The law must hold businesses accountable
Brooklyn: Five years ago, I opened my first neighborhood grocery store in Bushwick, in the heart of a food desert. Today, I operate three Met Fresh supermarkets, offering fresh, organic foods and prioritizing customer service. We go even further, ordering special products or delivering a case of water to our customers’ doorstep, fostering loyalty through personalized service.
Unlike retail giants like Amazon and Walmart, we are part of the community and not just looking for access. Unfortunately, these mega-stores have become so dominant that they dictate product prices and availability, exploiting the lack of antitrust enforcement. For too long, lawmakers have focused on regulating tech giants, when we need them to ensure fairness and competition in the retail industry. Currently, four big box stores control 69% of the market, driving down prices and stifling small businesses.
I share the stories of countless small business owners across the country. Fortunately, the Federal Trade Commission, chaired by Lina Khan (pictured), is reevaluating the Robinson-Patman Act, with the goal of restoring fair competition and preventing conglomerates from harming smaller competitors. In Congress, bipartisan oversight hearings have been held to further examine consolidations and abuses of purchasing power in the marketplace, demonstrating a willingness to explore comprehensive, practical solutions that promote competition and prevent anti-competitive practices.
These retail giants should not be above the law. Small businesses like mine seek fair enforcement of existing laws and equal opportunity for all stores to thrive – a true embodiment of the American dream. Danny Hamdan
Raised
Forest Hills: Anyone who is a National Grid customer, look at your bill. The Mismanaged Transit Authority also gets money from here. Like the Department of Transportation, both agencies are extortionists, the worst kind of pickpockets who rob New Yorkers blind while giving poor reasons to justify their increases. Sarah Ross
Take your time
Bronx: Seems like in voice Hanna O’Haire’s vision of New York City, there would be no elderly people, children, tourists or disabled pedestrians allowed. As a senior, even though my pace has slowed, getting out for a walk is a great source of exercise and joy in my life. Instead of being so angry, Hanna needs to organize her schedule a little better so she’s not in such a rush in the morning. Stop and smell the roses, Hanna. Life is short. Marguerite Coulter
Mocking Fleet
Brooklyn: What explains the deference given to food delivery workers who appear to ignore our laws? Grubhub was allowed to recruit migrants from city shelters. Were the people they hired checked or given instructions on our traffic rules? Grubhub is a multi-million dollar company with a national network to protect its employees from regional law enforcement interventions. There’s even a website from the height of the pandemic that tells delivery people how to deal with local authorities: “If a law enforcement officer attempts to stop you from providing delivery services in one of the areas below, please show him this notice. Please encourage them to contact the Grubhub legal team regarding this notice at LER@grubhub.com. Apparently, the hands-off approach engendered by this advisory has continued into the post-COVID present. John Bartram
The rebel agitators
Hartsdale, NY: I’m sure all the adults here appreciate MAGA cult politicians’ attempts to blame the Democratic Party for not being able to elect a Speaker of the House. Hint: Maybe they could get some help if they nominated someone who wasn’t an election denier. Like Jim Jordan. Like Steve Scalise. Like Patrick McHenry. Just like future candidate Kevin Hern. There seems to be a theme in their “qualifications”. Do you have any idea what it is? Norman E. Gaines Jr.
Open secret
Staten Island: I urge the Daily News to consider a thorough investigation of Rep. Jim Jordan when he was the college wrestling coach in Ohio. There is sufficient anecdotal information that he knew and covered up evidence of sexual predations on male students by a team doctor. This issue has been in the media for too long to continue to be ignored. David De Sario
Forensic analysis
Somerset, NJ: In response to spokesperson Richie Nagan’s request to verify who was responsible for the Gaza hospital bombing: Top U.S. military experts examined the damage to nearby vehicles and overall destruction. They said it was caused by a rocket and not a bomb dropped by an airplane. Video of this aired on ABC and other networks. Arthur Bressler
Path to disaster
Penticton, British Columbia: Is a very honest and knowledgeable President Biden, 21st century President Lyndon Johnson, drawn into a horrible Vietnam-Gaza-Nam conflict that will eclipse the original tragedy of Vietnam? Is the way the United States and Israel are eliminating Gaza – its infrastructure, its human population and all living creatures, including those of Mother Nature – more humane than that of Hamas and its associates? Are guns made in America making America great again? Where is the light, the way, the truth and the life? Joe Schwarz
Cancel student speech
Hubertus, Wis.: It is well known that Jews are strong advocates for higher education, and together we donate billions to various universities and colleges across the country. Over the past few days, we’ve been given a sample of what the money could buy. Since the Hamas butchers invaded Israel, terrorizing, kidnapping and killing more than 1,400 innocent men, women and children, major colleges and universities have become hotbeds of anti-Jewish and anti-Christian protests. In their twisted mindset, they believe that Hamas was absolutely right to attack Israel and, in their own way, they burn Israeli and American flags. Instead of offering higher education, universities now coddle a horde of thugs bent on destroying the world unless you follow their dictates. Together, we can all end this subversive activity on campus by withholding all donations, at all levels, until they get back to the basics of real education. Robert W. Lobenstein
Perverse prophecy
Rochdale Village: Why the Daily News gave so much space to voiceman Jim Black’s evangelical speech is a mystery, because as it is written: “Evangelicals don’t know anything about religion; And even less about Jesus” (Saul 1:1). Amen. Saul Rothenberg
Cut
Braintree, Massachusetts: You share a common problem with your printing. Please do not print this at the bottom of the page. I can never see the result of anything you print! That is not here! Very disappointing to purchase your item and not be able to see the very last line of text. The Boston Herald was the same way, but they changed. I also buy the New York Post, but I can easily lose The News if I can’t read it. Joe Gorman
Checkered folder
Ledgewood, NJ: So, performance-enhancing drug cheat and all-around creep A-Rod is upset that his number 13 was given to Anthony Volpe. He honestly believes his number should be retired. Where do his delusions and his narcissism end? This is a man who sued Major League Baseball and the Yankees over his PED suspension, only to later admit that he actually cheated and lied about it! The Yankees should never even think about giving this thug a gift, much less consider retiring his number. It’s shocking that he even has a baseball-related job. Alex Brig
Dismissal of a student
Manhattan: Many children around the world are diagnosed with symptoms that affect their minds, usually causing them to act strangely or disinterested in the subject at hand. On the surface, it’s hard to see them as anything other than a little strange, but upon closer inspection you can see the great effort they put into something they’re passionate about. I think it’s a bit unfair to these people who are doing their best but, because of these conditions, just don’t have the will. I see all of this as a call to action, a push for teachers and staff to try to help these children succeed, because great potential should not be held back by an unfortunate symptom. Ethan Wong