Letters: GOP has become ‘Trump Tax and Spend Party’; Learning about local news
GOP has become ‘Trump Tax and Spend Party’
As working Americans struggle, Trump is demanding billion-dollar vanity projects and political slush funds drawn from our federal tax funds.
Trump has said in so many words that he does not care about the financial troubles families face under his rule. Trump is so far out of touch as a crooked billionaire ... does he even dress himself? Has Trump ever washed a dish? Changed a diaper? Struggled to pay for food? Had to fill his own gas tank to travel to a low paying job? No, no, no, no and no.
Republicans call themselves the Conservative Party while stoking far off unjustified foreign conflicts and wasting our hard-earned tax dollars.
The Republicans are the Trump Tax and Spend Party, which does not have any traditional conservative values anymore.
The graft, nepotism and vindictive actions by Trump and his lapdogs is stunning. Will Republicans merely shrug again and say “Oh well, that’s Trump”?
The upcoming election presents a chance for our great nation to throw off the shackles of the Party of Trump and place people in Congress who are not in lock step with Trump’s chaotic actions.
I am a Registered Republican and I endorse this message.
David Thomas Roberts, Bellefonte
Learning about local news
The League of Women Voters of Centre County (LWVCC) will host an evening with Dave Abruzzese of Spotlight PA titled “Local News Matters!” on Wednesday, June 24 at 7 p.m. at the Calvary Harvest Fields Lodge Conference Room, 150 Harvest Fields Drive, Boalsburg. The event is open to the public without registration. For live Zoom link, email: lwvcentrecounty@gmail.com (The recording will also be available on the LWVCC website).
With local news sources failing across our nation, how residents get their news has become fractured and in some cases, unreliable. Centre County is fortunate to have the Centre Daily Times, The Centre County Gazette, Town and Gown and other forms of media. The LWVCC endeavors to educate, encourage and empower all eligible citizens to vote.
Spotlight PA is an independent, nonprofit, non-partisan news source covering Harrisburg and statewide issues. Dave Abruzzese works with their State College Bureau. Dave will speak on their work in the broader context of local news and democracy. “The decline of local journalism matters for civic engagement and government accountability, and Spotlight’s model is working to fill some of those gaps across Pennsylvania and here in north-central PA.” Come join LWVCC to hear about Spotlight PA, and have your questions answered.
Kathleen O’Connell, Lemont
Grateful for treatment at casino
There has been much controversy over the casino in State College, but I would like to give a shout-out to the marketing manager, Alaina, for her help and consideration. My daughter was eagerly waiting for the casino to open, but she ended up in hospice care and we were afraid her getting to see it wouldn’t happen. I spoke with Alaina and made arrangements for April 24 as the day for our visit. Her team met us at the front entrance and escorted us to the head of the line. Although she was in a transport chair we were able to move chairs so she could gamble for the last time. She has passed away, but I will always remember the fun she had in those two hours and the joy I had watching her. She got to play her favorite Invaders from the Planet Moolah game and her husband was lucky enough to win a jackpot. If you don’t like gambling then stay away, but let others gamble responsibly and have a good time. Thank you again for helping to make one of her last wishes come true.
Sally Murray, Saint Marys
Poll numbers offer reality check
Recent polling offers a fascinating perspective on public opinion in America. Depending on the survey, President Trump’s job approval rating now hovers in the mid-30% range — with several major polls placing it at roughly 35 to 37%. One survey found that Trump’s job approval is roughly comparable to Richard Nixon’s when he resigned in disgrace.
What makes those numbers especially interesting is what they resemble.
According to Gallup, 39% of Americans believe in ghosts. Other surveys have found that roughly 41% believe UFOs have visited Earth. About 30% of Americans believe in astrology. Pop culture surveys have even found that a minority of Americans hold surprising misconceptions — like thinking cloud computing involves rain clouds or that a USB is another country.
Belief in ghosts or astrology is about the same as belief in Trump.
Of course, these comparisons are not scientifically equivalent. Political preferences are not the same as beliefs about the supernatural. Millions of Americans support President Trump for reasons they regard as rational, though presumably those believing in ghosts, astrology or space aliens similarly believe their views are well-founded.
Still, the numbers provide a useful reality check. Political commentators on some media outlets often speak as though Trump enjoys overwhelming public support. Politicians pretend Trump’s policies enjoy a popular mandate. Yet the available evidence suggests that approval of Trump’s performance as president is roughly comparable to the percentage of gullible Americans who believe in ghosts, UFOs and psychic healing.
William Rothwell, State College