1 week Ago
Taxpayers shouldn’t subsidize union officialsAmidst the unprecedented wailing, gnashing of teeth and general vituperation filling these pages since Jan. 20, a long-overdue scrutiny of government unions is in process.Although “Plummeting morale plagues Philly airport TSA workers” (March 25) discusses Philadelphia TSA workers’ reactions to losing their labor union, that headline ignores the article’s most important points.
The American Federation of Government Employees reported in January 2024 that 25.1% of the Federal workforce is organized into unions. Early on, President Franklin Roosevelt opposed bringing collective bargaining into the public sector because it would hamper public personnel management.
Our government is largely funded by taxes: mandatory payments administered by elected officials in the public interest. Taxpayers should be wary of groups that can interfere with effective and efficient management of public funds.An AFGE spokesperson stated that 193 TSA employees work exclusively for the union, paid for by U.
S. taxpayers. If the pay and benefits of these 193 average about $80,000, our taxes pay $15.
44 million to support this group seeking to extract private gains from taxpayers for its members. And this is only the TSA union.Friends, as U.
S. taxpayers we must vigorously resist these unfortunate uses of our tax dollars.James LargayUpper Saucon TownshipFamily member witnesses Hodges’ work for neighborsI’ve known Monica Hodges for her entire life.
I’ve witnessed firsthand her dedication and commitment to the township.Before she was elected in 2021, she advocated for her neighbors. She promised to continue to do so once elected.
And she delivered, keeping the promises she made.She’s a dedicated servant to her community. When I am with her, I see her taking time to answer calls, texts and emails from residents.
If she doesn’t have answers, she finds answers.Her care and concern for all residents is a direct reflection of her not only being a genuine and compassionate human being but being a nurse and taking care of all her patients, no matter what their beliefs or background may be.She votes thoughtfully.
She’s harder on herself than anyone will ever know. There are sleepless nights. And the desire to serve to the best of her ability.
I encourage South Whitehall residents to vote for her or write her in on Primary Election Day, May 20.I am proud to call her my daughter.Veronica Horvath NorthamptonDespite faults, Trump is solving problemsIn a recent edition of The Morning Call an op-ed writer insults President Trump, and also those who support many — but certainly not all — of his policies.
It’s understandable why Mr. Trump rubs so many people the wrong way; e.g.
, his ego, his sometimes coarseness, his apparent belief in broad tariffs. The criticism such behaviors and policies elicit should be respected. More difficult to understand is the apparent lack of recognition or concern from the op-ed writer and other critics about the major unsustainable situations the president is fixing or trying to fix — namely, our previously wide open Southern border, our enormous spending on public education and health care and our very poor average outcomes in both (in spite of our dedicated and talented teachers and health care providers), and our ridiculous “emperor-has-no-clothes-on” level of national debt.
Significant in President Trump’s reelection were major unforced errors by the Biden administration — notably, the open border, the disastrous pullout from Afghanistan, the Democratic Party’s refusal to admit President Biden’s mental acuity seemed to be slipping, and the choosing of the very weak Harris/Walz ticket late in the election cycle. The unsustainable situations that must be fixed are those that should concern everyone. Giving lectures about “so-called Christians” and our country “wandering in the desert” won’t suffice.
Jim SorensenSalisbury TownshipMackenzie, McCormick stay silent while democracy is under attackWe are watching our rights erode and our Constitution come under serious threat — yet Rep. Mackenzie and Sen. McCormick, like many elected Republicans, seem more focused on promoting themselves than addressing these urgent concerns.
Through social media, television and opinion pages, they flood the public with photo ops from business visits, farm tours and school appearances — while staying silent on the chaos and danger posed by Donald Trump and his deeply troubling administration.They have ignored calls from constituents worried about threats to freedom of speech, the erosion of the rule of law, reports of disguised Immigration and Custom Enforcement agents targeting families and even shocking proposals to imprison citizens in foreign jails for speaking out. Instead, they support measures that restrict voting rights and confirm unqualified Trump loyalists to key government roles.
Their actions suggest a deep disrespect for Pennsylvania voters — assuming we’re too distracted or uninformed to notice. This level of arrogance is staggering. At a time when our communities are demanding real moral leadership, their silence and self-promotion speak volumes.
It’s not just disappointing — it’s cowardly. We deserve better.Terri PurdyEmmausIt’s time to fire defense secretaryWith the recent revelation of Defense Secretary Hegseth’s involvement in another use of unauthorized communication channels and protocols, the firing of several key Pentagon officials, and numerous reports of chaos and low morale in this most critical of federal agencies, it is time to rid ourselves of Hegseth.
He is totally unqualified to lead — alcohol problems, sexual improprieties, poor management of his nonprofit organization, zero experience as a senior national security leader, and botched communications about negotiating peace in Ukraine which have put that brave nation in a terrible position. He is a national security risk for sure, and the 50 Republican senators (including Dave McCormick) who voted for him should be ashamed of themselves.Galen Chad GodbeyAllentownELECTION LETTERSLetters to the editor about candidates and issues in the May 20 primary election must be received by 10 a.
m. May 12. Election-related letters will not be published after May 15.
The Morning Call publishes letters from readers online and in print several times a week. Submit a letter to the editor at [email protected].
The views expressed in this piece are those of its individual author(s), and should not be interpreted as reflecting the views of this publication..
