Letters to the Editor category, Page 19
Letter to the editor: Unions causing state budget impasse
The Pennsylvania Legislature is stalemated in passing a new budget because the socialist Democrats are holding out for more money for mass transit and education. I think this is code for “let’s funnel more money to the bus drivers’ and teachers’ labor unions,” to whom they are beholden. Why should...
Letter to the editor: Stop, think and come together
I ask that you stop and think. Thinking can be hard, which is why we all judge at times. We have been divided to the point we cannot even talk about the present state of affairs with friends and family members. We have the power and ability to speak and...
Letter to the editor: Time for more thoughts and prayers
I’ve read that some guy named Charlie was the latest victim of senseless gun violence. But now is not the time for pointing fingers, assigning blame or addressing root causes. The only action appropriate at this time is sharing our thoughts and prayers with his family. Isn’t that what the...
Letter to the editor: We have a king in Trump
After defeating King George in the Revolutionary War, the Founding Fathers emphasized “states rights” in the Constitution for fear of too strong of a central government and another king. Only those “expressed” powers stated in Article 1, dealing with the executive branch, are for the federal government. All other powers...
Letter to the editor: Steelers fans stupid or in stupor?
As we wind down the spring “whine and cheese” bellyaching on the Pirates, now comes the fall edition (the Steelers). Trib columnist Mark Madden wrote a re-Mark-able column, “Stop supporting the Pittsburgh Pirates” (Aug. 4, TribLive), stating how stupid Pirates fans are for supporting that unworthy team. When I need...
Letter to the editor: Pa. Legislature’s budget inaction is indefensible
The Pennsylvania Legislature’s inability to come to a budgetary compromise once again proves that it is one of the worst waste of our tax dollars. This august body is the second highest paid legislature in the country and it is unable to accomplish its main function, providing an on-time state...
Letter to the editor: No room for blame in suicide
A boy died by suicide at Franklin Regional High School Sept. 14. Parents lost their son. Kids lost their friend. Teachers lost their favorite student. Shockingly, social media posts said things like “could have been prevented,” “parents should have done something” and “behavioral health makes them like zombies. You cannot...
Letter to the editor: A different view of Trump’s actions
I found on the Sept. 14 Opinion page some very balanced commentary concerning the tragedy of the Charlie Kirk shooting. Here is hoping the current administration begins to use a bit more tact in its comments, assessment and mandates that are proposed. Another opinion that stands out is the letter...
Letter to the editor: Animosity toward Kirk beyond ‘disparaging’
I found the Associated Press article “After Charlie Kirk’s killing, a growing chorus of conservatives wants his critics ostracized or fired” (Sept. 14, TribLive) very misleading, shifting focus from where it belongs. The line “Some conservatives are seeking to upend the lives and careers of those who disparaged Charlie Kirk...
Letter to the editor: Trump’s whims
I have a conspiracy theory of my own. Before I ramble like President Trump, let me start by using a political cartoon that appeared in the Trib. There were three drawings: a old man saying he can’t afford heat or medicine, an old woman saying she can’t afford food and...
Letter to the editor: Commissioners should enforce time limits on all
Public comment periods during Westmoreland County commissioners’ meetings are meant to give everyone an equal chance to speak — under the same rules and time limits. Unfortunately, that standard is not being upheld at the commissioners’ meetings, as of late. On more than one occasion, individuals have been allowed to...
Letter to the editor: Why won’t commissioners livestream meetings?
Transparency is the foundation of democracy, yet our Westmoreland County commissioners continue to ignore a simple request: livestream and record public meetings. In 2025, when technology makes this inexpensive and easy, their silence raises real concerns. Livestreaming is not a radical idea. It allows working families, seniors, and those with...
Letter to the editor: Ignoring history’s lessons on tariffs
“No taxation without representation.” That phrase lit the spark of the American Revolution, born out of resentment toward British tariffs. Time and again, tariffs have proved to be more than just economic policy — they are political tinderboxes. In the 1800s, they split North from South: Manufacturers demanded protectionism, farmers...
Letter to the editor: Disclosing donors’ information is dangerous
Trump. Shapiro. Hortman. Hoffman. Kirk. From the president to our governor to state lawmakers and now, an activist and nonprofit leader, violence against political figures in America is metastasizing seemingly by the day. When we justifiably fear harm to ourselves and our families for voicing our beliefs, the free society...
Letter to the editor: Commissioners made right decision on ballot curing
Regarding the article “Westmoreland commissioners decline to consider ballot curing for November election” (Sept. 11, TribLive): Why should “mail-in voters” get a “re-do” when they make a mistake on their ballot? They have the ballot for what, at least 24 hours before they can send it back? And up to...
Letter to the editor: Democrats have become party of evil
Let us speak truthfully and factually about the evil that has become the Democratic Party. I see it as a party that no longer believes there is anything good about America, a party that continually embraces failed radical ideas, psychological insanity and violence against anyone who speaks the truth. One...
Letter to the editor: Trump incapable of unifying country
It has become undeniable to me that President Trump is incapable of unifying this country. Why? First, he seems incapable of accepting views that do not align with his and has no interest in compromise. Second, I think he has bamboozled too many with his lies and diversions; if a...
Letter to the editor: Our moral fiber is crumbling
The recent assassination of Charlie Kirk and watching how some have responded has made me step back and look at the moral fiber of this country. Political violence in 2025 has no place in America. We are enlightened people who should be able to discuss, debate and share ideas without...
Letter to the editor: Harrisburg’s budget inaction is a disgrace
It has been more than 80 days since the deadline for the Pennsylvania state budget, and Harrisburg still hasn’t done its job. The excuse we hear from the Legislature is that they have “one item — transportation — to work out” before the budget can be finalized. That is not...
Letter to the editor: Charlie Kirk’s legacy will endure
Charlie Kirk will not be forgotten. He is forever young, exuberant, authentic. Powerful images that will not recede. His youth makes his death more tragic and his inspiration an irresistible force. Hank Baughman Latrobe...
Letter to the editor: Time for EPA to side with Pennsylvanians, not polluters
For years, Pennsylvania communities have been battered by increasingly severe storms and flash flooding, a stark reminder of climate change that swamps our streets, strains our sewers and threatens our homes. That is why the Trump EPA’s new proposal to roll back the “Endangerment Finding” is so dangerously shortsighted. Since...
Letter to the editor: RFK unfit to lead HHS
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s recent unhinged Senate testimony confirmed what we already knew: He is wildly unqualified to lead the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Even Kennedy himself admits, “I don’t think people should be taking medical advice from me.” On that point, he’s right. We need to...
Letter to the editor: Home-care worker shortage at crisis level
As the owner of a home care agency for almost 25 years, I’ve operated with the reality that the inadequate Medicaid reimbursement rates in Pennsylvania make it incredibly challenging to compete for a very limited pool of qualified workers. That challenge has now reached the level of impossible. States set...
Letter to the editor: AI robbing us of our future?
Can’t say why, I’m naturally vulgar, but the Ten Commandments remind me of the Dewey Decimal system. The connection may be in processes of listing and labeling. In one case, sin, and the other, books at the library. Among the Big Ten, the one that’s up my craw now is...
Letter to the editor: Westmoreland should allow ballot curing
Elections should ensure that every eligible voter’s voice is heard. But too many ballots are rejected over small, fixable mistakes like a missing date or signature. Ballot curing — allowing voters to correct these mistakes — protects voters from being silenced by paperwork. Across Pennsylvania, 36 counties let voters cure...
