Opinion category, Page 501
Jonah Goldberg: Parties, politicians don’t really represent ‘the American people’
What if elected politicians actually did what the American people want them to do? Now, you might respond: “Isn’t that what they already do?” or “Isn’t that how it’s supposed to work in a democracy?” The answer to both of these questions is: “No.” Let me explain. “The American people”...
Letter to the editor: Babies have right to being born
As we recently rejoiced with our country in celebrating Juneteenth and the end of enslaving human beings against their will, I have a question: What about our unwanted “enslaved” unborn babies whose mothers do not choose to give them the freedom to be born alive? What about the most vulnerable...
Letter to the editor: Not all Democrats want socialism
My dictionary defines socialism as “an economic system in which the government owns and controls the means of production and operates it for the good of the people.” As a lifelong Democrat, I do not agree with socialism. And I don’t know any Democrat who does. We Democrats vigorously support...
Letter to the editor: Republicans’ history will repeat itself
I was taught during my history classes in high school and political science classes in college that history repeats itself. During President Barack Obama’s administration, he negotiated with Republicans concerning two key issues: the Affordable Care Act and an economic stimulus program. He tried to achieve bipartisan support, considering that...
Letter to the editor: Why does Fetterman feel he is above law?
According to the article “Wolf, Pa. Democrats again push for passage of LGBTQ discrimination protections,” “The GOP-controlled Legislature banned all but the U.S., Pennsylvania and POW MIA flags from being flown on Capitol grounds. … (Lt. Gov. John) Fetterman, however, has continued to fly Pride flags, including one removed by...
Editorial: Another sweet, but legal, perk for state legislators
A per diem is an amount of money that an employer will give someone to cover expenses for a business-related trip. Unless you have a very specific job where travel is required, it’s not usually the kind of thing that becomes a big part of your paycheck. But then there...
Letter to the editor: Recent lessons learned
Here are some lessons I’ve learned in today’s troubled world: Jobs and free market opportunities, not big government programs and subsidies, are the answers to poverty. CNN and MSNBC provide mostly partial, biased, misleading news. Excessive government spending and the resulting higher taxes often lead to higher prices, uncontrolled inflation,...
Letter to the editor: Ready-to-drink cocktails good for Pa.
Expanding the sale of ready-to-drink (RTD) cocktails to additional retail outlets that already sell beverage alcohol is a commonsense way to increase consumer convenience and generate millions of dollars for the commonwealth (“Pa. Senate passes bill to legalize cocktails-to-go, sends to House with modifications”). In fact, allowing spirits-based RTDs to...
Joseph Sabino Mistick: Balancing tough policing and reform
It’s been decades since an off-duty Pittsburgh beat cop shared a few beers and some stories at the neighborhood bar on the eve of his retirement. When a kid asked if he ever shot anyone during his 30 years walking a beat, the cop said, “I only drew my weapon...
Sen. Lindsey Williams and Josh McNeil: Harrisburg and Washington must step up to save Pittsburgh transit options
One thing that the covid-19 pandemic has taught us is the importance of public transit. The Port Authority of Allegheny County has kept our city and region running. While businesses were shuttered to curb the spread of the virus, brave bus drivers and light rail engineers, conductors, mechanics and operators...
Sounding off: Responsible gun owners don’t ‘forget’
For the 12th time this year, a loaded handgun was confiscated by TSA at Pittsburgh International Airport from a passenger’s carry-on bag (“Man faces charges after being stopped for gun at Pittsburgh International Airport,” June 7, TribLIVE). He used the same excuse as the others: “I forgot it was there.”...
Letter to the editor: Biden must put America first
Dear Mr. President, There are several concerning issues right now. On your first day of office, you canceled the Keystone XL pipeline. Recently you approved of the Russian pipeline Nord Stream 2, and this monthyou suspended the oil and gas leases in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Gas prices are...
Letter to the editor: Media’s manipulation
Just how dishonest and manipulative has the mainstream media become? Incredibly so, as evidenced by the recent journalistic indiscretions related to Communist China’s Wuhan Institute of Virology. When it was first proposed by Donald Trump, some in his administration and Republican Sen. Tom Cotton that the covid-19 virus had originated...
Editorial: Trust (but verify) local police with speed radar
You’re cruising down the interstate. Maybe you’re going a little bit faster than you should be. Maybe not. But if you catch a glimpse of a state trooper’s cruiser, you probably ease up on the gas, just in case. It might be that you know the Pennsylvania state police use...
Letter to the editor: Learning from Tulsa massacre, Capitol riots
In the news recently was the 100th anniversary of the Tulsa Massacre. I had never heard of it until now. I am concerned with what happened afterward, which was nothing. Hundreds of lives lost, hundreds of homes and businesses lost, and nothing was done. No one was ever imprisoned or...
John Stossel: Capitalism makes us better off
Last week, I debunked three myths about capitalism. Here are four more: Myth No. 4: Capitalism creates unsafe workspaces. “Greedy capitalists” will risk workers’ lives to increase production if government, through agencies such as the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), doesn’t stop that. It’s logical to assume that government...
S.E. Cupp: Why it matters that the first active NFL player just came out as gay
My best friend James reminds me every year of the day he came out to me. It was in November 2006. It wasn’t a shock to me — we’d known each other for nearly 10 years by that point, through college and our early 20s, when all the good stuff...
Benjamin V. Allison: How the 2-party system could self-destruct and save American democracy
Legally, Donald Trump can run for reelection in 2024. That’s bad. But it could break up the two-party system. That’s good. Since the election, talk of a Republican split has waxed and waned, with rumors that Trump or moderate Republicans might break from the GOP to create a new party....
Letter to the editor: Why spend $30 million for turnpike widening?
The Harvison Road bridge in Penn Township will be demolished to accommodate a $30 million project to widen the Pennsylvania Turnpike between Irwin and Monroeville from four to six lanes. According to the article “Penn Township negotiating with turnpike commission in advance of bridge removal” (June 14, TribLIVE), it is...
Letter to the editor: Freedoms, masks and election laws
In her letter “GOP’s election plans will take away voters’ rights” (May 30, TribLIVE), Frances Weiss misquoted me when she stated: “George Silowash said he believed state mask mandates have taken our rights away.” My words in my letter “How about we all make our own mask decisions?” (May 23,...
Lori Falce: Why Carl Nassib coming out matters
When I was 20, I stood on the steps of Schwab Auditorium at Penn State as my dearest friend had a kind of confirmation. It was Coming Out Day, and people from across campus were declaring who they were inside. Gay, lesbian, bisexual — they stood up, spoke the truth...
Letter to the editor: Dairy farmers protect health of their cows
As a member of a fourth-generation dairy farm, I was frustrated to read allegations from a vegan organization in the letter “Plant-based dairy a viable option” (June 13, TribLIVE). Here’s the real story of what happens on a dairy farm, where my most important priority is the health and well-being...
Laurels & lances: Attitude, delay and entertainment
Laurel: To a positive outlook. When Sara Belt of Unity was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease at 53, it could have been a crushing blow for her and her family. Instead, she chose to be appreciative of the answers the diagnosis gave for her symptoms. Three years later — when estimates...
Nathan Pikarsic: Competing in global auto race requires US industry to retool
This month, Jeep opened the first new auto factory in Detroit in three decades. Auto workers and suppliers have responded by celebrating. With reason — it’s the Motor City’s first new auto factory in 30 years and is expected to employ almost 5,000. Jeep deserves credit for investing in the...
Jonah Goldberg: Battle over critical race theory won’t benefit GOP in the long run
It feels like yesterday that my wife and I were shopping for grade schools for our daughter — the same daughter who just graduated from high school. We visited a bunch of private schools where the children of Washington’s elite get turned into the feedstock of the meritocracy. The most...
