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Opinion

Significance of Labor Day remembered

Editorials

As this year’s Labor Day observance approaches, America’s workers, traditionally part of the “cement” that holds this country together, are concerned increasingly about what effects robots and Artificial Intelligence will have on their work lives – and lives in general – going forward. And, that worry is destined to continue, although “people in the know” remain certain that humans’ important places in businesses and industries will continue – albeit, in many cases, in different capacities. For now, though, Jorgen Pedersen, CEO of the Advanced Robotics for ...

Not all power belongs to president

Letters to the Editor

Article I, Section 4, Clause 1 of the Constitution states: The Times, Places and Manner of holding Elections for Senators and Representatives, shall be prescribed in each State by the Legislature thereof; but the Congress may at any time by Law make or alter such Regulations, except as to the Places of choosing Senators. State authority to regulate the times, places, and manner of holding congressional elections has been described by the Supreme Court as the ability “to enact the numerous requirements as to procedure and safeguards which experience shows are necessary in order to ...

Democracy at stake in latest ballot issue

Letters to the Editor

President Donald Trump put one more nail in the coffin of Democracy when he issued his move to do away with mail-in and machine voting. The move once again supports the belief that Trump wants to be a dictator. Every policy and executive order he issues advances his role as a dictator. This move to end mail-in voting is unconstitutional and is just another one of Trump’s beliefs that he has the right to control everything in this country. According to the Constitution, election decisions are left to the states, not the federal government and certainly not to a dictatorial-seeking ...

Amtran plan shows ongoing commitment

Editorials

Units of local-level government and municipal-related entities know that, when seeking federal or state grants or loans, having a proposed project “shovel-ready” is advantageous when competing against others for the money. Amtran, Altoona’s bus service, obviously is aware of that, judging from the way it is pursuing its proposed $5.7 million project, the centerpiece of which is a new bus storage garage. Rather than waiting for the state or federal government “bearing a financial gift,” it is being proactive in trying to put the project in the right position for obtaining ...

Closing local IRS office is a disservice

Letters to the Editor

Altoona is facing the loss of a valued government service with the closure of the IRS office downtown. This office serves thousands of taxpayers annually, mainly small business owners, the elderly and low-income families. The IRS plans to close the office in November with no rationale. Closing this office is a disservice to taxpayers, a loss to our economy and a disruption to the public servants who work there. For years, the Altoona Taxpayer Assistance Center has helped our neighbors solve complex tax issues. Here, you can meet in person to get your problem solved. Now, the ...

Less mobility directly impacts US economy

Editorials

Politicians are abundant in putting their self-serving “spin” on issues, circumstances and new developments good and bad, and they’re not shy about voicing rosy predictions and making promises for if they are successful at the ballot box. People who follow politics closely recognize that, but so do many people who have what they consider to be “better things to do” than monitoring closely the issues on the political and governmental landscapes. But although statistics can be “shaped” to benefit one’s own viewpoints and advantage, it is “stats” as a whole, without ...