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I thank James Doyle for his June 15 op-ed (“Do Trump and Susan Collins share Frances Perkins’ vision of society?”), reminding us of Frances Perkins and her belief that we have a responsibility to care for one another.

Perkins, in her work with New York Mayor Al Smith and later as Franklin Roosevelt’s chief lieutenant, fought for and won essential reforms for working people: reduced work hours, critical safety requirements, child labor laws and health coverage for the needy and elderly. Perkins inspired public health measures that greatly improved maternal and child health. Her vision and tireless work built the foundation of our current safety net. 

How times have changed. Our national priorities no longer honor this commitment. While Perkins advanced worker safety, we cut safety regulations. While she fought to expand health care, we cut Medicaid and Affordable Health Care, forcing millions to go without health insurance and postpone needed treatment. While she found a way to provide modest support for families experiencing joblessness, hunger and housing distress, many now struggle to pay rent and put food on the table. For what? So ultra-wealthy people can become wealthier? So our president can entertain his friends in a billion-dollar ballroom? So we can carry out a foolish, expensive war that has gained us nothing and hurt millions?

During this election year, we need to ask those seeking to lead us: “How will you turn around the callous, uncaring country we are becoming?” and “How will you revive our commitment to caring for all our people?”

Pamela Day 
Portland