Everyone should read Declaration

August 16, 2026

I felt compelled to respond to the Letter to the Editor published on Tuesday, July 21, titled “Are lawmakers really ignoring constituents?” I am proud of the fact that I devoted more than 20 years of my adult life defending and protecting everybody’s rights to do and to be whatever they wish, no matter how right, wrong or impassioned I might feel about their particular beliefs and causes. However, I think it is an embarrassment to publicly misquote the Declaration of Independence while also supporting ridiculous, insane movements such as “No Kings” protests. I suggest ...

Thankful for Fauci

August 13, 2026

I don’t care if Dr. Anthony Fauci had a monetary investment in the Wuhan Institute. Here is what I do care about. Between my family members, friends and neighbors, I knew 13 people who perished from COVID-19. I am certain that not one of them was vaccinated — not one. And, totaling all my other acquaintances who were vaccinated, not one died because of the disease — not one. You may personally know someone who did succumb to that horrific disease, and they may have been vaccinated. I can only state what I know for sure concerning those people that I was acquainted with. Dr. Fauci ...

Noise standards should be policed

August 12, 2026

For several years now, I have lived in an apartment facing the very busy Route 220 in Altoona. My residence is bracketed by stop lights located on the highway which, of course, result in red lights that slow the high speed traffic to a stop. Therein lies the issue. The noise created by loud after-market mufflers from some of the automobiles and large cruiser motorcycles is deafening. Then there are wolf packs of crotch rockets devouring silence as they race to the next red light. Adding to this mix is the noise created by truckers engaging their jake brakes on their diesel engines. It ...

Public service requires accountability

August 11, 2026

Our representative seems to have no shortage of time for ribbon cuttings, ceremonial events, and photo opportunities. Those public appearances make for nice pictures, but they are no substitute for an open town hall where constituents can ask unscripted questions and receive honest answers. A town hall is one of the most basic responsibilities of an elected official. It gives people of all political views an opportunity to raise concerns, seek clarification on important issues, and hold their representative accountable. Carefully staged events with invited guests simply don’t provide ...

American giving must be carefully evaluated

August 10, 2026

Americans are among the most generous people in the world. Through our tax dollars, we provide billions of dollars in foreign aid each year to developing nations. That generosity, however, should not become a system of double-dipping and sudden riches. When the United States sends substantial financial assistance overseas and then also accepts large numbers of people fleeing those same countries — often requiring additional public resources for housing, education, health care and other services — we are effectively paying twice. If this approach continues indefinitely, America ...

The Constitution belongs to all of us

August 9, 2026

Most Americans don’t wake up thinking about constitutional law or the separation of powers. They worry about paying the mortgage, buying groceries, affording health care and putting gas in the car. They voted hoping life would become more affordable and secure. Instead, many are facing rising costs, growing uncertainty and a government increasingly focused on consolidating power rather than solving everyday problems. Throughout history, democracy has rarely disappeared overnight. It erodes when leaders weaken independent institutions, demand personal loyalty over constitutional duty, ...