Submitted by Readers
—
We have survived another year by the grace of God, not by the leaders of our country. They should be ashamed of their conduct; collecting their checks for doing nothing for another year.
We were in this mess last year. We have not progressed, we have slid back. It’s time to get rid of the deadheads in Congress. No work, no pay, no pensions, no benefits, no unemployment checks.
People all over the world want to come to America, believing they will get the good life. We live here, and what do we get? We get by while our leaders use loopholes to cover up their money and tax breaks. They get huge salaries, paid benefits and vehicles paid for out of the common man’s taxes.
And an honest man gladly shows his tax return and pays his share.
Our governor wants to outsource our lottery. What’s next, sell Harrisburg to China?
Jean Delusa
Johnstown
Feeling safe, secure if more carried guns
As gun violence within our society becomes more of a problem with each passing day, I would like to propose some ideas to aid in mitigating this distressing situation.
First, teachers and school bus drivers should carry guns. Others who should arm themselves include clergy, firemen, all homeowners and renters, librarians, railroad conductors, public and private bus drivers, nurses in hospitals, bartenders, rangers in state and national parks, cruise line employees, Boy Scout and Girl Scout troop leaders, circus performers, waitresses and cashiers. Also, ushers in movie theaters and sporting events and vendors at county and state fairs.
Thus we can feel safe and secure no matter where we happen to be.
Frank Kovach
Johnstown
Guns are inanimate, people do the killing
In response to Ron Stephenson’s Readers’ Forum letter on Jan. 4, “Tribune-Democrat’s gun stance blasted”: What does Stephenson consider idiotic? Thank God we have the National Rifle Association to protect our Second Amendment rights. I am a proud member.
When are people going to realize that guns don’t kill people, but people kill people? There are a thousand things that can be used to kill, not just a gun. Put your energy into getting prayer back into the schools, getting the Ten Commandments back on the walls or helping those who really need help.
Guess what, Mr. Stephenson? The last time I bought a rifle at a gun show, I sat for over an hour just to get a background check. Guess what? I passed. But don’t ever break into my house. If my dog doesn’t get ya, my gun will.
John Gilliland
Hollsopple
Rothfus’ first vote doesn’t bode well
Rep. Keith Rothfus’ first major decision is a major disappointment. The people of Johnstown and Cambria County have been devastated by floods and natural disasters – it’s a major part of our history.
Each time we’ve had to ask for help in the form of federal flood relief. Let’s hope we don’t have to ask for assistance in the future.
Rothfus turned his back on the people of New Jersey and New York. Is this how the people of the 12th Congressional District want to be represented? I hope the 37 percent from Cambria County who voted for him are satisfied – and I hope they don’t need federal flood relief in the future. We don’t know if he will vote for or against it.
David Wainwright
Johnstown
Yearning for the good old days
Regarding our country’s moral decline, longing for good old days and taking God out of public schools, I propose the following to put prayer back in:
On Mondays, pray to God the Father; Tuesdays, Jesus; Wednesdays, Allah; Thursdays, Jehovah; Fridays, kids could learn Buddhist meditation. That should satisfy all. Or not.
I enjoy nostalgia about my idyllic childhood. I eventually learned that during the same time frame, some people in the South were denied basic freedoms in a “free country.” They couldn’t go to Woolworths or utilize a restroom or hotel unless it was designated “colored.”
Seeing films of fire hoses turned on citizens seeking rights was shocking.
Yearning for those times when a husband could beat up his wife and family or police would turn a blind eye? Was there no physical or sexual abuse of children back in those good old days, or was it just covered up?
The point is, society changes. We have more open communications. We work to overcome injustices as they are exposed, even as new bad behaviors emerge. Americans are more aware of human rights than ever.
A relationship with the almighty cannot be mandated. It occurs from within, and its quality, or lack thereof, is manifested by our behavior and words.
One thing about the good old days – my friends with guns in their house used them to shoot deer. It was an aberration when guns were deliberately used to kill people.
Can we ever get back to that?
Anita Altman
Johnstown
Click here to subscribe to The Tribune-Democrat print edition.
Click here to subscribe to The Tribune-Democrat e-edition.
