What causes poverty? Wrong question, since poverty is the natural state of humans. It’s been that way for 100,000 years.

The correct question is “What causes wealth?” Quick answer — free-market capitalism.

Since the late 18th century, a middle class has been forming, thanks to small-business owners depending on their own ingenuity, and that of other humans. Their offspring, the large corporations, have doubled down on providing “stuff’” for us. Liberals don’t seem to like that.

We hear presidential candidates who think wealth occurs naturally — at least for those “rich” humans. “The rich should share their wealth” — more than they do already? It is those same candidates who will determine just how much “rich” is. No thanks.

We consumers determine who the rich shall be by voting with our dollars. The rich ones don’t force you to buy their goods or services. You have a good product or service — here’s my “Don dollars.” You have a bad product, I keep my dollars.

Would you rather vote your dollars to our government, to Apple for the latest iPhone or to your favorite NFL team? Which is the better bargain for you? The more you vote your dollars to each one, the wealthier they become. Choose wisely.

Freedom and prosperity are not natural. It’s taken the work of millions of ingenious humans to get us to safety and prosperity. Liberals are poised to change that, and take us back to 1750, or earlier. That’s prior to our Constitution, for anyone not up on your history.

Don Carrera, Penn Township, Westmoreland County

Atheism and politics

In response to letter-writer Dr. Joel Last (“Socialism & religious values”): As an atheist in Westmoreland County, I can guarantee you that my political leanings have zero to do with my lack of belief. We live in the information age, and the more you know, the less religious you become.

Capitalism is about freedom, and the last time I checked, forcing your personal beliefs on others, such as requiring the Ten Commandments in schools, is anti-capitalism and leaning toward fascism. Your personal beliefs belong to you and it is not up to you to tell others how to believe or what to worship.

We live in America; it is a melting pot of different beliefs and ideals, and it is what makes this country great. Whether you believe or not, you are still an American and are allowed to express those privately, but when the government steps in and forces it, that becomes fascism.

You say you want the Ten Commandments in schools, but how would you feel about the seven tenets of The Satanic Temple being in there? If you wouldn’t like it, apply that feeling to non-Christians about your demand.

Courtney Hodge, Hunker

End automotive emissions testing

I salute Sen. Kim Ward’s efforts to change emissions testing in Pennsylvania. Emissions testing is archaic and was not fair from the start.

As a resident of Westmoreland County, I am required to have my car tested. But if I lived in Forest County, I would not be held to this standard. Does my car make cleaner emissions in Forest County? Vehicles are built to such standards today that virtually every one passes the test. And every car owner pays for this unneeded process. It’s like a tax on people who live near big cities.

This inspection has become a money grab for the state and the repair shops. Let fairness and common sense prevail and support Senate Bills 742 and 743.

Bob Soltis, Hempfield

GOP holding up bills that will help Americans

I am ashamed of Pennsylvanians. I am embarrassed at their ignorance.

There are so many levels to this stupidity. For example: There are a number of bills passed by the House and sitting in the Senate where Majority Leader Mitch McConnell refuses to bring them up for a vote. These bills will help the average person. They will ease the burden. They will solve financial problems. But the GOP is holding them back so they can say the Dems are do-nothings. Obviously, Pennsylvanians agree.

What are these bills? One lowers prescription drug prices; another protects Americans with pre-existing conditions. There are bills on background checks for guns, veterans’ access to child care, flood insurance, violence against women, saving the internet and pandemic preparedness, and a “For the People” bill that deals with so many of the issues that plague us: voting rights, gerrymandering, donor money influence and more. In March, the House passed a concurrent resolution requesting that the Mueller report be made available to the public and to Congress, but the Senate never acted.

Isn’t the GOP attacking the Dems about the opposite? They are doing the GOP’s business. In the people’s business, these bills are brought up, discussed, amended, etc. until a good bipartisan decision is reached. That is good for the people and the country.

Cassandra Vivian, Mt. Pleasant

Pro-life candidates succeed

After the election I was scared to find out how the candidates we identified on the LifePAC flyer as pro-life had done. I knew that only one of two Superior Court candidates won and that Allegheny County did poorly, and even my township conservatives did poorly. But my initial fears were unfounded for the counties we cover in Southwest Pennsylvania.

Megan McCarthy-King came in first and Christylee Peck second in 11 out of the 12 counties we cover. Allegheny County was the only one where the pro-life Superior Court candidates lost. When it came to Common Pleas Court, four of the six candidates we listed as pro-life won.

The most amazing results were the county commissioner races. Twenty of the 23 candidates we listed won. Two that lost were in the only two counties (Armstrong and Washington) where we listed all four candidates, and only three could win. The only loss we listed was in Beaver County, and we heard unofficially that the candidates who won there were pro-life but they chose not to respond to our questionnaire.

It would appear that at least in Southwest Pennsylvania, learning that a candidate is pro-life is a positive thing. There are lots of things to consider when choosing whom to vote for as a judge or any public servant. For me, I learn a lot about the character of a candidate if they are concerned about the life of the most vulnerable members of our society, the unborn.

Jim Ludwig, Ross

Trust NASA on global warming

If you’re still not sure who to believe about global warming, NASA has a website devoted to the subject. You can access the site by Googling “NASA global warming.”

There are good reasons why one might trust NASA’s information. They literally are “rocket scientists,” and please recall that 50 years ago they put men on the moon … and returned them safely to Earth. Their scientific excellence is undeniable.

Maybe equally important is that, unlike politicians and industry leaders, NASA does not have a financial stake in the matter.

Scott Bradley, Hempfield

Pirates fans beware

With 2020 approaching, so is another season at PNC Park. The new schedule is out, along with new ticket plans and promotional schedules. Pirates fans beware: Don’t get caught in the bobblehead and “Free Shirt Friday” traps that “Trapper Bob” Nutting lures his prey into. He can set traps that would make the great frontiersman Daniel Boone prouder than a trophy buck.

“Bottom Line Bob” has been the principal owner since 2007. After recently naming his new president, he finally said that he was “committed” to building a team we can be proud of. Did he just admit to being a “fake” for the last 12 years? That doesn’t sound like a leader.

After all the recent firings, “General Bob” has begun to hire new soldiers. Let’s hope they won’t have to sacrifice their jobs like those in the past because of the “Spend Nutting Do Nutting” attitude he has mastered.

I challenge our politicians and fans to keep the pressure on Nutting to sell this team to a leader we can all be proud of. PNC Park was built with public funds and we demand better. All the chipped ham and jumbo in Pittsburgh wouldn’t change our minds. Excuse me, Bob, while I worsh mine down with an ice cold pop.

If you must go to a game this year, might I suggest becoming an usher? At least then you would get in for free and not have to pay for his black and gold train wreck. Put the “sport” back into Pirates baseball.

Jeffrey C. Kostie, Lower Burrell

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