Readers react: Freedom to vote and Orlando’s worst intersections | First Words | Orlando

¶ The Freedom to Vote act is essential

No matter where we live or our background, Americans want fair elections, where we all have the freedom to vote and make our voices heard on important issues such as providing affordable health care, creating good jobs and ensuring quality education. For months, the American people have been calling for national standards to protect our freedom to vote, ensure fair representation and get big money out of politics, and the announcement of the Freedom to Vote Act is proof that our voices have power in the halls of the U.S. Senate.

The Freedom to Vote Act is essential for fair redistricting: It bans partisan gerrymandering and helps ensure that all communities get the representation they deserve for the next 10 years and beyond. Importantly, it would also require every state’s map-drawers to hold public hearings, take input from voters, and explain how the maps they create are fair to both political parties and communities of color.

Just as we rose up to vote in record numbers in the midst of the pandemic last year to demand new leadership, we now need to rise up to demand that our senators pass this bill that sets national standards for us to safely and freely cast our ballots, ensure every vote is counted and elect people who will deliver for us.

Join me in supporting the Freedom to Vote Act and in urging our state’s senators to do the same.

— Madeline Clark, Baldwin Park

¶ Another thing we can all agree on

If there’s one thing that brings all Orlandoans together, regardless of race, creed or political affiliation, it’s pissing and moaning about traffic. We wrote about it (“These are the worst intersections in Orlando, according to Reddit,” Sept. 23) and sure enough, y’all had stuff to say.

@Jeff Smith: Orange and 17-92 in Winter Park. Fairbanks and Orange in Winter Park. Lakemont and Aloma. Aloma and 436. Princeton/Smith and Edgewater, 408 and John Young Parkway. John Young and I-4/33rd St./LB McLeod! Silver Star and Hiawassee, Horatio and 17-92 in Maitland, Red Bug Lake and 436 … should I continue?

@Edwin Rivera: Sand Lake and Turkey Road. The most disgusting thing to ever exist. Whatever urban planner, architect, engineer or firm that designed that current area deserves their title to be stripped.

@Paul C. Santos: “Hold my beer” — Lake Nona Blvd./Narcoosee Road/417 off- and on-ramp.

@Dennis Sedor: EVERY entrance/exit on I-4!

@Chris Kelley: I will say the 436/I-4 exit has been moving a lot smoother since the redesign, even during the busier times.

Got thoughts? Send brickbats and bouquets to feedback@orlandoweekly.com.