Letters: Mastriano is the elite’s candidate for governor; School meals a wise investment

Mastriano is the elite’s candidate for governor

Skepticism of elitism is an important aspect of democracy. It’s also essentially American. It’s no surprise, then, that GOP gubernatorial candidate Doug Mastriano’s anti-elitist rhetoric and “everyman” attitude and mannerisms sound reassuring.

However, attacks on the “elite” are often attacks on experts — those who have authoritative knowledge or skills in a given field.

Democracy doesn’t require that we diminish expertise. To the contrary, it’s wise for us to take counsel in the knowledge and experience of professionals — and to recognize when anti-expertise and anti-intellectualism are being sold under the guise of anti-elitism.

True elitism is disproportionate power given to a small group of individuals with undue influence or unearned authority.

The wealthiest 5% of Americans control 65% of our nation’s wealth; the wealthiest 1% of Americans control 31% of the wealth.

Wealth equals power — power to finance think-tanks and foundations that influence our elected leaders, power to create “model legislation” written by moneyed special interests and handed off to legislators, power to promote policies that impact the health, safety and well-being of ordinary people.

While Doug Mastriano undermines scientists, educators and medical professionals, he promotes policies that benefit the true elite.

He promotes corporate tax cuts that shift the burden to workers. He supports the reduction or elimination of corporate accountability to workers, consumers, and the public at large.

He opposes raising Pennsylvania’s minimum wage to a modest $9.50 — and openly proposes legislation that would weaken organized labor in Pennsylvania.

Doug Mastriano is the elite’s candidate for Pennsylvania governor.

School meals a wise investment

School meals are as important to learning as text books and teachers, but federal funding that provided free school meals to all students for the past two years has ended. This school year, only students from families who apply for and qualify will receive free school meals. The end of federal support will be especially difficult for families who fall just outside the USDA’s income-eligibility guidelines. The past two years have shown us how students and educators benefit when school meals are free for all kids. School meals reduce childhood hunger, decrease childhood obesity, support learning and contribute to positive mental and physical health. With the challenges of the pandemic persisting and families facing higher costs in the grocery stores and at the gas pump, now is not the time to take a step backward.

The School Nutrition Association of Pennsylvania commends the State Senate Education Committee, specifically Senator Lindsey Williams, Senator Jim Brewster, Senator Carolyn Comitta, and Senator Tim Kearney, for their consistent efforts to support school meal programs and preserve access to nutritious meals for the children in Pennsylvania. The committee recently forwarded a letter to Governor Wolf urging emergency action to temporarily cover the costs of school meals for the 2022-2023 school year. This would be a wise investment in Pennsylvania’s most important resource — its children.

Votes need explanation

In July our esteemed representatives G.T. (Thompson) and Fred (Keller) voted no on an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 7900) that would require the FBI, Homeland Security and the Department of Defense to oppose white supremacist and neo-Nazi activity by agency employees. The amendment passed, but G.T. and Fred voted no. Monday’s paper brought more news of their votes: A bill to criminalize the purchase or possession of semi-automatic guns (assault weapons) or devices that feed large amounts of ammunition into a gun. Again, these gentlemen voted no. I thought our congressional representatives reflected the opinions of people in their districts — guess I was wrong.

Care to explain your idiotic votes? Really — you can’t vote against neo-Nazi activity or assault weapon ownership? Folks want to know — who the heck do you represent?