Letters: Thompson embarrasses home county; Benefits of RGGI are clear

Thompson embarrasses home county

Finally, Glenn Thompson makes the news ... and embarrasses all of us.

Up until now, Thompson’s lackluster career in Congress was notable for just one thing: being the number one speaker on the House of Representatives floor — more than 1,000 times — most often to a nearly empty chamber. His insignificance is staggering.

Now we can add “hypocrisy” to Thompson’s legendary insignificance, and the country has finally noticed his existence.

Media outlets from coast to coast have reported that Thompson voted against a bill codifying marriage equality in federal law but then, just three days later, attended his son’s same-sex marriage. At the ceremony Thompson is reported as saying how “blessed” he felt to celebrate the men’s marriage and to welcome a new member into his family.

We should all send congratulations and best wishes to Thompson’s son as he embarks on married life.

But too bad that Glenn Thompson chose this moment to again remind us how little he has accomplished in Congress. Now, after bloviating over 1,000 times to an empty chamber, the country finally knows him for his mind-numbing hypocrisy.

This would be funny if it weren’t so sad.

Benefits of RGGI are clear

Carbon pollution is the leading greenhouse gas that causes climate change. Pennsylvania is the fifth largest generator of carbon pollution in the country, so it’s great news that Pennsylvania is now part of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), a successful bipartisan effort that cuts carbon pollution coming from power plants.

Because the coal and gas industry must pay for their pollution through RGGI, this industry and the state legislators connected with the petrochemical industry are waging an all-out legal assault on Pennsylvania’s participation in the market-based program.

The environmental and health benefits are clear. Reduction in carbon emissions is a proven method for climate mitigation and protection of public health. Being part of RGGI will also create jobs and put millions of dollars in the state Clean Air Fund.

Let’s put money from RGGI in the Clean Air Fund and stop lining the pockets of the politicians.

Alzheimer’s research investments must continue

Research presented at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference 2022 (AAIC 2022) is providing new insight into dementia risk, prevalence, diagnosis, treatment, the long-term cognitive impact of COVID-19 and more.

According to the 2022 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures Report, over 280,000 Pennsylvanians are living with Alzheimer’s and that number is expected to rise 14% by 2025. I work with area families who are experiencing an Alzheimer’s or dementia diagnosis and see the increased burden they experience daily.

Thankfully, over the last decade, since the passage of the National Alzheimer’s Project Act (NAPA) and the Alzheimer’s Accountability Act, Congress has made addressing Alzheimer’s and dementia a priority. With these two laws set to expire in 2025, updated legislation is critically needed by people living with Alzheimer’s and their caregivers.

As we’ve seen from the research presented at AAIC 2022, when we invest in Alzheimer’s and dementia research, we gain valuable insights. The investment must continue.

Please join me and the Alzheimer’s Association and ask our state legislature to cosponsor the NAPA Reauthorization Act and the Alzheimer’s Accountability and Investment Act.

To learn more and take action, visit the Alzheimer’s Association at alz.org/advocate.