Sounding off: Maybe Dr. Oz will be good for Pa.

With Dr. Mehmet Oz throwing his hat in the Senate race, I ask myself, why not? In recent elections, we have had a diversity of candidates. Hey, we have a caterer as a coroner in Westmoreland County. Caitlyn Jenner is running for governor of California, a position formerly held by Mr. Muscle, Arnold Schwarzenegger. Kanye West was a presidential wannabe, as was a contestant from “Shark Tank.”

So he’s not a Pennsylvania resident; the wealthy celebrities hide their money in foreign banks all the time and some people condone that.

I’m not saying whether I support Dr. Oz or not, but in a nation of unity and diversity, let’s not be critics until we examine his stand. Who knows, by breaking the good ol’ boys’ political regime, we may find the middle class finally represented.

Cheryl Koloshinsky, Latrobe

Our problems are government-inflicted

OK, can we be any more ridiculous? Non-American citizens should never be allowed to vote for anything, period.

Also, if the government is going to allow businesses to continuously be robbed without any bail or penalties, then all businesses big and small should be equipped with a bar system keeping the thieves out; and if they do happen to get in, they should lock them in until police arrive. This should be at the government’s expense, because if the police are going to be “defunded,” it is their fault.

District attorneys and judges need to do their jobs locking criminals up, but I guess we can’t expect them to do their job when our so-called government won’t do theirs, i.e., letting illegals into our country with an overwhelming amount of drugs, and then whine about the drug problem we’re facing.

Most of the problems Americans are facing were inflicted by our government with one blunder after another. I hope every legal American has a merry Christmas, as hard as it may be with inflation, our people left behind in Afghanistan, covid rules, and being at odds with China and Russia. God bless.

Dwayne Buffer, Youngwood

Republicans are not planning for our well-being

Can you imagine that one of our two major political parties has no platform, no legislative agenda, no guiding principles beyond “Democrats are bad,” to improve the lives of Americans ahead of next year’s election?

The Republicans have no proposed legislation to help us survive human-caused climate change. No sense of urgency about combatting the many forms of covid that have already killed more than 800,000 Americans, mostly the unvaccinated. No plans to more strictly regulate the epidemic of gun violence sweeping the country on a daily basis. No leadership in quickly transitioning to renewable energy.

Instead, the Republicans are aggressively redrawing political districts in ways that make no ethical sense, but improve their chances to remain in power, even as a shrinking minority of Americans support them.

The U.S. now ranks the worst we have ranked among nations since World War II in political freedom, obesity, gun violence, public education, upward mobility, infrastructure, health care and, sadly, much more.

The Republican Party has no plan.

Meanwhile, Americans are enjoying a remarkably rapid economic recovery, record-low unemployment and rising household wealth. We can thank President Biden’s economic plan for that!

Patty Satalia, State College

Biden’s climate order is not enough

Regarding the Associated Press story “Biden order would make U.S. government carbon neutral by 2050”: After the less-than-adequate pledges coming out of COP26 in Glasgow in November, the executive order seems like good news.

Here’s the problem. Presidential executive orders can be easily reversed by the next administration; and with inflation, Ukraine and drastic upticks in covid infections consuming the headlines these days, a new administration seems likely in 2024. And so it’s probable that the executive order will quickly disappear.

In early November, Bloomberg Green reported that “the White House and at least 49 senators support a proposal to impose an almost $20 per-ton fee on carbon.” And that mechanism must be included in the Build Back Better legislation now being debated in the Senate. Implemented legislation is not so easily undone.

Forty-nine votes is one shy of what is needed to pass a “carbon fee.” I’m sure you can guess who holds the 50th vote.

Regulations and trees and carbon capture and wishful thinking are not enough to solve the climate emergency. And while Joe Manchin might not be your senator, I urge you to contact his office (202-224-3954) to let him know that you support “putting a price on carbon” as the most important step we can take to keep the planet livable for our children and grandchildren.

Bruce Cooper, Cranberry Township

Rep. Leslie Rossi is not demonstrating leadership

Rep. Leslie Rossi, please demonstrate some leadership (“Westmoreland Co. lawmaker offers to help with vaccine exemptions as covid-19 infections surge.” )

Covid-19 cases and deaths are rising. Consider these headlines:

• “Excela reopens Unity testing center in response to rising covid-19 numbers.” The article reports that on Dec. 10, a record number, 747 cases, were reported in Westmoreland County.

• “Covid cases create ‘desperate’ situation at Westmoreland hospitals.”

• “Deaths in the United States surpass 800,000” (Dec. 15, The New York Times).

Broadway is canceling performances; the NFL and NHL are canceling games. Delta still ravages, Omicron can reinfect those who have already had covid, and those who are unvaccinated serve as incubators for the next variant.

Meanwhile, your own newsletter actively encourages constituents to avoid vaccination. This, despite reporting in The New York Times that the greatest number of covid deaths are occurring in heavy Trump-supporting counties. In other words, among those who voted for you!

I challenge you to educate with a new headline: “Severe illness and death are avoidable through vaccination.” Inform your constituents with science, because those who voted for you are among the most likely to suffer and die.

Are you a leader, Rep. Rossi?

Helen Sitler, Ligonier

A Christian advocating for violence?

In response to the Rev. Tony Joseph’s letter “Is anyone listening to God?”: Aside from being factually inaccurate — viruses are in fact not living things, for example, despite his assertation to the contrary — it espouses bombast and great anger as he writes, “we must become Christian soldiers and fight back.” Strange words for someone who claims to be a devout member of a faith that champions forgiveness, love and compassion.

I would caution the good reverend to reexamine his faith and take stock of the principles by which he claims to live. Anyone who honestly calls themselves a Christian should never be an advocate for violence.

Brian Luce, Buffalo Township

Pa.’s job creation efforts need an update

Sen. Kim Ward’s recent e-newsletter contains material on “Measures to Increase Jobs.” I sent the below in response.

The state has been doing these job creation things for years. It’s not working — well, maybe it helps some, but in competition with states leading in job creation, Pennsylvania is losing. You’re looking at the wrong issues — the wrong opportunities.

When I founded my company, although Pennsylvania is my home state, I made the decision to not create my business in Pennsylvania. Like many Pennsylvania manufacturers, I went to South Carolina.

I suggest you need to benchmark Pennsylvania regulations against states with leading job growth. Right to work, business taxes, unemployment and worker’s comp systems, inheritance taxes, etc. all matter. In general, Pennsylvania is not among the 10 best states, nor among the worst 10, but being in the middle of the pack means business and job opportunities are elsewhere. The reason is that, with higher costs, one can’t compete successfully against firms in states with lower costs, unless there is some other factor at work such as proximity to resources and market, thus lower transportation costs that more than offset higher government regulated costs.

Your programs/subsidies, such as those here, benefit a few — so only a few benefit — and such businesses tend to fail when the benefit ends, or the benefit is extended to some new taker.

Pennsylvania government thinking and regulations and programs are 50 years out of date. It’s time to see the world as it is and quit thinking specific little steps will have other than specific little benefits.

Jim Baker, Hempfield