President, officials’ absences spoke loudly at GOP convention
The differences between the two parties’ political conventions could not be more stark. Certainly, the Democratic National Convention was more “joyful” and energetic than its Republican counterpart, but it also showcased different eras and strands of the Democratic Party. The former Democratic presidents and their wives spoke, former vice presidents and other important members of the party were there. They spoke around some common themes and articulated shared hopes and plans. Agree with the party or disagree, the DNC came across as a normal political party.
By contrast, the Republican National Convention was nothing but the Donald Trump show. It was stunning (or more appropriately, “weird”) that former Republican President George W. Bush and his family were absent. Furthermore, none of the three living Republican vice presidents — including Trump’s own vice-president! — were to be seen either. Liz Cheney, Paul Ryan — not there. The RNC was about Trump and his henchmen. As others have noted, the GOP isn’t a political party any longer but is a personality cult without a positive message or mission. The Republican National Convention made this abundantly clear.
Kim Shively
Bethlehem Township
Criticism of EV mandates was a pleasant surprise
Having spent my career in the automobile business, I was pleasantly surprised by TJ Rooney’s “Your View” article Aug. 19. Mr. Rooney presented a factual, well-researched and commonsense summation on electric vehicles and EV mandates favored by some Democrats.
EVs are not ready for mass market adoption by the public for a number of reasons including cost, infrastructure and practicality. Mandates do not and have not worked, and never will.
Capitalism, i.e. the free market, is best at determining products or services that are winners or losers. Translated: The consumer decides what they desire, not what some bureaucrat or elected official thinks is best for us.
There is not much, in fact almost zero, the Democratic Party or Democratic politicians present or promote that I agree with. It does appear however that common ground is achievable.
Mr. Rooney’s article provided a well-reasoned approach for how policies should be reviewed and how taking a measured approach to solving issues should proceed for the best interests of the public.
Mark Porcaro
Palmer Township
Imagine if Donald Trump were a school teacher
I was just imagining a thought in my head, now that my grandkids are going back to school. Would it be appropriate for them to have a teacher who was a felon? How about one who has been accused of sexual misconduct? Maybe one who teaches history and says immigrants will poison the blood of our country? One that teaches economics who says the rich and corporations should keep getting tax cuts, while the middle class pays more in their place. Better yet, who teach students it’s OK to falsify business records. I’m sure a good parent or anyone else would not accept such a person as a teacher. Then why are we accepting this kind of person as a presidential candidate?
Emmanuel Glykas
Allentown
No more sentencing delays in Trump’s NY felony case
Donald Trump and his lawyers think sentencing for his hush money/ falsifying business records trial is being rushed. Are you kidding me? The sentencing was delayed already at their request. Sept. 18 seems more than fair. This crime happened more than eight years ago.
Wanda Finelli
Bethlehem
Abortion an election issue despite availability in Pa.
A recent letter asserted that abortion is not an issue because it’s accessible in Pennsylvania, because a national ban requires legislative action, and because state control will give voters laws that “align with their personal beliefs.” Nonsense. Forget Republican efforts to effect a six-week/no exceptions ban in recent years in Pennsylvania or to change the Pennsylvania Constitution to not guarantee any abortion rights? Forget that the U.S. House’s Republican Study Committee endorsed a national, no-exceptions ban as recently as March 2024? Forget about Republican-imposed bans in 22 states (14 complete bans) denying the 55% who are pro-choice their “personal beliefs.”
As for the letter writer’s “primary concerns,” nearly all (except crime, which is down under President Biden) are a function of post-pandemic supply/demand issues not under any president’s direct control. Perhaps Pennsylvania’s nearly highest-in-the-nation gas tax has a bit to do with “prices at the pump.” Donald Trump’s tariffs would come out of our pocket — not China’s, as he continues to claim. And regarding the pandemic, it was the true test of presidential fitness and leadership during a national crisis. Trump’s documented lies, misinformation and missteps resulted in hundreds of thousands of dead Americans.
Thomas J. Mackow
Milford Township
Be prepared for disruptions to voting before Election Day
In this writer’s opinion, the Trump team learned from the 2020 election that post-Election Day challenges and disruptions were not effective in changing the outcome. I believe that the voting infrastructure should be prepared for pre-Election Day, Trump team-inspired disruptions during the days immediately before Election Day. These disruptions might include voting roll challenges, impacts to polling locations or intimidation of polling location staff. In my opinion, the likelihood of Trump team-inspired disruptions will increase as Trump continues to trail in the polls.
David Thompson
Lower Macungie Township
German tour guide warned how democracy fell in ’30s
I just returned from a trip to Germany. Two of my tour guides repeatedly spoke about the 1930s and how the German democracy was destroyed by a man who used fear and hatred to confuse the German people. The woman who led us on a tour of Munich said, “The German people could not distinguish facts anymore and it only took a matter of years for our fragile democracy to be taken over by a cruel regime.” She stressed how vigilant people must be when buried by lies. I couldn’t help but wonder if she and our guide in Austria were warning Americans about Donald Trump and the threat he poses to everything Americans hold dear.
Kathleen Moser
Weisenberg Township
St. Luke’s, LVHN waste money on competition
The Lehigh Valley is fortunate to have two outstanding health care organizations — St. Luke’s and Lehigh Valley Health Network — that seem desperate to compete for each other’s customers. Every time I see another, often childish, billboard or newspaper ad, I think that there must be some better use for that money that is more in line with their goal of improving community health.
John Kenly Smith Jr.
Bethlehem
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