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Letters to the Editor

As in all things, this too will pass

Obviously, we are experiencing historic times. Just as we study the rise and fall of foreign empires, as well as times in our own past, including the revolution, the Civil War, the Depression, the civil rights movement, etc., we will for many years ahead study the “Trump Era,” as an inexplicable time in which all the norms of democracy and decency experienced an unexpected and rapid decline. All thoughtful citizens lament the distressing current status and, for those of us of a certain age, we may not see its resolution. However, it’s helpful again to put this in historical ...

Health care should be affordable for all

President Donald Trump has always despised health care created by President Barack Obama, and things added by President Joe Biden, to help the American people. Trump is telling Republicans in Congress to destroy American health care. Over 500,000 Pennsylvanians get their health care from the Pennie program. Every state has similar programs. There are tens of millions of Americans in these affordable programs. Many will not be able to afford a good health care program, or not be able to have any at all. Republicans say they will discuss health care if the Democrats vote to reopen ...

Respect Life is a year round endeavor

In the U.S. Catholic Church, October is Respect Life Month. What I would hope to see promoted and organized by the U.S. bishops and each diocese from “cradle to grave” is lobbying for continuation of the Affordable Care Act to provide prenatal and postnatal care for babies, moms and all family members. Respect Life from “the cradle” means advocating for women who have an unplanned pregnancy and publicizing the Rachel Project, which gives support to women and families who have chosen an abortion and need compassionate advocacy. Promoting research and medical ...

Killing without accountability

President Donald Trump has now killed more than two dozen people on boats off the coast of Venezuela, claiming that the occupants are “narco-terrorists.” Never mind the fact that drug smuggling is not a capital offense, the Constitution states that anyone accused of a crime is entitled to due process. The president cannot just order extra-judicial executions by accusing people of a crime. While the president, as commander-in-chief, does have broad powers to authorize deadly force in war zones or when an entity poses an imminent threat, there is no way that the Caribbean ...

Is the political discord worth it in the end?

In all of my 81 years, I have never seen this country so politically divided as it has become since Donald Trump took office. Couples who have been married 25 or 30 years find themselves in divorce court because they have opposing opinions about Trump. Siblings and other family members no longer talk to one another because of their opposing opinions on Trump. Lifelong friends no longer speak because of a difference of opinion regarding Donald Trump. If Donald Trump was a person of high moral character, with integrity beyond reproach, maybe I could understand this. But he is not. He ...

Altoona water use should be verified

I am writing to express my concerns regarding the billing practices of the Altoona Water Authority, particularly the lack of a way for consumers to verify the accuracy of their charges. While our bills detail the number of gallons used, we have no accessible meter on our properties to confirm these readings. In contrast, both electric and gas utilities provide us with visible meters, allowing us to check the accuracy of what we are being charged. When purchasing gas, for instance, we can see the calibrated meters in action, ensuring transparency. However, with the water authority, we ...