Letters: GOP control won’t solve problems; Local resources help fight period poverty

GOP control won’t solve problems

A June 5 article in the CDT, by Henry Olsen, argues that it’s not just likely, but actually inevitable, that House Republicans will gain seats in the 2022 midterms.

The reason seems to be voter impatience. When things aren’t going well, voters blame the party holding the majority and decide to “give the other guys a try.” Currently, Democrats hold the White House and slim majorities in both houses of Congress, so the impetus is to switch to Republican control.

Yes, we have problems: inflation, COVID, gun violence, environmental issues, Ukraine, even baby formula shortages. But do we really think these problems will subside with Republicans in charge? What would Republicans do to control inflation, or COVID, or stop the Russian assault on Ukraine, or increase baby formula supplies? Would House Republicans act to promote gun safety or climate change solutions? Dream on!

The Republican platform, according to the RNC website, “... is centered on stimulating economic growth for all Americans, protecting constitutionally-guaranteed freedoms, ensuring the integrity of our elections, and maintaining our national security.”

Yet, the only economic growth the RNC looks to ensure involves the rich and corporations as they work to deny women the freedom of making choices for themselves; the only constitutional rights they’re truly interested in preserving allow dangerous weapons to be sold at will. Are we to trust the likes of Meadows and Eastman to protect election integrity?

The economy can and will rebound, but our fragile democracy, once crushed, is another story.

Local resources help fight period poverty

Recent headlines have highlighted a new essential product shortage in the United States: menstrual products.

Survey data from Days for Girls at Penn State has shown that 13% of menstruating Penn State students missed class or work due to a lack of access to period products prior to this shortage, highlighting the challenges of period poverty already faced by our students. Period poverty affects 500 million people with periods around the world — including people in our own State College community.

A lack of safe and reliable menstrual health products can lead to the use of unsanitary items for the absorption of menstrual flow, like old rags, socks, or newspaper. Using period products for longer than safely intended to compensate for insufficient product access can also cause health complications like toxic shock syndrome or yeast infections.

It is essential that our community members are aware of the resources available to them to access menstrual health care products. The ability to participate in school, work and community events should never be disrupted by period poverty.

The following locations are stocked with free period products available for Penn State students.

• HUB, library, and Business Building bathrooms
• Lion’s Pantry
• Gender Equity Center
• Center for Sexual and Gender Diversity
• Student Veteran Center
• University Health Services (by appointment)

The following locations are stocked with free period products available to the general public.

• Palmer Museum of Art
• Abba Java
• Webster’s