Letters: The wrong stuff for leadership; Stop the casino

The wrong stuff for leadership

I recently read an excellent opinion piece written by the Editorial Board of the New York Times on leadership and how our democracy needs leaders who display “principled acts ... of political bravery.” My thoughts immediately went to Pennsylvania’s wannabe state leader, Doug Mastriano, who has become the national poster boy of right-wing extremism.

From what I’ve seen, he talks a good game about leadership, using his military service and rank as evidence of his integrity and leadership skills. Ironically, his practice of posting pictures of himself in uniform brought him a “warning” from the U.S. Army, that such displays, easily interpreted as an endorsement of a political candidate, runs afoul of military policy. Interesting that such a by-the-book kind of guy wouldn’t know this.

Actually, Mastriano’s notoriety is not related to actions. His “service” to the commonwealth is minimal and checkered. Rather, he is known by his words, which stand in stark contrast to what voters would expect and demand of principled leaders.

When he’s not pontificating about doing the “Lord’s” work, implying that he alone is the candidate for governor “hand-picked by god,” he’s deflecting questions about his position on the issues most voters care about with curt dismissals. “My body, my choice is ridiculous nonsense,” he says. “Separation between church and state is a myth,” he declares.

Doug Mastriano fails miserably at demonstrating true leadership, offering instead arrogance, cynicism and dismissiveness.

History has shown each of these characteristics to be weapons of the weak.

Stop the casino

Early in her marriage, a cousin lost her beloved husband, Danny, to gambling addiction. His illness resulted in heartbreak, divorce, financial ruin and Danny’s early death. One anecdote doesn’t prove a rule. But we challenge anyone to find stories of people’s lives saved, let alone uplifted, by gambling.

Centre Region values good-paying jobs. A few casino employees earn solid incomes, but most are service workers earning around minimum wage. The big money goes out of town, into the owner’s pocket. Our region values wholesome recreation. Casino recreation comes at a cost to families and the host communities. And stories similar to ours are terribly common.

Since the College Township Supervisors’ inexplicable decision to set this casino in motion, public sentiment has mirrored the value of a casino here. It’s negative. Centre Region polling, letters and petition signatures are running over 9:1 against.

The Nittany Mall will find better tenants, as is happening at similar malls around the country. Business and community leaders are actively planning a better future for the mall: a future with strong local roots. If a Penn State trustee needs a place to develop a casino, we suggest his own community.

Let’s continue to be proud of our region. Let’s not have this casino proceed. Contact the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board. Email the College Township Council at ctcouncil@collegetownship.org. And please visit SayNoCasino.org to see how you can help head off this mistake.

Oppose dangerous bill

SB 106 is the latest abomination in PA’s dysfunction and I urge readers to contact your friends and legislators to actively oppose it. This bundle of constitutional amendments has demonstrates yet again that the Republican majority in Pennsylvania is irresponsible. SB 106 dangerously removes bodily autonomy for those who can get pregnant by allowing legislators to commit medical malpractice and override medical needs. It violates the federal age to vote. It blocks voting with an extended residency requirement that would primarily affect college age students. It lumps five ideas together that should go through the legislative process instead of circumventing the governor’s approval. Voters must oppose this bill now before it passes the legislature again and comes up for public vote in November.

This story was originally published August 24, 2022 at 6:00 AM.