Letters: Supporting Zeigler in PA’s 171st District; ‘We can’ vs ‘we should’

Editor’s note: The Centre Daily Times welcomes letters endorsing candidates in the Nov. 8 election and will accept letters that are received by Nov. 3. Letters are subject to editing, must be based on facts and should avoid attacks on other candidates.

Supporting Zeigler in PA’s 171st District

I’m looking forward to voting for Robert Zeigler for the 171st PA House District this Nov. 8, and proud to let my community know why his candidacy is so important to me.

Robert knows that voters in rural central Pennsylvania have long been neglected and taken for granted. That’s why he’s spent month after month on the ground, talking directly to voters. He’s a good listener, a hard-worker and a bridge-builder, connecting with people across party lines.

He cares about everyone in his community and understands what they’re up against. Too many hardworking neighbors can’t get ahead, let alone make ends meet, and he’s committed to fixing our broken system.

Robert is focused on economic justice, health care justice, environmental justice, and criminal justice reform. Unlike his opponent, Robert has fresh ideas and genuine connections to working Pennsylvanians. He’s made it his goal to visit every voter in the 171st District, door-to-door and face-to-face.

I’m looking forward to voting on Nov. 8 for a working-class candidate who’s dedicated himself to making things better for the 171st District — and I know that many of my neighbors and fellow voters are excited as well!

‘We can’ vs ‘we should’

The First Amendment may allow anyone to say anything, but it doesn’t protect anyone from repercussions. Laws against committing perjury and terrorist threats both restrict speech and no one seriously doubts their validity. Yet, Penn State feels free to have the founder Gavin McInnes of the Proud Boys (a known terrorist and racist, along with his buddy Alex Stein a self-professed racist) speak at their institution.

It gives this person pause, when wondering if Penn State cares about their students or community.

The actions speak loudly and make me think: Just because “we can” doesn’t mean we should.

Wise rulers

From Lao Tzu’s Tao Te Ching (6th century BCE):

“When great men rule, subjects know little of their existence. Rulers who are less great win the affection and praise of their subjects. A common ruler is feared by his subjects, and an unworthy ruler is despised. ... How carefully a wise ruler chooses his words. He performs deeds and accumulates merit! Under such a ruler the people think they are ruling themselves.”

Taking back our liberty, lives

We the people had a chance to change the course of America from the elites that are trying to destroy our democracy. The last two years we’ve been lied to and censored by the government and social media. They have destroyed our freedoms and tried to indoctrinate our children in the public schools. Enjoy your last few days of control over us. Because on Nov. 8 we are taking back our liberty and lives.

Inflation no reason to vote Republican

Recent polling suggests that inflation is the voters’ primary concern, and is helping to lift Republican candidates.

Yes, inflation is a problem, but that’s hardly a reason to vote Republican. The private sector, not the government, created inflation. Corporations set up the supply chains that have proved so fragile; corporations created shortages in baby formula, computer chips and washing machines. Corporations gleefully took in record profits from the inflated prices they set. It would take government intervention in the form of wage and price controls to tame inflation, and neither party is about to do that.

However, there are real differences between the parties that make this election crucial. The MAGA Republicans’ top priorities are to ban abortion nationwide and bring an end to Social Security and Medicare. Next will come an end of aid to Ukraine, more tax cuts for the rich, and anti-LGBTQ legislation. None of those have anything to do with inflation, but they will cause hardship for many Americans and weaken our standing in the world.

Most dangerously, the MAGA Republican party under Trump’s influence has developed a disdain for democracy by lining up behind Trump’s effort to cast doubt on election integrity; they have adopted a tolerance for political violence, evident from January 6. Republican control of either house could undermine the 2024 elections, killing our 235-year-long experiment in self-governance.

I hope voters will put aside the vain hope that Republicans will do anything about inflation, and vote instead to save our democracy.

Trust in Oz?

When there’s a buck to be made, do ethics or truth matter anymore?

Several years ago, I saw a Dr. Oz pop-up ad promoting his latest miracle weight-loss product. No more dieting. No more exercise. Take his pills and the pounds will disappear. I was doubtful, but curious, after all, his offer came with a 100% satisfaction guarantee — and what did I have to lose (that’s sarcasm)?

I took half the recommended dose and felt like I’d overdosed on caffeine.

America’s obese population is incredibly vulnerable, due to health concerns and social pressures — and weight-loss is a lucrative $3.8 billion industry!

Oz could have used his celebrity status and knowledge as a cardiologist to educate a vulnerable population at risk for heart disease, stroke and cancer. That would have been an honorable service worthy of a candidate for the U.S. Senate. But he didn’t do that. Instead of recommending a healthy diet, portion control, exercise — and other fact-based solutions — he pedaled a “magic weight loss cure for every body type” to millions of Americans desperate to lose weight — products he knew didn’t work.

Oz admitted to Congress that the products he pushed don’t pass “scientific muster.”

Medical experts say 60% of the claims he made on his show were not supported by medical evidence. An open letter signed by 1,300 doctors called him a “fake and a charlatan.”

Doctor Oz can’t be trusted to uphold his Hippocratic oath; how can we trust a Senator Oz to defend the U.S. Constitution?

A plea to reluctant voters

I am writing to those who don’t see themselves in the candidates. I’m prompted by comments from a young gay Black man who has said he won’t vote because no candidate looks like him.

I empathize. As a woman, I have rarely seen a candidate who looks like me. Across decades of voting in mostly blue states, I can count on one hand the opportunities to vote for a woman for national or statewide office, perhaps two hands including primaries.

Yet I have voted in almost every election — presidential, midterm, and off-year — and in most primaries. I voted for the candidates who best represented my values and positions.

This November, I’ll vote for younger white male Democrats because they share my values. They’ll govern and legislate in support of

• Voting rights
• Protection for Medicare and Social Security
• Rights for women, minorities, and the LBGTQ+ community
• Reproductive rights
• Accessible and equitable health care and educational opportunities
• Worker’s rights (including a living wage)
• Economic and legal justice
• Gun safety
• Immigration reform
• Climate action
• Election integrity
• Investments in infrastructure

They believe that government exists to benefit people. If they lose an election, they will admit it.