Letters to the Editor category, Page 31
Letter to the editor: A difficult time for democracy
One might argue Karl Marx was mistaken; it’s not, as Marx predicted, oppressed workers who are smashing capitalism, but bored billionaires. “Move fast and break things,” the guiding principle of Facebook, was adopted by billionaires across business and financial sectors. As I see it, an oligarchy composed of said billionaires,...
Letter to the editor: O’Connor for mayor
I’m glad I didn’t jump into Pittsburgh’s mayoral race too early. Watching this campaign unfold gave me time to evaluate each candidate — not just their record, but their values and how they campaign. I respect Mayor Ed Gainey, and I’ve worked with him to deliver for my district. But...
Letter to the editor: Support New Stanton firefighters
Dedicated volunteer firefighters are harder to come by today. The New Stanton Volunteer Fire Department conducts a seven-week fish-fry fundraiser during Lent each year. This past Friday, numerous volunteers spent eight to 10 hours frying fish, making cole slaw and serving our loyal customers to raise much-needed funds for a...
Letter to the editor: Politicians should talk to their constituents
In order for elected officials to truly understand the concerns of the communities they represent, it is necessary for them to interact with their constituents. According to the Council of State Governments: “A common thread shared by all constituents is their reliance on elected public officials to serve as their...
Letter to the editor: Schumer’s weakness means Pa. kids go hungry
In March, 10 senators crossed party lines to vote with Republicans on a budget resolution that razes public programs to pay for tax cuts for the rich. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer voted “yes” to the Trump/Musk budget that strips agriculture programs of $230 billion, potentially gutting the Supplemental Nutrition...
Letter to the editor: Tariffs and our national debt
Greetings, Mr. Guy Reschenthaler, How about being honest with yourself and your constituents? We do need a congressional representative who acts for us as well as for our beloved country. The No. 1 problem we have in the USA is still the debt that has accumulated and the need to...
Letter to the editor: Trump’s assault on natural resources
Supporters of Donald Trump who enjoy Pennsylvania’s outdoors likely did not expect him to launch policies so harmful to clean water, wildlife and public lands. If they are paying attention now, they’re fearful of our outdoors’ future. Trump’s gutting of natural resource and environmental agencies is something we’ve never seen...
Letter to the editor: You and I will pay for Trump’s tariffs
Who does Donald Trump think he is hurting with these tariffs? We are going to pay for them. Do you wonder why no one else came up with the idea? This is a tax on the American people and that is that. Do you think these other countries are just...
Letter to the editor: Sadopolitics and the bullying of Lesotho
President Donald Trump plans to impose 50% tariffs on Lesotho, a tiny country entirely surrounded by South Africa. Why? Lesotho’s population is 150 times smaller than America’s, its land mass 324 times smaller, its gross domestic product 4,221 times smaller. It doesn’t pose much threat. But then why bash Lesotho...
Letter to the editor: Norwin nearing bond debt limit
What kind of society bestows huge amounts of debt upon their youth? The USA is $36 trillion in debt, $18 trillion of which was incurred during the most recent administration. Who can possibly pay this? Certainly not us senior citizens. It will be the burden of our children and grandchildren....
Letter to the editor: Saddened by removal of Bucco Bricks
My grandfather bought a Bucco Brick when PNC Park opened. His father was born in the early years of the franchise and was a lifelong fan. He would often make the trek from Westernport, Md., after his shift at the paper mill to root on the Bucs. He passed on...
Letter to the editor: Oil prices vs. gas prices
Why aren’t gasoline prices following the downward trend in oil prices? West Texas crude oil lost $12 per barrel March 31 through April 8. Falling from $71 to $59. On April 9 it was trending lower. Gasoline prices locally have stayed mostly between $3.59 and $3.69 per gallon with some...
Letter to the editor: How about some concessions in the Pirates lineup?
Did anyone see and listen to Bob Nutting’s pre-home opener interview with broadcaster Greg Brown? I sure hope Brown was wearing boots and carrying a shovel. I haven’t heard that many falsehoods and bull cookies since an Alejandro Mayorkas news conference. Let’s face it: The Pirates are never going anywhere...
Letter to the editor: Don’t cut services to veterans, America’s heroes
I have a message for the Trump/Musk administration: Hands off veterans’ benefits! DOGE is planning drastic cuts to the Veterans Affairs Department which include: • Narrowing the list of qualifying medical conditions. • Replacing VA hospitals/clinics with privatized outpatient centers. • Eliminating 80,000 positions at the VA. • Terminating telehealth...
Letter to the editor: Voice of America not best use of taxpayer money
Can you hear me now or is anyone really listening? The writer of the letter “We have silenced ourselves” (April 11, TribLive) grieves the purge of Voice of America from the U.S. taxpayers’ checkbook. I guess baseball, hot dogs with Coke and Chevrolets will make the huddled masses see the...
Letter to the editor: Mystery of Chinese companies
Did you know that tens of millions of Americans have been investing in Chinese companies involved in advanced military weapon production, surveillance technologies and egregious human rights abuses? Unwittingly, I’m sure. For the past 25 years, approximately 5,000 Chinese companies have entered the U.S. capital markets without being properly vetted....
Letter to the editor: Destroying Social Security
Initially, I was perplexed about why Elon Musk and President Trump seemed to be targeting Social Security before other entitlements. Typically, Republicans advocate for cutting spending to reduce taxes. However, Social Security pays for itself with FICA, and because there is a cap, at most, each billionaire pays a little...
Letter to the editor: A closer look at Trump’s tariffs
I encourage everyone to look at President Trump’s tariff tax chart and compare his tariffs to the tariffs we are paying to other countries. Trump’s new rates are still a lot lower than the tariffs most countries are charging us. It’s about time somebody is looking out for the American...
Letter to the editor: Protecting everyone from measles
Thank you to Ian Karbal for shining a light on the concerning rise in measles cases in Pennsylvania (“Measles cases up in Pa. and some counties lag behind school vaccination targets,” April 7, TribLive). In this context, vulnerable populations include babies too young to be vaccinated, cancer patients in the...
Letter to the editor: Rural Roads Safety Week
The Westmoreland County Farm Bureau is recognizing Rural Roads Safety Week April 13-19 by encouraging county motorists to travel safely on roadways this spring and throughout the year. As the new season gets underway, tractors, farm trucks, wagons and other large equipment are once again traveling on Pennsylvania roadways. To...
Letter to the editor: Freeport’s ‘Les Miserables’ magnificent
Standing ovations! Thunderous applause! Sold-out performances! The audience moved to tears! All indications of a magnificent performance! Congratulations to the students, teachers and staff of Freeport Area High School on an extraordinary performance of “Les Misérables.” The vocals were clear, strong and compelling. Young people gave Broadway-worthy performances, bringing life...
Letter to the editor: Explaining insurance coverage for an ’emergency’
In the health insurance section of the Q&A advertisement on page A6 of the March 25 edition, there is a question about the definition of an emergency for HMO plan coverage for emergency room treatment. I don’t believe the answer provides a full explanation. I learned a more detailed explanation...
Letter to the editor: China, not Russia, our biggest threat
Sun Tzu, a Chinese military general and strategist, wrote the famous war strategy book “The Art of War.” This book is taught in U.S. military academies. Sun Tzu taught that “all war is based on deception and the supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting.” One...
Letter to the editor: Libraries vital to communities
The word library is a bit of a misnomer. It conjures visions of older women sitting behind desks, checking out books and stamping dates on cards. Libraries are actually vibrant places. In an average day as a volunteer at the Scottdale Public Library, I might encounter: • An older adult...
Letter to the editor: Speak up about air pollution
Regarding the article “Damage reported at U.S. Steel facility in Braddock, followed by an increase in air pollution” (Feb. 25, TribLive): Merely two days after a hole opened up in a heavy industrial factory, we saw a violation of normal pollutant levels in areas surrounding the factory. Immediately, officials came...
