Letters: Biden supporters out of touch with reality; What are PA leaders hiding?

Biden supporters out of touch with reality

Mr. Steven Smith’s letter on Oct. 28 was a reminder of those that have lost a sense of reality. He stated “President Biden is far from incompetent; he’s doing exactly what he was elected to do.” Really?

I suppose Mr. Smith and other like-minded individuals signed up for: Jimmy Carter-like inflation, southern border infiltration by un-vetted and un-vaccinated migrants, energy dependence on OPEC, weaponization of the FBI against concerned parents, a logjam of goods off the coast of California while having offers to re-route to open ports in other states (but why would you allow a red state to solve your problem), the evacuation of Afghanistan debacle, an unprecedented unanimous condemnation of an American President on the floor of the British Parliament, vaccine mandates imposed on corporate America forcing good and much-needed skilled employees off the job even though they have proven protective antibodies. Need I go on.

If this is what Mr. Smith and the other 40,000 voters in Centre County voted for, then success and congratulations. You got what you wanted, but unfortunately so did I and others who did not sign up for this fiasco.

Mr. Smith appears to be rowing a sinking ship. According to a recent Franklin and Marshall poll, Mr. Biden’s 78% approval rating in August among Pennsylvania Democrats is now at 62%. Astounding! Biden’s approval rating among all Pennsylvania voters is now 32% down from 41% in August. Hang onto your hat Mr. Smith, stormy weather ahead. Unfortunately.

What are PA leaders hiding?

Kudos to the CDT for printing the two day Spotlight examination of the Pennsylvania Legislature’s secretive use of outside lawyers, despite employing their own counselors at $200,00 per year. The heavily redacted report shows that the legislative members do not wish to have openness regarding their enormous expenditures of the people’s money for various reimbursements for food, housing, transportation, office rentals and other perks for themselves and their staffs. This same legislature, led by our local legislative “leaders,” Jake Corman and Kerry Benninghoff, are quick to demand openness in the voting process, despite outside evaluators finding 99% of the process was conducted openly and fairly. What kind of leaders are these people who claim to represent the people of Pennsylvania, yet hide the enormous expenditures that they rack up? As the latest elections loom, the people should vote these shysters out of office and support open and honest politicians instead.

Casino is a losing proposition

Some folks may love the idea of having a mini-casino in the region. Some may not.

But everyone should know the truth about the financial impact.

Let’s look at the facts:

1) The mini-casino owners pledge to forward 2% of slots revenues to College Township.

2) Meanwhile, the profit taken in by slots, as set by the State Gaming Control Board, is 15%.

3) Further, mini-casinos, like the one proposed for the Nittany Mall, draw over 80% of their business from the local area (unlike Vegas-style Resort Casinos, which draw tourists from outside the region — by offering luxury hotels and restaurants, and world-class entertainment).

So, 80% of the 15% profit — 12% in total — will come from the pockets of local residents. Of that 12%, 2% will be kicked-back to College Township, and 10% (approximately $8-10 million per year) will be a net loss of local assets — transferred to the mini-casino owners in Philadelphia.

And “jobs”? At a mini-casino (basically a giant room filled with slot machines), the jobs are overwhelmingly entry level service jobs. The types of jobs that are, already, in abundant supply throughout the region. In fact, stroll down College Avenue or up Atherton Street, and it is clear that we have a vast over-supply of such jobs right now — without sufficient manpower to fill them.

Financially, the mini-casino is a losing proposition for the community. That is a sure bet.