The Issue: Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg taking three months of paternity leave.
First off — congratulations to Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and his husband on the arrival of their twin babies (“Oh, for Pete’s sake!” Oct. 17).
But just think: Had Pete been elected president, would he be taking months of paternity leave and relegating all his responsibilities to his vice president or any other of the court jesters?
Yes, Pete, federal workers can receive up to 12 weeks of family leave. But you swore to uphold your office as the secretary of Transportation. As such, you are a public servant to the millions of residents of this country.
Prices are going through the roof. The store shelves are devoid of products that ordinary citizens need to put on their table as well as other necessities and “high class” goods.
So, Mr. Secretary, how about dropping the last month of your entitlement and coming back to work for the American people full-time?
S. Kane
Brooklyn
Three months for paternity leave, especially one that does not involve a mother recuperating, is more than a bit too long.
Yet our totally inexperienced Transportation secretary is in no hurry to return to his job, in spite of the crisis.
This is but another example of how major administration leaders are selected.
Samuel Frazer
Ft. Myers, Fla.
A word to Pete Buttigieg: My husband received a very generous four weeks paid paternity leave when I had each of our four children via C-section. He worked his legal caseload every day and helped me handle the day-to-day as I recovered.
Paternity leave is not a free paid vacation: You have responsibilities and obligations to your job as you also bond with your babies.
The supply chain is broken due to government handouts paying workers to stay home. This was a self-imposed economic disruption.
Buttigieg needs to put on his big boy pants and get back to work. Stop making excuses and start coming up with solutions.
His husband can handle two babies on his own. He’s a grown man with a brain. He can figure it out. Women have been doing this for ages and with little or no help.
Theresa O’Brien
Melville
While I am not trying to minimize the fact that Buttigieg and his partner are trying to get acclimated with their newborn twins, we are looking at two healthy men who adopted two babies. No one gave birth and no one is breastfeeding.
Buttigieg can defend his paternity leave until the cows come home. But when he accepted the position of secretary of Transportation, he had to know that there may be times when country and the needs of the people must come before family. And this is one of those times
Ships can’t unload their cargo due to a manpower shortage, causing a shortage of goods, which is driving up prices and causing a supply-chain crisis.
Buttigieg should be hands-on, not at home. If he can’t rise to the occasion, he should step down.
JoAnn Frank
Clearwater, Fla.
Someone tell Buttigieg that his position is bigger than just himself. He should take a look at Colin Powell for some tips on real leadership.
Pete, you work for the American people — that has to come first. A Cabinet position requires some self-sacrifice. You need to take some leadership classes.
You are a disgrace to your position. Joe: Where do you get these people?
Ed Smith
Westfield, NJ
With the LA bottleneck of ships, it is apparent that Buttigieg is another misfit on President Biden’s rogue cabinet.
It is quite obvious that Buttigieg was rewarded this position after withdrawing from the 2020 president’s race.
To make matters worse, during the supply-chain crisis, Buttigieg has been at home with his husband on paternity leave.
Biden needs to smarten up and demand this clown’s resignation. Buttigieg seems better suited staying home.
Nicholas Maffei
Yonkers
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