The answer to letter-writer Lisa Messineo’s “whys” (“Disjointed efforts to fight covid-19,” May 14, TribLIVE) is simple: The American people have been lazy. We have let politicians have free rein.

When is the last time you voted? When is the last time you attended a commissioners, supervisors or school board meeting to say that we don’t like what they are doing? When is the last time you researched politicians’ viewpoints before voting?

Did you express your disapproval of Pennsylvania’s raises for Congress in January 2020? How about Westmoreland County raising property taxes and also giving out raises to county workers? Or question how our county spent millions in surplus funds to become nearly broke? Or enormous teachers’ salaries or enormous state pensions and great medical benefits?

Did you (we) oppose the trade deals negotiated before the Trump election? We took the cheap goods from Asia, and now we are reaping what we sowed. How many Americans think socialism and guaranteed income for everyone is great? Did we raise our voice and say no? Remember, there is no such thing as a free lunch.

As long as Americans are complacent, politicians will do for themselves. Do you really think Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer care about us? How about Dr. Oxiris Barbot, New York City’s health commissioner, stating “I don’t give two rats’ (expletive) about your cops”? How about FBI honesty?

Politicians have not given up one paycheck. They are not now and never will be part of the we in this. We, the lazy Americans, have let this happen.

Marion Sedlacko

Hempfield

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