I read the commentary from Mormon Women for Ethical Government, a group of women who recently commented on Sen. Orrin Hatch's remarks about New York values.
Thank you, ladies, because you are correct, Hatch's words are offensive as well as perplexing. Apparently, Hatch, Sen. Ted Cruz and many other politicians get political points for criticizing people from the New York area.
Yes, our values may differ, but that doesn't mean they are wrong. We live in an area with people who come from all over the world. Living among such diversity means that we need to be tolerant of others’ beliefs and customs. Yet, time and time again, we are singled out for our lack of values. New York is the largest city in the U.S., yet we have the lowest crime rate. We aren't perfect, but I don't judge someone because of where they reside.
If we have a natural disaster (think Superstorm Sandy), then some people say it is God's punishment for our sinful behavior. I hope that the people from Congress and some heads of megachurches realize that is the same reasoning given by the terrorists who have attacked us in the past.
This hatred of people because of their skin color, religion or even where we live needs to stop. I used to love driving around the country. Last year, when getting gas or stopping at a rest area, I was called a liberal snowflake, an elitist and other things that I won't mention here. My crime? I have no bumper stickers, so I'm assuming my New Jersey license plate told some people all they needed to know about me. I turned around by the time I got to Chicago, a lovely city, but by then I was weary of the judgments bestowed upon me by people who knew nothing about me save my license plate.
It's a beautiful country, but next time I'll take my New York values and tourist dollars and go to Europe. Again, I thank the women who spoke out about the hypocrisy. By the way, if Hatch finds Trump and his values so offensive (we do, which is why he did not win New York, New Jersey or Connecticut), then why does he vote with his agenda?
Teri DeMaio, Manahawkin, N.J.
