority for Gen Z.

Perhaps contemporary life has been too easy for them. Parental support, combined with services like Uber and DoorDash, has made the need for a job and license almost obsolete. Add to that the legalization of marijuana, virtual reality video games and AI, and you start to think the kids should really be called: Gen Z(ombies).

Jack Kaufman, Naples, Fla.

Crime critics

I was so sorry to read about the newsstand vendors getting robbed and assaulted in Manhattan (“Newsstand Nightmares,” Jan. 15).

I hope that the “defund the police” pundits read that story. They might then stop thinking they know more about fighting crime than the police.

John Francis Fox, Queens

Want to weigh in on today’s stories? Send your thoughts (along with your full name and city of residence) to [email protected]. Letters are subject to editing for clarity, length, accuracy, and style.