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Deporting cheaper than Alligator Alcatraz

Letters to the Editor

Correct me if I’m wrong, but didn’t President Donald Trump run on deporting all illegal migrants “by the thousands?” If that was his agenda, why are we setting up places like Alligator Alcatraz? With the money used to open, and keep the migrants here, he could have deported them. That whole thing is a slap in the face of those who migrated here legally. Why spend all that money, time, and energy to keep them here? I truly believe our government, both sides of the aisle included, doesn’t have enough brain power to tie their own shoes, starting with the White House down ...

Tariff consequences and solutions

Opinion

At World War II’s end, the USA initiated policies to rehabilitate the devastated economies of Europe and Japan by reducing or eliminating tariffs on imports from those countries. Over the ensuing 80 years, the economies of those countries rehabilitated themselves. During that same period, those countries also instituted policies to discourage exports from the USA. Consequently today, the US faces trade barriers when we export, but allows almost unfettered access to the US consumer via imports. Taken together, these policies create an annual trade deficit in excess of $1.2 ...

Community support makes Altoona special

Letters to the Editor

On behalf of the Blair Regional YMCA Race Team, we want to express our gratitude for the incredible community support of the 52nd running of the Angie Gioiosa Memorial 4th of July Race. Your enthusiasm, encouragement and kindness created a truly special atmosphere for the runners, walkers, volunteers and spectators. From cheering on participants to offering helping hands, hoses and smiles, your support played a vital role in the success of the event. We are especially grateful to local residents, businesses, public safety officials, sponsors and volunteers who went above and beyond ...

Make visas and immigration easier

Letters to the Editor

Why are we wasting hundreds of millions of dollars building concentration camps? Why are we not helping undocumented workers get visas to continue working? Why are we not working to make immigration easier? When my grandparents came here from Italy around 1910, all they had to do was come. Restrictive immigration laws were passed in the 1920s due to nativism, economic concerns and fears of radicalism following WWI. These laws aimed to limit immigration and favor those from northern and western Europe. A anti-immigrant sentiment, known as nativism, prevalent in the 1920s, was fueled ...

State needs to address child care crisis

Other Commentaries

By Anne K. Ard and Heather Smoyer Pennsylvania’s children and families are facing a crisis. Parents are unable to find reliable and high-quality child care due to a critical shortage of child care workers, Early Intervention providers and pre-K educators. Most Pennsylvanians believe that the well-being of all children is important to the health of communities. Parents know that laying a strong foundation for children while they are infants and toddlers is critical to their long-term health and thriving. Early intervention for children and families provides critical support and ...

Broad Avenue building's woes could be worse

Editorials

If there is one positive thing that can be said about the now-condemned apartment building on the 200 block of Broad Avenue, across from the front of the Jaffa Shrine Center in Altoona, it’s that it gave a warning before reaching a moment of disastrous collapse. Having extended that consideration to the neighborhood and the city as a whole, the building allowed all residents of the seven occupied apartments to leave safely — and take most, if not all, of their possessions with them. Had the situation played out in a more negative way, only one’s imagination can project what the ...