Money talks in votes

Dear Editor,

Jeffrey Yass, Pennsylvania’s richest man, a wealthy billionaire powerbroker, is using his fortune to subvert our democracy. Yass is deeply involved in this year’s judicial retention races. This is only his latest intervention in our political system.

He has for years donated huge sums to influence election outcomes to buy more favorable outcomes for his causes. You may have seen some of the direct mail political ads from Commonwealth Partners, a Political Action Committee he funds. He apparently is opposed to retaining three highly regarded independent minded justices since they haven’t yielded to his wishes.

Yass is accustomed to secretly influencing our political system with his dark money contributions, for which he of course expects to be rewarded — at our expense I might add.   The “Pledge for a Healthy Democracy” asks its signatories to commit to reject money from billionaire Jeffrey Yass and his affiliated political action committees and to resist his “privatizing and profiteering agenda” 

The #AllEyesOnYass campaign is a movement of Pennsylvanians committed to ensuring that everyone has an equal voice in what happens in our communities and that our elected officials do what’s best for the people, not what’s best for billionaires. Check it out to see how you can help end corruption in PA.

Vote “yes”to retain our judges. They have exhibited courage and integrity in standing up to the corrupting influence of billionaire Jeffrey Yass and his billionaire buddies.

Neil Himber,

Youngsville

Neigh to ‘Horsemen’

Dear Editor,

“The Four Horsemen of the Western Apocalypse” was the title of a recent column by military historian Victor Davis Hanson, Ph.D.,and professor emeritus at California State University at Fresno.

Hanson is one of the wisest, most incisive columnists of the day. Apocalypse is a widespread disaster.

The “Horsemen” are: a sacrifice of reliable energy sources without reliable replacements; open borders, allowing floods of unvetted immigrants; declining birth rates among European and American citizens; and misuse of DEI — diversity,equity and inclusion.

A case can be made that recent acts of violence were more likely due to “Horsemen were the open borders and DEI. Another factor is likely left-wing rhetoric by certain officials and celebrities.

After President Donald Trump won his first term, Madonna declared she felt like “blowing up the White House.” Feckless U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer hollered threats against Supreme Court Justices Brett Kavanaugh and Neil Gosuch saying, “You won’t know what hit you!” A few days later, left wingers were making threats against the justices in front of the justice’s homes. Joe Biden threatened to put a “bullseye” on Trump and expressed a desire to take Trump “behind the gym” and beat him up. (Joe, Trump would win).

Kamala Harris encouraged the 2020 rioters: “They won’t stop! Neither should we!”

Congresswoman Maxine Waters encouraged her constituents to hassle ‘MAGA’ citizens in public.

Such rants could encourage the radicalized or psychologically unbalanced to commit atrocities.

On to the ‘Horsemen’. Concerning open borders, then President Biden allowed an estimated 10 million to 12 million to illegally cross our border;some were dangerous criminals.

Biden permitted the violation of our border laws. When migrants witness the president ignoring our laws, why would they respect them? And some cities were providing them hotel lodging,debit cards, meals and protection from ICE.

Then there’s DEI. In some cases, people are seen as members of a demographic group, rather than individuals. Some of these groups are viewed as “victims” and some as “oppressors.”

Promotions and scholarships may be awarded on “checking the right box,” rather than merit. In Chicago and Los Angeles, mayors vilify ICE to protect their beloved illegal migrants,who may be considered “victims” if arrested. This is offensive to migrants who entered legally!

It’s obvious lately that some perpetrators become virtual “folk heroes,” such as Abrego Garcia and Luigi Mangione. DeCarlos Brown viciously murdered a young woman on a Charlotte, N.C., light rail. Yet some wanted to start a “Go Fund Me” page for his legal expenses. “Go Fund Me” correctly declined. Pseudo-intellectuals lionize Hamas and illogically condemn Trump for putting America first.

Consequences for violent crimes must be certain! The psychologically unbalanced,if dangerous, must be institutionalized in a humane fashion. Deport the “Horsemen.”

Terry D. Hallock,

Warren

Fall happenings

Dear Editor,

Along with nature’s beauty and standard time, the season includes cider pressing and important local elections.

Remembering going to the cider press with my father and several bushels of fruit, apples and pears, I watched the process of dumping the fruit between large steel plates and juice flowing out as the press squeezed downward.

As I lay sleeping recently, I dreamed of our present way of life being similarly pressed by our leaders with executive orders, many lawless notions and retributions.

Democracy will be the pulp left by the press while the “cider” will be for the most wealthy to enjoy.

If the pressure is not stymied soon, only two actions on our part will alleviate and prevent further damage. First, the coming election if only proponents of democracy at all levels are elected to office and dedicated to serve as promised. Regardless of the results of the election, the second action necessary is that the God of the universe be honored and helped to restore His rich soil and flourishing orchards for the future remnants of our squeezed society.

As they say, the ball is in our court!

Charles S. Merroth,

Warren