Letters: Debt ceiling crisis jeopardizes all; Support Rater for judge

Debt ceiling crisis jeopardizes all

The midterms showed that voters want responsible government, not extreme politics. MAGA Republicans don’t care. They’re engaged in a dangerous game of chicken with the debt ceiling — unlike previous debt ceiling discussions, the House is not budging, with catastrophic consequences.

The U.S. government reached its legal debt limit. If the borrowing limit isn’t increased, the country will default on its debts (something that’s never happened), financial markets will likely crash and our hard-earned retirement accounts will crater. Businesses will contract, leading to massive layoffs. Essential government functions will stop. Millions of Americans who receive earned government payments — Social Security, Medicare, veterans benefits —may not get paid.

Raising the debt ceiling is usually a bipartisan undertaking. Not now. House Speaker McCarthy is holding the country hostage, refusing to raise the debt ceiling without budget concessions from the current administration. He ignores a simple truth: increases to the debt ceiling cover bills accrued during the current and previous administrations, including the massive tax cut that benefited ultra-wealthy Americans by former Present Trump. Republicans routinely contribute to the debt and have repeatedly increased the debt ceiling in the past. They only object when there is a Democratic administration.

Don’t let Republicans wreck the U.S. economy, tarnish our national reputation, and cause untold hardship for average Americans. Tell Glenn Thompson to support the debt ceiling increase now — or jeopardize his own job in 2024.

Support Rater for judge

I’ve known Centre County judge candidate Julia Rater for almost 20 years. I first met her when she volunteered to help run the Park Forest Swim Team concessions back in 2004. For a number of years, she was the primary person who coordinated all duties that were required to run that project, and she continued to volunteer her time even when her children no longer swam for the team.

I also have my own business, and I’ve referred a number of my clients to her when they had needs for her legal services. I’m very selective as to whom I refer my clients, and I’ve found she was a fair and impartial mediator to them.

I strongly urge everyone to consider voting for Julia for Centre County judge.

Organization gives families of injured loggers ‘a lift’

The forests of Pennsylvania are a renewable resource that support a forest products industry that employs about 64,000 Pennsylvanians and produces over $36 billion in total economic impact. Timber harvesting is essential to provide the raw material for the industry. Timber harvesting is also one of the most dangerous occupations in the commonwealth. Although there have been great strides in logging safety programs over the years, accidents still happen. When logging injuries occur and someone is out of work, there is no income. Most logging contractors have insurance, but sometimes it takes a while for help to arrive.

ALIFT (Assisting Loggers Immediately Trust Fund) was established to provide some immediate financial assistance to the families of injured logging contractors. Though not intended to replace insurance, timely financial assistance that ALIFT can provide is essential to help families cover some every day expenses before the insurance kicks in.

ALIFT is now providing assistance throughout the state as well as southern tier New York. ALIFT recently helped out its 50th family. Through fundraisers and the generosity of donors, ALIFT has established a fund that can provide help when needed and give families “a lift.” For more information, check out the ALIFT Facebook page.