Going in circles

Dear Editor,

I read the story this week about the council discussion regarding the roundabout. It is apparent to me and hopefully many others that former Mayor Maurice Cashman and Councilman Phil Gilbert either have a stake in the construction of said roundabout or are trying to save face by sticking to the previous council votes they took that put us in this position in the first place.

Also, that is why the public at large voted for the current members of council, who are attempting to address the problems created by the poor decision of voting “yes” in the first place. We don’t need it, don’t want it and it should have never been a “yes” vote from Cashman and Gilbert.

So what is it gentlemen? Please take the time and explain on the front page of this newspaper in detail why you voted yes in the first place and then maybe you can justify your voting action. I’m sure many others, besides me, would like an answer.

Dan Tassone,

Warren

Truth and fiction

Dear Editor,

Do you believe:

¯ That Donald Trump won the 2020 presidential election — the big lie?

¯ That the 2020 election was fraught with corruption — the big steal — despite A. G. Barr, courts, and state investigations all saying otherwise “that the election may have been cleanest election ever?”

¯ That the big lie and big steal comprise the cover story for tighter, more restrictive voters laws and more partisan control over vote reporting because of our nation’s changing demographics. The end justifies the means?

¯ That the National Republican Committee’s unanimous description of the Trump supporters violent storming the Capitol Jan. 6 to prevent the transfer of governmental authority was legitimate political discourse?

¯ That the NRC censuring Representatives Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger for “participating in the Congressional inquiry,” was proper despite their high 90-plus percent Conservative voter record — to hide the facts or not following party line?

¯ That Vice President Mike Pence while doing his perfunctorily duty of declaring the Presidential winner, supposedly believe Pence had the authority to throw the election to Trump and should have done so?

¯ That Trump Republicans leading the charge to ban books from library shelves are on the right path, while David Hogg, a Stoneman Douglas H. S. Survivor of our country’s worst school slaughter, on Feb. 14, 2018, reminds us that books have killed no one — guns do?

¯ That the states’ reactionary Republicans’ insistence that a watered down, white washed, narrow version of our nation’s history be taught in our public schools should be the model nation-wide. The Critical Race Theory controversy involves the teaching of the intersection of law and race, forming the basis for racial justice, thus THE BAN. Their rationale is “if the subject matter makes some people uncomfortable or threatened” it should be banned. Similar rationale is behind book banning. One could view the controversy as attempts to return to the 1950s before the civil rights movements, feminism, Pride Month, etc. – back when white men, (preferably Protestant men) were in control and many of our fellow citizens suffered in silence.

Our three Republican legislators Pat Toomey, GT Thompson, and Mike Kelley, have remained basically mute about the above – their voting records and public statements indicate to me that they do believe or are too meek and cowardly to face the wrath of those who do. Or that they are swaying with the breeze, patronizing the lowest denominators of the base to remain in office?

Such makes it hard to believe, as does Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman, that “Here, Right Matters.”

Don Scott,

North Warren

No help for health care

Dear Editor,

It has been brought to my attention that Rep. Kathy Rapp is personally opposed to allowing the patient-staff ratio bill out of the Health Committee to be discussed on the floor of the General Assembly because she have stated you haven’t heard from enough nurses. Have you heard from or listened to the seniors of this state regarding their inability to get sufficient nursing care in the hospital? I further understand that this bill has bipartisan support, something not seen very often in our state.

If you haven’t heard, then let me tell you about my mother who at 92 years old broke both of her wrists. She was admitted to a local hospital’s medical surgery floor after her surgery. My mother was very sharp and not confused at all about person, place or time. One late morning she needed to use the bathroom. She pressed the call button, a nurse came in and told her she’d be back as soon as soon as she could because she was the only nurse for seven patients there were no aides assigned there.

My mother waited as long as she could and got out of bed and started to walk to the toilet when I came and assisted her.

What if she had fallen and done more damage to herself? I find it hard to believe that Rapp and the Republican colleagues have no compassion for the elderly not to allow this bill out of committee. Do you have elderly family members?

I am now 74 years young and find the contempt you show us disgraceful and inhumane.

Remember just because I don’t live in your district doesn’t mean you don’t have to answer to me as the paycheck you receive comes from Pennsylvanians all over the state and not just from your district.

Caryn A. Leifer,

Horsham