Cyber Schools   

There are three bills dealing with public school funding that the Pennsylvania Senate must address. Contact Senator Kim Ward to let her know you support HB 1422, the Cyber Charter Reform Bill. In 2021-22 these schools pulled $1 billion away from our public school districts. Almost one half of that amount went for marketing and advertisement, such as sponsoring professional sports teams. That is how they are spending your tax dollars, your property tax. Forbes states that PA has long been a wild west for cyber charter schools with overfunding, poor graduation rates and poor oversight. The Senate must ensure that taxpayer dollars are spent wisely for the stated purpose and not to make CEOs richer.

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Also, the General Assembly must release the money in Level Up funding to use for Pennsylvania's most underfunded school districts. If the Senators really want to help students in poor preforming schools, this is one way to do so.

 

In addition, the House must vote NO on the PASS Scholarship (Lifeline Scholarship Vouchers). We taxpayers cannot be expected to additionally fund private and religious schools. The Commonwealth Foundation has raised millions to defeat any legislator that doesn't vote for their voucher scheme. We must remain vigilant against "Big Money" that wants to use vouchers and school choice as a way to privatize education. Privatizing essential services always increases the cost and decreases the service.

 

And by the way, the $100 million dollars for Private School Vouchers could be used to bring the poor performing public schools up to standards.

                                                     Chris Baldonieri 

 

 

Can Amazon Be A Good Neighbor?   

When I read your Amazon article of 8/17 I had mixed feelings. New jobs for the area are always welcomed. On the other hand Amazon comes with baggage. Its anti-union stance is legendary. The workers in New York voted for a union over a year ago and Amazon is stalling and battling with legal actions. In 2022 Amazon spent $14.2 million in a nationwide campaign to destroy union organizing.

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Then there is their troubling history of worker abuse. Amazon has been fined multiple times for failing to provide a safe workplace. Their employees have a much higher rate of injury than other comparable work places.

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The Guardian reports that the communities around Amazon warehouses pay the price in pollution, noise and destruction of infrastructure.

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The biggest negative is financial. Forbes reports that the return on investment for Amazon subsidies is dismal. By their calculations, $1 million in subsidies created 23 jobs, or government spends over $43,000 for a single job. It would cost taxpayers less to just pay those workers a salary and not subsidies to a man and his company who are worth billions while paying little or no taxes.

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Amazon had been looking for a warehouse in southwest Pennsylvania for years. I am guessing that they might have moved to our area without subsidies and with a living wage for all employees. Our local government must do better for its citizens.

                                                           Sandy Kramer

 

 

 

 

Inflation and Stock Buybacks  ...... 

According to U.S. Representative Katie Porter fully 54% of our current inflation is actually the result of corporate price-gouging of the American consumer. This corporate greed started in 1982 when the Reagan administration made stock buybacks legal, then Republican administrations allowed an unprecedented amount of corporate mergers resulting in virtual monopolies, and the last piece was the Trump corporate tax cuts allowing  companies to keep a greater share of profits. This lack of competition enabled companies to raise prices and blame supply chain issues. Then companies like Chevron, ExonMobile, Shell, Pepsi Co., Coca-Cola, Kimberly-Clark, Kraft-Heinz, Tyson Foods, Nestle, Colgate-Palmolive and McDonalds used stock buybacks to funnel the profits to shareholders. 

 

CEOs appear uninterested in lowering prices for the consumer, raising wages of their workers, or investing in their own corporation's future. Their primary concern is to make more money for themselves and their shareholders.

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There have been 27 anti-price gouging and anti-profiteering bills introduced in Congress since 2021. Corporations have lobbied hard against these bills, spending $820 million in one year. Corporate money and Republican obstruction have blocked these anti-price gouging bills from moving forward. However, these bills are wildly popular with the consumer (80%) who continue to feel the aqueeze on their pocketbooks.

                                                                          Mike Garing

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lets Make America Prosperous Again  ...... 

With FDR's progressive policies, strong unions, and investment in public education in the mid to late 1900's, the United States had the first world-class middle class. The 1950's, 60's, and 70's,  were the Golden Age of middle-class America. People could buy homes for the first time and their children could go to college. Then came the 1980's with Reaganomics, trickle-down theory, and the concept that greed is good and government is the problem. These ideas resulted in the shrinking of the middle-class from 62% to 42% of the population. Today with the massive inequality, we have the ultra-wealthy attacking the very programs that created our once thriving middle class and the prosperity that came with it. Big Money continues to assault unions with right to work laws (which means right to work for less) while CEO's are outrageously compensated and industries are recording unheard of profits while benefiting from corporate welfare. They continue to oppose a living wage for all working Americans and this greed is putting an extra strain on an already struggling middle class. Big Money continues to assault progressive policies by stating that they want to shrink government and debt, when, in fact, our debt is caused by tax cuts for the ultra-wealthy. Public education has suffered with the push to privatize  education. The goal is more money and opportunity for the few at the expense of the many.

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Power, money, and accountability can be challenged by numbers and voters. If the American people  would come together, for the greater good, we could reclaim our middle class and all the prosperity that comes with it. We could demand an end to the financialization of the economy and its obscene income and wealth inequality.

                                                                      Katie Forsythe

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Letter of the Week

Book Banning  ...... 

The article, "Revisions to Hempfield Area book policies advance" (Trib, 7/11), states that the School District is banning pictures of female breasts. How perverse. I believe this book banning thing has gone too far. Are we going back to the Spanish Inquisition with banning books and burning women at the stake?

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Book banning is the most widespread form of censorship in the U.S.. It is promoted by Moms For Liberty, a successor to the John Birch Society, which was a conspiracy-obsessed political fringe group, which also tried book banning. Moms for Liberty is funded by far-right political groups and has been labeled an extremist organization by the Southern Poverty Law Center.

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Books help children develop empathy for others. They expand one's knowledge and understanding of our very complex and diverse world. Choosing age appropriate books should be left to the professionals. We need to show teachers our trust and respect their expertise. Having individual parents choose books leads to chaos and confusion. In this age of the internet, with all sort of information at  our children's finger tips, banning books seems like an exercise in futility.

                                                                            Sandy Kramer

 

Pennsylvanians Deserve A Living Wage  ...... 

I disagree with Trib article of 7/2 on minimum wage. The author begins by stating, "The Law of Unintended Consequences" implying that unknown bad things will happen. But we know the consequences of raising the minimum wage from the myriad of recent examples. It will raise millions of low-paid workers out of poverty and at the same time stimulate the economy which adds jobs. Low paid workers tend to spend their pay. They do not bank it like the rich.

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The author states Pennsylvania does not need an increase in minimum wage because our cost of living is low. But in 2019 the reported living wage for a family of four in Pittsburgh was $36.69$ an hour. (livingwage.mit.edu) The median income in Pittsburgh in 2020 was $14.00 an hour according to Google. If both parents work at the median wage, they still make less than a living wage.

The official minimum wage in Pennsylvania is $7.25 an hour, which has not increased since 2009. Meanwhile, the General Assembly in only 2 years has increased their wage by 14% to a salary of over six figures. I imagine they believe their salaries should keep up with inflation even if they have only been on the job for a year or two.​

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                                                                                 Gloria Gralewski

 

 

 

Trump's Treachery ...... 

I recently read an article ( Thom Hartmann's "How Much Damage Has the Trump-Putin Collusion Inflicted of America?"---The Progressive Populist---7/1-15/2023) that included the following--In 1977 Donald Trump married Ivana, who was raised as a good Czech communist, whose father was an informer for the spy outfit StB. for the Soviet Union, Trump became a person of interest. When Trump and Ivana visited Moscow in 1987, they were recruited or seduced by the KGB, who determined Trump was vulnerable to flattery and not much of a deep thinker. Then after multiple bankruptcies, U.S. banks would no longer loan Trump money, Russian money revived Trump's fortunes. Puzzling, during the 2016 presidential campaign Trump surrounded himself with people who do business with and are sympathetic to Russia. Paul Manafort stands out because he propped-up Putin's man in Ukraine before assisting Trump. There were 140 contacts and 38 known meetings between Russia and the Trump campaign. Then  there was the damming Mueller Report, 34 individuals including those closest to Trump were indicted. Multiple times Trump fired or intimidated people in the Justice Department and attempted to prevent disclosure of information. Mueller stated that Trump could be indicted after leaving the presidency. There are credible assertions from American intelligence that when Trump was elected, members of Putin's inner circle were celebrating their victory. Troubling are the number of secret phone calls and meetings between Putin and Trump during his Presidency. The CIA admits to losing dozens of informants who were either captured, killed, or compromised. There are many books and articles detailing Trump's treachery.

                                                                                    Joanne Garing

 

 

 

 

Glacier V Teamsters ...... 

Supreme Court Justices are given lifetime appointments so that they will be immune to political influence. But the Federalist Society has created a quid pro quo system in which they receive lavish gifts from  wealthy benefactors. This legalized bribery has resulted in the Court trashing our norms, customs, precedence, and the constitution to reach conclusions favored by their patrons.

 

The Judges' corruption is evident in their Glacier v Teamsters decision (6/15 Trib). At issue was not compensation for damages. The issue was venue. The strike is protected by the NLRA and as such must be adjudicated by the NLRB and not the state or federal courts. As is evident in many of these Court's recent decisions, the notions of jurisdiction, standing, or precedence are thrown out the window to reach a judgement favored by Big Money. Because of this ruling, unions will be hesitant to go on strike for fear of being bankrupt by a mountain of frivolous lawsuits.

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The author of this article also rails against the union's campaign contributions; however, fossil fuel and real estate industries, securities and investments, and healthcare and pharmaceuticals pour billions into political campaigns. This money is courtesy of profits derived from over-charging you, the consumer. You are paying for their actions, whether or not you agree with their positions.

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Congress needs to create some sort of body with oversight of the Supreme Court. They shouldn't be above the law simply because there is no other higher court.

                                                                                        Michael Garing

 

 

We Need To Join The Regional Gas Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) ...... 

I strongly disagree with Representative Eric Nelson's position on Regional Gas Greenhouse Initiative (RGGI) and the use of fossil fuels. Contrary to his article, (Trib, 5/31), the data on Pennsylvania joining RGGI shows a win for our economy, our health, and our environment. RGGI, a successful pioneering market-based program to cut climate altering carbon pollution from power plants, has, since its inception, decreased carbon emissions by more than 50%, raised nearly $6 billion to invest into local communities, and added 48,000 job-years in participating states.

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Pennsylvania ranked fourth nationally in greenhouse gas emissions in 2020. Our region accounts for nearly half of that pollution. According to the latest research between the Kleinman Center For Energy Policy at University of Pennsylvania and Resources for the Future, an independent non-profit research institution, found that if Pennsylvania were to adopt the RGGI the state could potentially reduce its electricity sector emissions to 84% below 2020 levels in 2030, generate additional revenue, and see minimal to no impact on electricity rates. For Pennsylvanians who can no longer deny the effects of climate change, it means reduced pollutants linked to asthma  attacks and other respiratory diseases, developmental delays and cancer to name a few.

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Pennsylvania Constitution states: "The people have a right to clean air, pure water, and to the preservation of the natural, scenic, historic and esthetic values of the environment." The use of fossil fuel is incompatible with that right.

The majority of people in PA approve of being a part of RGGI.

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Americans for Prosperity, an organization that actively opposes clean energy and carbon legislation, funded by the fossil fuel barons, the Koch brothers, gives Rep. Nelson a 96% approval rating. Enough said.

                                                                  Patricia Oliver

 

 

Thank You Joe ...... 

It is encouraging to pick up the Trib these days and see the reporting of the increase in economic activity in our region. From the removing of dangerous and dilapidated buildings, to the capping of abandoned oil and gas wells, to the rebuilding of our roads, bridges, dams  and airports using Made in America materials and being built by American workers, President Biden''s initiatives are delivering for middle America. Finally, we have a President who is aggressively championing programs for Main Street and not Wall Street. From the development of New Kensington's manufacturing and Carnegie Mellon's establishment of an artificial intelligence institute, to production of ultium cells and Pittsburgh's designation as a Workforce Hub, our area's research and development is humming. Thank you Joe.

 

These projects are just some of the 277 Pennsylvania-specific plans in the works, including investing in clean water, removing lead pipes, increasing access to high-speed internet service and clean public transportation, upgrading our power grid, cleaning pollution with the increase in the Superfund, and bolstering our resilience to extreme weather.

 

But, we can do better. Vote for reasonable lawmakers who will cooperate with President Biden to advance the people's agenda and not simply be an agent for obstruction. There is more work to be done on tackling economic inequality, affordable health care, gun violence, the climate crisis, and corruption.

                                                                                            Christine Baldonieri

 

Banks and Regulations

When it comes to banks, "Regulation foes took aim at bank rules in 2018" (March 22, Trib), it appears we are in a vicious cycle. Due to mismanagement banks fail, the taxpaying middle class bails them out, Congress enacts regulations, over time the regulations get watered down, banks fail and the cycle repeats itself over and over. 

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It is time for a change. Instead of calling the rules "regulations" call them "laws". When bad actors break the law, they can be criminally charged.

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Better yet, let's have a public state bank. North Dakota has successfully had a state-owned bank since 1919. Instead of engaging in risky behavior to increase profits for shareholders, that money could be invested into the community to meet the public needs. Money from Pennsylvania for Pennsylvania. Billions each year are paid in high interest rates by local governments to private banks which give local governments lower credit scores than private corporations, even though private corporations are more likely to default. A public bank is a way to finance state and local investment that doesn't go through Wall Street and doesn't leave the community and turn into a windfall for shareholders. It is about community development. It is about accountability to the public and not stockholders.

                                                             Sandy Kramer

 

 

 

The Danger Of Passivity And Indifference ...... 

Martin Niemoller, a Lutheran pastor in Nazi Germany, penned these words: "First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out-because I was not a socialist. Then they came for the trade unionists and I did not speak out-because I was not a trade unionist. Then they came for the Jews and I did not speak out-because I was not a Jew. Then they came for me--and there was no one left to speak for me."

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It would be prudent to remember these words, especially today when people are fearful and alienated. Some are trying to bring down our democracy. Some are trying to divide us based on race, religion, or political affiliation. They are demonizing marginalized groups, banning books, promoting vigilantism, taking away our voting rights, our bodily autonomy, and our economic security.

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Martin's words remind us of the danger of passivity and indifference in the face of wrong doing. Our action or inaction will determine the future of our country. "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing"- Edmund Burke.

                                                                                        Katie Forsythe

 

 

 

 

Holding The Middle Class Hostage ...... 

The Republican temper tantrum is over, but not before they held the country hostage in the debt ceiling crisis, with their warped financial views. They love to stamp their feet and beat their chest when the government is using its resources to help 90% of us. They scream, too much debt, we can not take care of our citizens, we do not have the money.

 

But let the topic change to cutting taxes for the wealthy and the debt is no longer a concern. The Republicans are down with cutting taxes for big corporations and the super-wealthy. Just look at the trifecta tax cuts of Presidents Reagan, Bush, Trump. They have reduced our federal revenues by trillions of dollars and are primarily responsible for the increase in our national debt. The Republicans seem to be more concerned about working for their donor class than the middle class.

 

They are apparently unconcerned with our economic inequality. The Republicans continue to block President Biden's efforts to rescind the economically devastating Trump tax cuts for the wealthy and corporations. They obstruct efforts to increase the minimum wage, something we know will stimulate the economy. They blocked efforts to give the IRS the resources to go after wealthy tax cheats. Over a third of our most profitable corporations have payed nothing in federal income tax as have Jeff Bezos, Elon Musk, George Soros, Michael Bloomberg and Carl Icahn, etc..

We must insist on wage and tax reform.

                                                                                              Sandy Kramer 

 

 

 

Elected Officials Should Be Held To The Same Standards ...... 

If the average person lies on an employment application, they can get fired. If they lie under oath, about their taxes, to the police, or on a mortgage application, it is a criminal offense; they can be fined and face jail time. Why do we hold our elected officials to a lesser standard? President Lyndon Johnson lied and over 58,000 American soldiers died in the Vietnam war. President Bush lied, and 4,000 to 5,000 American soldiers died in the Iraq war with many more wounded or suffering from PTSD. In both Vietnam and Iraq untold civilian lives were lost. Former President Trump lied about Covid. It is estimated that 40% of the over one million U.S. deaths could have been prevented if Trump had been honest.

 

Unlike the average person, none of these Presidents have been held accountable for their lies. These deceptions had enormous consequences, far greater than fudging a mortgage application. There should be consequences commensurate to the damage of their lies. If lies cause pain and suffering or death to others, there should be accountability. Political dishonesty has become so pervasive; it has reached epic proportions and is tearing our country apart. People do not know what or who to believe. They have become angry and are lashing out at one another.

 

We must insist that our government and public servants act honestly and with integrity. They must be accountable for willful duplicity that causes harm. If it is a crime for us to lie to the government, then the same should be true when the government lies to us.

                                                                                         Michael Garing 

 

 

 

 

No FBI Criminality ...... 

The Trib's head-line "Counsel blasts Russia probe", 5/16/23, conveys Durham's opinion. A more informative head-line could have read "No FBI criminality", which states a fact and not a point of view.

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John Durham's investigation brought criminal charges against 3 people. Two cases were thrown out of court. The third person pleaded guilty to altering an e-mail concerning Carter Page who was already exonerated by the Mueller report. No FBI criminality was found. Compare Durham's result with those of Mueller, which included: 34 people and 3 companies indicted, convicted or pleaded guilty; Roger Stone, Trump's confidant, criminally guilty on 7 counts; Paul Manafort, Trump's campaign chairman, who previously worked for Putin's puppet in Ukraine, guilty on 8 counts; Michael Flynn, Trump's former National Security Advisor, pleaded guilty; Rick Gates, former Trump campaign aide, pleaded guilty; Michael Cohen, former Trump personal lawyer, pleaded guilty; George Papadopoulos, former Trump campaign advisor, pleaded guilty; etc. At the judiciary Committee Meeting, when asked if Trump could be charged with obstruction of justice after he left office, Mueller answered yes.

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There may have been mis-steps in the FBI's investigation but the facts remain unchanged. Former President Trump said the FBI scammed the American Public, but it seems Trump is the only one doing the scamming.

                                                                                           Joanne Garing 

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Backing the Blue ...... 

A recent feature article regarding law enforcement line of duty deaths was truly disheartening and speaks to our culture of gun violence. Eight local officers who lost their lives while serving our communities were highlighted. Five of those eight officers were fatally shot while responding to domestic disputes. At least some of those deaths may have been preventable.

We talk big of "Backing the Blue", but to do so, we must support sensible gun safety laws. We need background checks to truly keep guns out of the hands of abusers. There must be restrictions on gun purchases and ownership. We need consistent application of laws regarding abusers. Law enforcement cannot continue to be out-armed and ambushed by those who have no business owning guns.

Except for years when Covid deaths outpaced gun deaths, in recent years, including 2022, the leading cause of death of our police officers has been due to guns, homicides first, but also suicides. To support our police, we must support adequate gun safety laws. The majority of Americans want stronger gun safety laws. If we truly want to Back the Blue, we must demand action from our lawmakers.

                                                                                         Lisa Messineo

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Child Labor In America ...... 

It was depressing to read "States chip away at child labor laws, 4/23 Trib." This past century we fought hard for laws to protect workers against unfair labor practices and to protect our children against exploitation. Stories of our youth in sweat shops, mills and mines are still vivid. We thought that was all behind us. But now, the U.S. Department of Labor reports a 69% increase in the number of children employed illegally since 2018. Unfortunately the penalties for breaking child labor laws are minimal, a slap on the wrist. It is written off as the cost of doing business.

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The captains of industry consider even that  too much. They have gotten some lawmakers to do their bidding in rolling back child labor protections. To read their justifications "valuable work experiences", "supplement their families incomes" is nauseating. They are abusing our most vulnerable so they can make more money, period. It is interesting, some lawmakers profess to being pro-life, wanting to outlaw abortion. Yet, these same lawmakers, when children are being killed by guns, they vote against gun safety laws. When the children are being exploited by unscrupulous businessmen, they vote to facilitate that abuse.

                                                                                              Gloria Gralewski

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Moving Forward To Save Our Planet ...... 

I believe the Trib is doing a disservice to its readers when it publishes articles promoting the natural gas industry. We know all too well the devastation the industry causes to our health and environment. Yes, natural gas produces about half the carbon dioxide emissions than coal power when burned but the primary component of natural gas is methane, a potent greenhouse gas emitted throughout the development supply chain. To promote fossil fuel use when the window to save a livable planet is narrowing is shortsighted. Already we are seeing the "limits of adaptation" with rising sea levels, desertification, extreme heat, and for many, a lack of food and safe drinking water. The planet's temperature is increasing quickly and dangerously and creating an existential crisis. We need to be a leader in this effort because we are one of the biggest polluters. A massive mobilization, similar to that of WW11, is needed. Back then our country converted our industrial might to a wartime footing to combat fascism. Now we must mobilize that might to fight the climate crisis. The conversion to green energy must greatly accelerate. Generating electricity and transportation vehicles must rely on clean energy. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle should be the rallying cry. It is essential that America gains the cooperation of countries around the globe, especially the other major offenders such as China and India. We know how to do this. We worked with many countries including China on the Human Genome Project. This collaboration must work if we are to battle the climate crisis. Let's get this done.

                                                                                           Patricia Oliver

 

 

 

 

 

 

Meaning Of Socialism ...... 

It is baffling that some people feel they can hurl the word socialist at someone as a slur to insult and demean that person. In reality, we are all socialists as well as capitalists. The U.S. has a mixed economy. It works according to an economic system that features characteristics of both capitalism and socialism. Most advanced countries are a mixed economic system that protects some private property and allows a level of economic freedom in the use of capital, but also allows for governments to intervene in economic activities in order to achieve social aims and for the public good. At its core socialism is when a society does things for the common good.

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Capitalism and socialism can work well together. They prevent one another from becoming too extreme, too radical. Extreme socialism leads to concentration of power which leads to tyranny. Extreme capitalism leads to concentration of wealth which leads to tyranny.

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Taking up a collection in church to help a family whose house burned down is socialism. North Dakota's publicly-owned bank is socialism. Municipally owned sports stadiums, our military, postal service, police and fire departments, public schools and parks, public infrastructure, Social Security and Medicare, all are socialistic. We are all beneficiaries of a capitalist, socialist society.

                                                                                      Joanne Garing

 

 

 

 

It Can Happen Here ...... 

The Norfolk Southern train derailment at the border of Pennsylvania and Ohio brought national/world attention to a disaster that could happen in any community located along the railroad's path. In Westmoreland County that means Greensburg, Latrobe, West Newton, and Irwin could have exchanged places with East Palestine. The findings of the investigation will go on for years, but the catastrophic effects of this event on the people and the communities is evident.

 

We all adhere to regulations to make our lives safer; getting your vehicle inspected, obeying traffic signals, and adapting to changes in construction zones. Why is the public held accountable to regulations while corporations are allowed to sidestep them spending millions to lobbying to have regulations removed that protect citizens, communities, and personal property. Corporate greed and profits far outweigh concern for the result of their actions. The welfare of people and the community is secondary to the bottom line: how much money can we make.

 

The previous president, in 2017, allowed deregulations to take place. The people and communities of East Palestine and surrounding areas are suffering the consequences of a decision: profit over human safety.

 

Lobbyists serve the interest of their employer, not individuals when it comes to regulations that protect public safety. Lobbyists should have NO seat at the table debating what the government does to protect its citizens and communities. The government and elected officials need to put their priority on the people and do a better job of protecting their constituents instead of their wallet.

                                                                                       Katie Forsythe   

 

 

 

 

 

Train Derailment In East Palestine ...... 

The disastrous train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, has put a spotlight on the railroad industry. Their average profit margin since 2001 has steadily increased from 15% to 50% in 2019. The national average profit margin for U.S. industries is 9% but for railroads it is five times the average. This outrageous profit is adding to the high cost of goods that is hurting the already battered middle class.

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The CEOs of 5 major rail companies averaged more than $16 million in compensation, more than 162 times the median salary of railroad workers. In addition to unfair wages is unfair "precision scheduling", being on-call 90-95% of the time, which makes any quality of life impossible. Add to that, longer trains and fewer workers and the result is 3 train derailments every day. This brings into question the competency of the CEOs.

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So we have outrageous profits and executive compensation, on top of the staggering amount the industry spends on stock buybacks, dividends and lobbyist, and you begin to understand why the price of goods and services is crushing the middle class.

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Tell our government we demand a reversal of our massive economic inequality. They need to pass the Price Gouging Prevention Act, the 2% Wealth Tax Bill and approve President Biden's 25% tax on billionaires. We need a revision of the tax code and salary guidelines so that everyone pays and receives a fair share.

                                                                                                    Gloria Gralewski 

 

 

McGonigal Arrest Raises Questions ...... 

This nightmare just will not go away. We know that Oleg Deripaska was a key coordinator of Russia's foreign influence operation in the 2016 presidential campaign. We know he was associated with Paul Manafort, the ex-operative for Putin's puppet regime in Ukraine, ex-campaign adviser for President Trump, and ex-felon whom Trump pardoned and for whom he unwound seized assets.

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We know that Charles McGonigal, a former senior FBI counterintelligence officer in the New York office, was indicted in January on money laundering and corruption charges in connection with none other than Deripaska, Putin's go-to guy. We now know that Rudy Guiliani was very close to the FBI's New York office, which had a reputation for being pro-Trump. 

This arrest of McGonigal makes it clear that we still do not know all of the facts surrounding our 2016 presidential campaign and that we are still vulnerable to Russian influence operations. We do not know why the Justice Department has not indicted Trump with obstruction of justice charges. Special Counsel Robert Mueller stated that after Trump left office he could face criminal charges as a private citizen.

 

Is Rep. Jim Jordan's investigation into the FBI an attempt to muddy the waters about the McGonigal case similar to then-Attorney General William Barr's attempt to muddy the water in the Mueller Investigation?

                                                                                               Dan Kramer  

 

 

White Supremacists Terror Attacks...... 

The Center for Strategic and International Studies has reported that the incidence of domestic terrorism attacks are on the rise. These attacks come from the far right and the far left. The Center emphasized that the words right and left do not refer to the Republican or Democratic parties but rather indicate a small group of individuals on the extreme fringes. Violence in America has risen to alarmingly high levels, corroding our political processes, substituting force and fear for debate and compromise. Increasingly bellicose language from our national leaders, lawmakers, and television personnel create an atmosphere of grievances, resentment, fear and anger. The level of threats and intimidation to our public servants, election workers, nurses and doctors, teachers and librarians has reached new heights.

 

The Center indicated that between 1994 and 2020, we had 893 terrorist attacks and plots. 57% were perpetrated by extreme right-wing white supremacists. 2/3 of the terrorist attacks and plots in 2019 and over 90% of terrorist fatalities in 2021.

 

Our government must do more to deal with hate speech and acts, and law enforcement must have better tools to handle these corrosive situations.

                                                                                                    Michael Garing                                                                                     

 

Sensible Gun Laws...... 

America has a gun problem. We are world leaders in both gun ownership and deaths. Statistics show 120 guns per 120 Americans. In the first 6 weeks of 2023, there were 71 mass shootings. We have become numb to media reports of the carnage that affects civilians and law enforcement alike. The police are often out armed.

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The surge of gun purchases during the pandemic did not make us safer. Studies show in homes with guns, the guns are more likely to be used against someone in the home, more often a woman, than for self defense. Guns are rarely used against intruders.

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We feel unsafe in our schools, churches, places of work, and communities. Then, cite the 2nd Amendment and the need to protect ourselves. We do not need to gut the 2nd Amendment to achieve change. The 2022 bipartisan Safer Communities Act is a start, but not enough. We need universal background checks, a truly national registry, consistent laws and enforcement regarding domestic abusers, more restrictions on gun modifications and tracking of ghost guns. We need reinstatement of the Assault Weapon Ban.

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The majority of Americans favor stricter gun laws. We need legislators to push forward bills to keep us safer, and to show us who back both us and the Blue.

                                                                                                    Lisa Messineo

 

 

How Will You Vote...... 

One hundred percent of Republicans in Congress voted against prosecuting rich tax cheats, 100% of Republicans in Congress voted against cheaper insulin, 100% of Republicans in Congress voted against cheaper prescription drug prices; voted against cheaper gas, voted against the Voting Rights Act, voted against fighting climate change, voted against ending gerrymandering, voted against the stimulus checks, voted against Roe vs. Wade, and voted against the child tax credits. How  will you vote the next time you go to the polls?

                                                                                                    Sandy Kramer

 

 

 

 

 

Democracy and Protecting Public Education Go Hand In Hand...... 

The Trib's recent articles criticizing public education speaks to the ill conceived effort in Pennsylvania to privatize education. Under the guise of vouchers or parental choice the extreme right's elite class of billionaires want to corporatize one of the foundations of our middle class. They want more of our taxpayer dollars going into their pockets. Taking tax dollars away from public education to give to private entities will destroy our public education system. A system that is a great equalizer and played a big part in expanding our middle class. The current three generations of my family has prospered due to public education. Do not let the billionaire class destroy that opportunity for the next generation.

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Religious schools are part of private schools. Do you want your tax dollars subsidizing religious schools? Do you want your tax dollars subsidizing elite expansive private schools? There are problems in our public schools. Let's put our energies to work fixing areas what should be improved. But don't through the baby out with the bath water.

                                                                                              Joanne Garing

 

 

 

 

Gun Violence In America...... 

Ninety-nine percent of Republican lawmakers voted against banning assault weapons and 96% voted against common sense background checks before gun sales. Both of these safety measures are supported by the majority of Americans and would save countless lives.

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According to the Gun Violence Archive, there were 648 mass shootings in 2022. Despite this, GOP legislators blocked the Domestic Terrorism Prevention Act, which was designed to combat the growing threat of domestic violent extremist groups and individuals by ensuring that law enforcement had the resources needed to identify and prevent this type of violence. 

As of February 6, there were 60 mass shootings reported this year that resulted in 92 deaths and 240 injuries. That doesn't include the over 1,200 gun deaths in this country so far in 2023.

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January 6 saw a domestic violent attack against the very institution that governs our free nation. Law enforcement personnel were injured and died as a result of the mob attack on the Capitol. Other instances of political violence include the attack on Paul Pelosi, the plot to kidnap the Michigan governor, and a Republican candidate paying men to shoot at Democratic lawmakers' homes. Even election workers, school board members, and librarians have had to endure harassment and death threats.

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The GOP has purposefully ignited violence for partisan political purposes. They normalize the use of violent rhetoric, which has become a dangerous and alarming hallmark of their messaging.

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When did the law and order party become the vigilante party that advocates vengeance and a blatant disregard for law and order?

                                                                                             Katie Forsythe

 

 

 

Balance of Wealth and Power...... 

It is noticeable that many of the Trib's opinion pieces are written by the Commonwealth Foundation and the Allegheny Institute for Public Policy. I consider these two organizations to have extreme right-wing conservative and libertarian beliefs. To me their objectives are, no taxes no regulations and privatize everything. They worship at the alter of unfeathered free markets, the law of the jungle.

 

The Economist Robert Reich's approach is that there can be no "free Markets" without rules. He states, "Government doesn't intrude on the free Market. It creates and maintains a market that works for all of us." But today, "our economy is influenced by giant corporations, big banks, and wealthy individuals with enough resources to be heard. Their money buys lobbyist campaign contributions, and public relations campaigns. And so the notion  of the "free market" becomes a kind of  smokescreen used by the very rich to continue rigging a system they're already rigged to their benefit. The debate should not be about free markets vs. government interventions but about power and who wields it." It should be about how we the people should have a seat at the table. How we should benefit from the fruits of our labor and our economy. We the middle class need to speak out and demand our fair share. If Republicans and Democrats unite, we could take on the one percent.

                                                                                            Gloria Gralewski

 

 

 

 

 

Toxic Waste Site Should Not Be In OUR Backyard...... 

Residents of Western Pennsylvania Beware! We are at risk! MAX Environmental plans to build a new hazardous dump on the banks of the Sewickley Creek, a tributary of the Youghiogheny River, threatening drinking water for thousands. We have some of the worst air quality in the nation with MAX releasing the highest airborne lead pollution in Pennsylvania. For years, DEP has ignored our poor air quality. In 1948 in Donora, 20 people died, within 6 days another 50 were found dying, hundreds of citizens were left disabled from a mix of pollutants and a temperature inversion.  For 50 years, toxic wastes have been dumped in Yukon. Max and its predecessor  Mill Service have had hundreds of violations, spewing harmful chemicals into the air and water, threatening our health. This new MAX dump will be the ONLY hazardous dump in all of Pennsylvania. They will dump untreated wastes including arsenic, benzene, lead, chromium, and radioactive wastes.  Why would the DEP  consider allowing a known polluter to continue? Remind our County Commissioners that allowing this dumpsite to go forward in NOT acceptable! If they turn their backs on the voters in Westmoreland county, come this November we will vote them out. Commissioners and the DEP should say no to MAX!

                                                                                          Patricia Daly Oliver

 

 

 

 

Wealth In America...... 

From the results of this past November election, one can conclude that a stable democracy is important to the people of Pennsylvania. We do not want our legislature to be able to nullify our votes, or Republican lawmakers claiming the 2020 election was stolen, or Representatives going to court to oppose certifying a duly elected President, or lawmakers participating in an insurrection. We do not want a one-party autocracy.

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But here we are, two years after the 2020 election and our General Assembly is still tampering  with our democracy. They are again going to court, this time to prevent voters from filling three vacant seats in heavily Democratic districts just so they can maintain their majority a little while longer. They are ok with voters not having representation just so they can stay in power.

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It is unfortunate they are not as interested in passing legislation that will help us, as they are with expanding their power. Most Republicans and Democrats want the same things from our lawmakers: a fair wage and taxation system, clean water and air, safe streets, good public schools, affordable healthcare, the freedom to choose our own religion. Our do-nothing legislature is MIA with our most important issues, while they are working overtime demolishing our two-party system.

                                                                                                Michael Garing

 

 

 

 

Wealth In America...... 

The top 1% of Americans own around 32.1% of the country's total wealth, the 90 to 99% own around 37.7% , the 50 to 90% own around 28%, and the bottom 50% own around 2.6% of the country's total wealth. We have not seen this level of inequality since the early 1900's and the robber barons of the Gilded Age.  At that time, extreme inequality lead to the Great Depression which in turn lead to Hitler, Stalin, and Mussolini. It is said "those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it." We do not want to repeat that terrible time in history.

 

 Tax cuts for big corporations and the wealthy has significantly eroded the middle class. The rich are getting richer and the rest of us are getting poorer. In 2020 the median wage increased by $26, but for those making over a million dollars, the increase was $300,000.

 

We must demand a fair taxation system from our government. Everyone and every corporation should pay their fair share of taxes no exceptions. Congress must undo the damage done by these tax cuts.

                                                                                             Julie  Bojalad

 

 

Thank You Pennsylvania...... 

Thank you Pennsylvania. This past November you went to the polls and voted for democracy, for the rule of law, for action on the climate crisis, for bodily autonomy, for good paying union jobs, for the right to have clean air and water, for affordable healthcare, for quality public education, for living wage, for equitable taxation. And, you voted against fascism, vigilantism, privatization of essential public services and necessities, government restriction of religious freedom and reproductive freedom, no to gun violence, restrictions on voting, lies and conspiracies theories, and white nationalism.

You made a difference for our state, for our country. Thank You.

                                                                                        Sandy Kramer

 

 

This Is Not The First Time...... 

I have been listening to the podcast, "Ultra" by Rachel Maddow. It is frightening and at the same time reassuring. Reassuring in that our current political situation is not unique, we have been there before, and frightening in that our democracy can be so fragile. "Ultra" takes us back to the 1930's and 40's when American First Committee and Father Coughlin's inspired Christian Front reared their ugly heads. Thousands of Americans belonged to these organizations including many members of Congress. Some of them were on Hitler's payroll to spread Nazi propaganda.

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The similarities between then and now are jarring. Their White Christian Nationalist goal was a violent insurrection to overthrow the U.S. government and install a racist authoritarian state. They tried to delegitimize the 1940 election. They used fear, intimidation, and harassment to divide Americans along racial, religious and political lines. They attacked the Justice Department and the press.

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The Justice Department did bring members to trial on sedition charges. But powerful politicians quickly turned the trial into a circus and chaos ensued. The trial ended without charges being made. However, thanks to a diligent press the scandal did not die and the American public  voted those congressmen who were involved out of office. Hopefully this time around the Justice Department will not cave and, no matter the politics, will bring those involved in the insurrection to justice. If not, we citizens will again vote them out.

                                                                                              Joanne Garing

 

 

 

 

 

 

Is This Who We Want To Be ? 

The far-right often talks about the supremacy of freedom and liberty. America is the land of the free and the home of the brave. However, their actions have consequences that diminish the freedom of some. In Georgia vigilante supporters have targeted election workers with death threats and physical intimidation.  In Texas, their abortion law permit citizens to sue anyone who helps a woman obtain an abortion after 6 weeks. The law allows ordinary citizens to be deputized as bounty hunters. Vigilantism is replacing the rule of law. There has been an increase in death threats, spying, hate mail and bomb threats.

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There are 191 bills across 40 states seeking to limit classroom instruction on gender, sexual orientation, race and American history. In Florida, Palm Beach County schools were instructed to remove books that even implied the existence of systemic racism and sexism. In Florida, students can file lawsuits about their classmates. In New Hampshire, teachers can lose their license if they teach about race, sex, gender and other  sensitive issues. Schools can be sued by anyone and informants receive a $500 bounty.

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Rather than the land of the free, this sounds like an authoritarian surveillance state. One reminiscent of Hitler's Germany or the communist government in East Germany where citizen informants reported on their families, friends and neighbors. Is this who we want to be? 

                                                                                    Gloria Gralewski

 

 

 

 

Who Is To Blame? 

The media was quick in blaming Donald Trump for the outcome of the recent election. However, the Republican party played a major role, along with the right-wing media and conspiracy followers, who elevated the past president to the status of "Prophet of the Republican Party."

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How many times over the last 6 years did the GOP and the right-wing media have the opportunity to speak out against his lies,  misinformation, and self-serving platform? Many opportunities were present. For starters, there were two impeachment trials addressing his transgressions and the Big Lie that the 2020 election was stolen. The same lie the Republican candidates are now using in Arizona and not allowing the votes to be certified. Who can forget Trump inciting an insurrection? His loyal followers, on January 6th, attempted to destroy our seat of Democracy and the peaceful transfer of power. Then there was the theft of classified documents. These were all opportunities for the Grand Old Party to denounce his actions, but instead, they vilified others, made up excuses for what transpired, or remained silent. 

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The GOP has emboldened Trump, and in doing so has given a platform to others like Ron DeSantis, Majorie Taylor Green, and Ron Johnson to openly spread fear and lies about LGBTQ, Jews and minorities. They propagate hate and violence with their white supremacist, anti-democratic talking points that incite people to lash out at any group they deem not worthy of their approval.

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This isn't on Trump. This is on the Republican Party who have allowed and even promoted this Neo-fascism movement to take root and threaten the very fiber of our democracy and our individual freedoms.

                                                                              Katie Forsythe

 

 

 

 

President Biden's Accomplishments... 

Even with the Senate split 50-50, President Biden's accomplishments in just two years are very impressive. His handling of COVID-19 saved countless lives. Medicare coverage improved. Childhood poverty levels were cut in half. The bipartisan PACT Act and Safer Communities Act, were passed. The CHIPS Act, which will strengthen American manufacturing and innovation was passed. We are already seeing the results of the Infrastructure Bill which was desperately needed here in PA. The American Rescue Plan Act passed with little Republican support. This Act's purpose was to support small business and rescue the American economy from the public health and economic crisis created by the previous administration. The Inflation Reduction Act passed with zero Republican support. It includes a 15% minimum tax on companies with over $1 billion in earnings, a 1% excise tax on stock buybacks, improvements in healthcare, and a lifeline to battle climate change. President Biden is increasing the decimated IRS employee pool so that they can reduce Big Money's tax evasion prevalent under President Trump.

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The media and Republicans label President Biden as senile and incompetent but the facts indicate he may be the most consequential President in 40 years. In contrast, President Trump's main accomplishments were a $2 trillion tax break for Big Money and a packed ultra-light Supreme Court hell-bent on reducing our rights and freedoms.

                                                                                       Patricia Daly Oliver

 

 

Unite Against the Real Enemy...

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I have protested at Donald Trump's and Doug Mastriano's rallies. It is always baffling when one of the participants looks at me and in their best authoritative angry voice shouts at me to "get a job." Now, with my gray hair, hunched shoulders, and wrinkled skin, I am obviously way past retirement age. But, those fact do not seem to matter to some Republicans. They see a Democrat and assume they are a free loader.

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The facts tell a different story. The blue states send more tax money to Washington than they receive back and the red states receive more tax money from Washington than they send. So, if anyone is a free loader it is the Republicans.

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Ron De Santis personifies this mentality. He rallied against New Jersey receiving government funds after a disaster but demands assistance when Florida has one. This attitude is a little hypocritical.

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Do not let them gaslight you. Democrats and Republicans share common needs and goals. We  should unite against the real enemy, big money and big corporations. The wealthy are focused on a single objective, making more money. To that end, they do not want to pay their fair share of taxes. Taxes that we depend on for our safety and protection, our roads, a clean environment, and schools. They do not want regulations that interfere with their money making schemes. They want to privatize everything and anything to make more money. We need to stop demonizing one another and focus on the real enemy, the one percent.

                                                    Joanne Garing

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Enforceable Banking Regulations...

Recently I received notification from a credit card company that the interest on card balance will now be $28.99%. I find that amount shocking. How can we allow banks to charge that exorbitant level of interest on loans. In the past, if you paid more than 12 to 14% interest, you were dealing with loan sharks. Banks were not allowed to charge that outrageous amount. Now the banks are charging twice the interest the loan sharks charged.

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The income the banks make from this excessive interest is on top of the 2 to 3% income they make on every single credit card transaction. We consumers see an increase in purchase price because of the fees the banks charge and then we have usury level interest on top of the banks's already sizable profit.

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At one time banks paid out 4% interest on savings account. Today your savings account earns .1%  to .2% . It feels as if we are being squeezed by banks both coming and going. It is time to demand our lawmakers place sufficient regulation in place to protect us from being gouged by big banks. Harrisburg and Washington should develop enforceable banking regulations.

                                                                  Sandy Kramer

 

 

 

 

Republicans Assault On Democracy Continues

The other day I was watching footage of 1/6. The crowd was chanting U.S.A., leading one to believe they thought of themselves as patriots. However, what these supposed patriots were doing was violently and destructively trying to bring down our democracy, our government. Because they could not admit defeat, the Republicans and Donald Trump sought to nullify our votes and proclaim themselves the victors. 147 Republicans voted to overturn President Biden's election even after the riot. 8 of 9 Pennsylvania Representatives, John Joyce, Fred Keller, Mike Kelly, Daniel Meuser, Scott Perry, Guy Reschenthaler, Loyd Smucker, and Glenn Thompson voted for one party rule, voted for autocracy, They sought to illegitimately overturn our votes.

 

Even today, 345 current Republican candidates, 37 in Pennsylvania alone, are perpetuating the Big Lie. 60% of Americans have an election denier on the ballot, The radical far-right coalition seeks to put election deniers in charge of elections. If deniers succeed in controlling future elections they will interfere with non-partisan election administration and put our free, fair and secure elections at risk. 

Vote as if our democracy is on the ballot, because it is.

                                                                             Gloria Gralewski  

 

 

Republicans Assault On Democracy

The Pennsylvania Republican lawmakers are gradually evolving into an anti-democratic Party. None of our Republican U.S. Congressman voted for the update of the Electoral Count Act, which would defend our voting rights and prevent a future January 6 style assault on our democracy. They are embracing Trump's Big Lie, passing laws to suppress the vote, and supporting takeovers of the machinery of elections. Eight out of nine Pennsylvania Republicans in the U.S. House opposed the certification of the 2020 election. They voted to nullify our votes, knowing there was no proof of fraud. But they just couldn't accept the will of the American people. One  hundred and forty-seven Republican Representatives, in total, voted to throw out our votes. This is not how a functioning representative democracy works.

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The Republicans ignored democratic norms to pack the Supreme Court with justices who are willing to ignore the people and make rulings that further erode voting rights. They manufacture phony culture war issues, like CRT and the trans. panic, to distract and divide. They will lie, cheat, steal, to win at all costs. What the voters want is inconsequential. We must stand up to this assault on our democracy. Do not take our freedoms and liberty for granted.

                                                                                                   Joanne Garing