Letters: Honoring 250 years of the Postal Service; Republicans subsidize private jets, not health care
Honoring 250 years of the Postal Service
Most people who are familiar with Independence Hall in Philadelphia know – at least – that important decisions were made there during the American Revolution. All the beginnings of our nation can trace back to the debates and discussions there of a small group of men risking their lives to start and lead a rebellion against the British crown.
One of the most important meetings of the Second Continental Congress occurred in that hall on July 26, 1775. The topic was the urgent need to establish secure and reliable communications with the Continental Army and among the colonies, which created the birth of the United States Postal Service.
We can see that the Postal Service helped our nation grow economically; it strengthened our democracy by ensuring the uncensored and unrestricted flow of communications; it bound the nation together and still does. Every mail delivery today is a living reminder that our democracy and our commercial success and our unity as a nation were all shaped by the constant presence of the Postal Service in our daily lives.
And so, in this year of our 250th anniversary of the United States Postal Service, perhaps as you visit your mailbox, please give a thought to those far-sighted founders in Philadelphia. They would no doubt would be amazed and gratified to know that their ideals and aspirations are carried forward every day by the 630,000 men and women of the Postal Service who today live, work and serve in every community in Pennsylvania and America.
Stephen Kochersperger, Boalsburg. The author is a United States Postal Service historian and former postmaster of Julian.
Republicans subsidize private jets, not health care
Americans will pay a lot more for health insurance next year according to analysis from KFF, a nonpartisan health policy research group. Those who buy insurance through the Affordable Care Act will see premiums rise an average of 75%. This includes millions of Americans who don’t have employer-sponsored insurance and don’t qualify for Medicaid or Medicare.
Insurance companies attribute the price hikes to the end of government subsidies, which helped drive the uninsured rate to a historical low. Higher costs will lead many healthy people to take their chances and go without insurance. That’s bad news for the rest of us. Those left in the insurance pool will be sicker and cost more, leading to further premium hikes for everyone.
There’s a simple solution: Congress could extend those subsidies — except that Republicans claim those subsidies are an unfair burden on taxpayers.
Oddly, Republicans don’t mind taxpayer-supported subsidies for private jet owners, but think it’s OK for millions of Americans to lose their health insurance. The budget legislation they just passed allows jet owners to immediately deduct the full purchase price of aircraft, which will result in $378 billion in lost government revenue over 10 years. Meanwhile, reduced healthcare subsidies will result in more costly medical problems, earlier deaths, and higher premiums for everyone.
Speaking of jets, Republicans just voted to let Trump keep the “gifted” Qatari jet after leaving office — and after a taxpayer-funded $1 billion retrofit!
What kind of country are we?
Ed Satalia, State College
Trump tariffs hurting hardworking Americans
The Trump-era tariffs are doing exactly what economists before the election warned would happen: inflating prices, stalling investment, weakening job growth and fueling layoffs. Billed as tough-on-trade policies targeting foreign competitors, they’ve landed hardest on working Americans — people whose meager pay raises can’t keep up with rising costs. Meanwhile, Trump’s tax and trade policies are ballooning the national debt.
Tariffs are taxes, plain and simple. And like all taxes, they trickle down — to shoppers, manufacturers who rely on imports, and small businesses fighting to stay afloat. The fallout? Higher prices, hiring freezes, and scrapped growth plans.
The numbers don’t lie — despite Trump’s attempts to muzzle the Bureau of Labor Statistics or others telling the truth. Investment is falling. Layoffs are rising. Job growth is sluggish. Inflation, made worse by these tariffs, is squeezing household budgets and making many long for the relative economic calm under Joe Biden!
This is the Trump economy: built on bluster and lies, not strategy. Tariffs meant to punish foreign nations are instead punishing average Americans. And Trump’s so-called “Big Beautiful Bill” handed massive tax cuts to billionaires like himself while slashing health care for vulnerable children. All while he golfs, indifferent to the economic damage he created.
It’s maddening that so many gullible people mistook empty slogans for strength. Now, as the consequences come due, all Americans — whether they voted for Epstein’s friend or not — are paying the price for policies that promised greatness but delivered pain, debt and decline.
William J. Rothwell, State College