Orwell’s work deserves ‘serious study’

July 14, 2022

George Orwell’s “1984,” published in 1949, describes a dystopian future society ruled by a totalitarian regime. Orwell postulated what London could look like in the distant future, given the then rapid rate of technological change — if it fell under the control of a totalitarian regime. The book remains one of the great works of fiction, but based on current events, also now deserves serious study. Comparing the institutions he imagined with ours today is eye-opening. His Oceania, including the city of London, is one of three large nations left and are at constant war ...

Issues beyond Second Amendment

June 7, 2022

The national security importance of the Second Amendment informs the current debate. The republic’s founders saw two existential risks: an armed foreign invasion and the armed installation of a monarch from within. While the external threats were obvious, the internal threats were less so. (George Washington actually declined several attempts to install him as monarch.) Ratified in 1791, the Second Amendment states “A well-regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.” The ...

Here’s why gas prices will stay up

June 2, 2022

By Wayne Winegarden We’re all looking for relief from record high gas prices these days. Gas prices are the highest in United States history at a nationwide average of $4.59 as of May 19, according to AAA. Many states surpass this average with California at $6.050, Nevada at $5.224, Washington at $5.148, and New York at $4.868, to name a few. But lawsuits filed by several cities across the country could actually drive gas prices even higher. In the name of climate change, over a dozen federal lawsuits have been filed by state and local governments, including New York City, ...

Stay calm during formula shortage

May 26, 2022

Parents and families of infants who rely on baby formula for their nutritional needs are scrambling due to the nationwide shortage. Ongoing supply chain issues from the pandemic, coupled with a recall on formula by Abbott Nutrition and the shuttering of their manufacturing plant in Michigan, have significantly impacted the scarcity. By talking to their pediatrician, parents can work to find solutions while production of formula increases in the coming weeks. Abbott reached an agreement with the FDA to reopen its plant and will start production in the next two weeks. The ...

States should decide Roe v. Wade

May 20, 2022

Recent conversation regarding Roe v. Wade would be enlightened by placing it in an historical perspective. The founders established a small federal government subject to the will of the people. The constitution enumerated the specific powers of the federal government and specifically delegated everything else to the individual states to be dealt with as their constituents expressly desired. Lacking immortality, the founders put into place a process for adding powers to the federal government through congressional legislation. In that way, the founders died believing that ...

Toll scofflaws within projections

May 4, 2022

For decades, the Pennsylvania Turnpike has been a cornerstone of our economy that now provides safe travel to 500,000 customers daily. Over time, our roadway evolved to reflect customers’ needs and those of our commonwealth. When consumers were turning to electronic payments, we implemented All-Electronic Tolling. Even before that, travelers expressed a preference for automated payment by getting E-ZPass. Today, more than 85% of our customers use E-ZPass. The decision to convert to AET was a measured one that began in 2010. Ten years later, this preparation allowed us to ...