Letters: A saying in action; Pennsylvania needs ranked choice voting
A saying in action
Former POTUS Donald J. Trump and his multi-millions of supporters bears witness to the old adage “you can fool some of the people all of the time.”
Pennsylvania needs ranked choice voting
I was pleased to read Nate Plautz’s illuminating column on ranked choice voting in the June 16 CDT.
He gave solid reasons to support it: winners have broader consensus, you can vote for good third-party candidates without worrying about “spoiling” elections, and it’s harder for a candidate to run solely on the contention that his or her opponent is the spawn of the devil. Campaigns tend to be more positive and focused on policy.
Ranked choice voting is gaining traction around the nation. Maine and Alaska use it. Fifty-two municipalities including New York City now employ it. Legislation has been introduced in Virginia, Connecticut, Oklahoma and Montana to permit its use in those states.
Oh, and it’s not hard to do. People get the hang of it quickly. Exit polls conducted by Edison Research after a New York City primary election found that 95% found their ranked-choice ballots “simple to complete.”
Pennsylvania needs ranked choice voting. For more information check out actionnetwork.org/petitions/ranked-choice-voting-in-pennsylvania.
Partisan politics behind resignation request
As a former president of the State College Area School District’s board of directors, I am appalled by the request from United 4 SCASD candidates for Peter Buck’s resignation. It is obvious that this is being done to take attention away from the Layngs’ trespassing into the high school library. Their misguided action should be the focus without using Dr. Buck as a scapegoat.
In all my years on the school board political affiliation was never a factor in deciding what was best for our students. It is a shame that partisan argumentative behavior has eroded this congenial history.
RCO discussion should not be about labels
We should never put a label on worker safety. The people who toil every day to provide for themselves and their families should expect to have safe working conditions whether they are union or non-union. We should never put a label on a livable wage. Workers deserve to be compensated fairly and have the right to trust that they are receiving the full pay and benefits they deserve. We should never put a label on dealing fairly with a company. The taxpayers should be sure that the companies engaged in public works have a stellar reputation in treating their employees with dignity and respect. Public officials have a duty to ensure our dollars are being spent with firms who meet the highest standards. There are many union and non-union companies that have great apprenticeship programs that foster quality work, create skilled craftsmen, and understand that through these programs their reputations for high quality results are enhanced. This in turn creates a demand for their services. I have been a card-carrying member of a union since 1977. I also served as a Centre County Commissioner. I have dedicated my entire career in public service to being the voice of working people. The Responsible Contractor Ordinance is another tool in ensuring workers get the pay they deserve, the safety they need and the respect they have earned. This discussion should not be about labels. It is about human beings. Protecting our workers should be the top priority of all public servants.