Sounding off: Gun violence, politics on readers' minds

Senate must take action on gun violence

I read the essay Meredith Elizalde wrote about her son Nick, who was killed during a mass shooting at his school’s football game in September 2022 (“State leaders disdain gun victims,” Feb. 9, TribLive).

The reaction of lawmakers in Harrisburg to this mother’s grief is disturbing. The “condolences” from the office of President Pro Tempore Kim Ward are not accompanied by any plan to reduce gun violence. The “extreme disrespect” experienced by Elizalde from some members of the House Judiciary Committee and Ward at Gov. Josh Shapiro’s budget address makes me angry, and I see their disregard for the pain caused by gun violence. These legislators should have the courtesy and courage to look this mother in the eyes and tell her why they will not support the most basic gun violence prevention legislation. Ward even declined to meet with this mother of a slain child.

To anyone who cares about the lives of children, please go to Harrisburg on Advocacy Day May 7 (CeaseFirePA.org) to demand that our legislators do something about gun violence. The House has passed three very reasonable gun safety bills, and the Senate Judiciary chair, Lisa Baker, will not even allow similar bills to come out of committee in the Senate. Please contact her and your state senator and insist that these latest bills be brought to the floor for a vote.

Vivienne Selia

Murrysville

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Election Day on Passover is unfair

The article “Many Jewish voters will be impacted’ as Pa. primary falls on Passover” (March 25, TribLive) notes that the election will be held on the first day of Passover, one of the most sacred holidays celebrated in the Jewish faith. On the one day that voters may cast their ballots in person, many Jewish Pennsylvanians will have to choose between observing the requirements of their religion and exercising their basic right as citizens.

This is not fair. Imagine how Christians would feel if an election was scheduled for Christmas day! And, while Jews are affected this time, next time it could be another religious group since all major faiths celebrate holidays in the spring — Easter, Passover, Ramadan. The saddest thing is that this blatant act of discrimination is unnecessary and could easily be avoided.

Thirty of 50 states, both red and blue, have extended (“early”) voting, giving their citizens additional days to vote in person. This enables them to exercise their right to vote despite conflicts resulting from religious duties, work requirements, care-giving obligations or other personal challenges like transportation, disabilities or bad weather. Legislation enabling early voting addresses these issues and has been introduced in the Pennsylvania House. It should be taken up and passed swiftly by the Legislature.

Jeanette Trauth

Stephen Jurman

Penn Hills

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Trump commandments

Now that he’s become a religious publisher, here are some commandments we might expect from citizen Trump:

Overvalue thy properties for lenders and undervalue for collectors of tax.

Remember that the Lord provideth female begetting organs for men of fame or wealth to grab.

Belittle the meek, those with disabilities and women thy have raped.

Taketh the Lord’s name in vain and blaspheme before the innocent.

Cheat thy fellow taxpayers with business fraud.

Covet thy neighbor’s wife and thine own offspring.

Separate the gullible from their money and anoint them with diplomas of no worth.

Collect money for the Lord’s charities but place it in thine own purse.

Serve not thy country, as sacrifice is for suckers.

If thy should lose, refuse to honor the victor or accept defeat. Invent corruption to save thy face.

Abuseth the trust of thy followers and lead them into incarceration.

When confronted with justice for thy evil acts, cast thy accusers as evil.

Blessed are the boastfully rich who inherit their wealth and impoverish others.

If confronted with a plague, declare it a hoax, ignore experts bearing life-saving solutions and blame the deaths of millions on other nations.

Remember that those who threaten people of different faiths or skin colors are fine people themselves.

Thou shalt not welcome strangers, as they are rapists, thieves and murderers.

Thou shalt not render aid to friends in need as they have rendered aid unto thee.

Burden not thyself with town criers who spew facts, for they are the enemies of the people.

Speak not the truth, for it shall expose thy sins.

Jay Lynch

Upper St. Clair

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Biden and Trump on abortion, immigration

In the upcoming federal election you will have the choice of Joe Biden or Donald Trump unless some kind of shenanigans enter the fray. Biden prioritizes abortion and leaving the border practically open, breaking his oath of office with no liability.

If you vote for Trump, who employs people in businesses he runs, you get someone who will stop people from entering the country illegally, some of whom have killed, raped and robbed.

Simply, you choose between abortions that don’t harm you and illegal immigrants who may harm you. More millions of illegal immigrants increase the odds against you. Wake up.

Edward Biskup

Penn Township, Westmoreland County

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Biden the better option

I’m not the biggest Joe Biden fan, but I would rather have a steady hand steering the ship. One who doesn’t use lies, deceit and falsehoods for his own profit. A Christian, not a philanderer who is in the race for his own good, to save himself from justice for his many crimes. If the phony Bible-thumbing Donald Trump is elected, I believe there will be no religious freedom, among the other liberties we enjoy, he will try to take from us.

Don’t just hear Trump speak. Listen closely to all the absurdities as the story changes daily to cover yesterday’s lies. In my opinion, this man knows no limit to how low he will go to save his skin.

Leonard Mucci

Derry Township

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Income tax a penalty for success

An income tax, flat or otherwise, is not a tax on wealth. It is a tax on getting wealthy. With a graduated tax, the better job somebody does meeting customer needs, the more tax. Essentially, they are penalized for their success.

I’ve come to like the Pennsylvania income tax. The only problem I’ve had is if you lose money you can’t carry the loss forward to offset against next year, but that’s really a penalty on not doing a good job.

Bob Peirce

Venetia

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Wrong to fly flag upside down

If you hang your American flag upside down, you should have to pay a fine. It’s unpatriotic and embarrassing to veterans.

Jon Brady

Ligonier Township