Sounding off: Bidenomics, Christmas, energy, politics among week's topics

Bidenomics has been disastrous

The article “Biden goes into 2024 with the economy getting stronger, but voters feel horrible about it” (Dec. 11, TribLive) quoted a few “experts” that stated they were “mystified” as to why Americans weren’t more positive about Bidenomics. They cited the reduced inflation rate of 3.2 % (annual rate in November), but failed to acknowledge the cumulative inflation of almost 20% since 2019. People’s wages simply haven’t kept up.

The article noted that 60% of Americans were living paycheck to paycheck but didn’t note that they didn’t have sufficient funds to cover a $500 surprise expense. The article didn’t note that credit card balances surged past $1 trillion, a clear indication of struggling consumers, or that the savings rate has plummeted to around 3%. Hardship withdrawals from 401(k) accounts are also on the rise, as are car loan late payments, 6.1% later than 60 days in the subprime category.

Given these additional facts, it is clear that the “experts” cited in the article were either asleep or had an agenda. Bidenomics has been a disaster for the country, and given the huge ongoing deficits, inflation will be difficult to contain.

John Tessaro

Manor

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Christmas is under attack

Yet again, Christmas is under attack. Multi-billion-dollar companies deceiving some into thinking that Christmas means getting and receiving material things, consumers flooding the stores of multi-billion-dollar owners, gluttons feasting on Christmas dinners, going to church and filling the coffers for the next golf outing, and yet homelessness hits a record high, the gap between the 1% and the rest of Americans grows ever wider, and innocent refugees are being turned away at the border.

I would love to see those who claim to be Christian really celebrate the birth of Jesus. Doing as Jesus would. Feeding the poor even if they are drug addicts, clothing the naked even if they are a minority, welcoming the stranger even if they are undocumented, and loving their enemies even if they are transgendered.

Whatever you do to the least of these, you do to Jesus himself. What would you do to Jesus? Celebrate Christmas by doing that. Happy holidays!

William Werts Jr.

Greensburg

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Strong women fight for our democracy

Former acting Attorney General Sally Yates, who opposed President Trump’s Muslim ban, was among the first to get fired because she stood up for the rule of law. She refused to be cowed by the most powerful man in our country. With integrity and courage, she put the country before her own well-being.

But she was not alone. Thereafter came Fiona Hill and Maria Yavanovitch, dedicated foreign affairs specialists with the fortitude to speak truth to power. For their efforts they were forced out of office. However, it was they who alerted us to the duplicity and extortion perpetrated by the chief executive.

Liz Cheney had the strength to take on her whole political party at extreme cost to her career and life’s work. She refused to be manipulated by power or money to accept betrayal of our democracy by those in power.

Others that should be mentioned are Cassidy Hutchinson, a truth teller; Ruby Freeman and Shane Moss, brave Georgia election workers; and Teresa Shook, organizer of the Women’s March.

It continues to date with Fani Willis and Letitia James, who join a long list of women lawyers who exhibited the moral fiber to stand for the rule of law against the most powerful forces in our government.

In the month of December, let us give thanks and praise to these courageous women who are fighting for the soul of our country and the tens of thousands of extraordinary women who are bound and determined to save democracy from the forces of evil.

Ken Baldonieri

Latrobe

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More energy production = more consumer savings

Natural gas development has yielded significant benefits for Western Pennsylvanians in terms of jobs, economic activity and cleaner air. Add consumers benefits to that list, with the Trib reporting that up to a 65% decline in purchased gas prices will be reflected in residential heating bills this winter (“Southwestern Pa. enjoying low natural gas prices after large drop from last year,” Dec. 5, TribLive).

Statewide average natural gas wholesale costs for utilities are down significantly since the dawn of the shale revolution, generating impressive average annual savings up to $2,200 per household. Not only is this good news for customers who use natural gas for heat and hot water, but it’s also a testament to the importance of supporting a thriving local natural gas sector to continue to deliver for residents – especially during the cold winter months.

Technological advancements pioneered by the Pennsylvania natural gas industry unlocked an abundance of resources in the region and quickly made Pennsylvania the country’s second largest gas producer. Increased availability of this energy source facilitated the buildout of clean natural gas-fueled power plants, slashing wholesale electricity costs while providing grid reliability and reducing emissions in the sector by more than 40% since 2005.

These strong indicators underscore the critical role of Pennsylvania natural gas in achieving consumer, environmental and economic gains in the commonwealth. Prioritizing the continued development and use of natural gas — debatably our most strategic energy asset — should be a goal for all if we want to see headlines like this ose from December 5th’ in the future.

David Callahan

Robinson

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Republicans’ revenge impeachment

I doubt that anyone is surprised that Republican U.S. House members have voted unanimously to continue and deepen the revenge impeachment proceedings against President Joe Biden. Biden’s self-appointed mortal enemy, Donald Trump, is surely delighted.

The House GOP is a bunch, after all, which cast their votes in unison for one of the most hypocritical, dangerous, election-denying religious frauds in history, Mike Johnson. The fact that Johnson would be placed in a position in which he is second in line to the presidency is chilling, causing me to even more fervently pray for the good health and longevity of Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris.

The Republicans seem to have no plan to aid the American people. They embroil themselves in culture wars and now, fulfilling the wishes of the base, to “get” the president at all costs.

The quote I heard this week from a commentator says it best: “The Republicans have made a compelling case for the impeachment of Hunter Biden.” They have provided a frightening preview of what we could expect from them if, God forbid, Donald Trump should return to the White House despite the 91 criminal charges against him.

Oren Spiegler

Peters

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Abortion not the answer to overpopulation

Regarding the letter “Abortion and overpopulation” (Dec. 7, TribLive): I am incredulous of the writer’s idea to alleviate overpopulation by killing unborn babies. Why stop there? Maybe you could create a committee to decide who among the elderly should be eliminated to alleviate overpopulation.

I cannot fathom how you consider the unborn expendable. Oh, and your never-ending belief in climate change? Only one can control the climate, and it’s not us. The good Lord is in charge there.

You are disgusting.

Jo Hartzell

Youngwood

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Hunter’s charges

In the article “Hunter Biden is indicted on 9 tax charges, adding to gun charges in a special counsel investigation” (Dec. 7, TribLIVE), defense attorney Abbe Lowell stated, “Based on the facts and the law, if Hunter’s last name was anything other than Biden, the charges in Delaware, and now California, would not have been brought.” Isn’t tax fraud a crime for everyone in the U.S.? If we owed money, you know they would be coming for us. Isn’t that why President Biden wants more than 85,000 more IRS employees?

President Biden said Hunter is the smartest person he knows (apparently he never met a lot of people I know), which says to me that whatever the president says, we should question it and not believe it. After all, look at what the president has done — in my opinion, nothing but really screw things up.

Hunter also has federal charges against him related to lying on gun purchase forms. The president tried to do a good job teaching him growing up, but it looks like he failed.

God bless this country. Boy, do we need it!

Cliff Long

Unity