In response to David W. Lamison and his glee at seeing a union getting “put in their place” (June 15, “Unions taken down a notch, Obama next”), perhaps Lamison has never belonged to a union. I would wager, however, that Lamison does benefit significantly from the work unions have done for workers over the years.

Here are 20 things you can thank unions for: The minimum wage, child labor laws, paid vacations, paid health-care plans, pensions, safe working conditions, collective bargaining, weekends off, sick leave, overtime pay, eight-hour work day, 40-hour work week, unemployment benefits, wrongful termination laws, pay raises, holiday pay, pregnancy and parental leave, right to strike, equal pay for women and laws ending sweatshops.

Most civil servants, maybe not in California, have to wait until they at least reach the age of 55 to be eligible to retire with at least 30 years of service. But $90,000 a year for life?

With 30 years, I can expect a pension of about $16,000. But, thanks to the unions, I will at least get something of a pension and not have to rely only on Social Security.

Randy Foreback

Windber



Warehouse club would be welcomed

I am writing in response to “New businesses will force out existing ones” on June 12 by Kathy Yingling. I agree that we should utilize existing space available for new shopping in the Johnstown area.

I would like to see a Sam’s Club, Costco or Kohl’s come to this area but think existing space probably would not hold those types of stores.

I was encouraged by the plans of a Florida developer on June 14 in The Tribune-Democrat. It appears the proposed site is large enough to accommodate such stores.

I have been following the controversy regarding the Richland school property and see this proposal as a way of creating new shopping while avoiding the issues of safety for the school children of Richland as well as avoiding added noise and congestion to that area.

I am hoping this site is developed and a warehouse club comes to town.

Kathy Yingling

Johnstown

When will Congress develop backbone?

Recently I sent a letter to my representatives in Congress about President Obama’s recent announcement to skirt our immigration laws by legalizing illegal aliens and allowing illegal aliens to have work permits.

I asked my lawmakers why there was a need for Congress if they allow the president to make his own laws and refuse to uphold the laws that are already in place?

I asked them why, even when they threaten a contempt of Congress order on the justice department for information about the “Fast and Furious” gun deal to the drug cartels, they allow the president to laugh in their faces?

Why have a Congress? Will our lawmakers respond or are they still sleeping?

Ron Kroskie

Ebensburg



Liberals’ interpretation of Bible is wrong

Liberals are open-minded? I say they lack common sense and morals.

Liberal logic says that killing a baby in the womb, crippling future generations with enormous debts, allowing illegal immigrants to vote, having cross-dressers use opposite-gender restrooms and creating immoral entertainment are great.

Liberals rely on science? Laughable since they consider as undeniable the unproved theories of Darwinism, global warming and the existence of a gay gene.

Worst is when ultra-liberals misrepresent Scripture.

Jesus was a liberal because he had long hair and socialized with all kinds of people? Nonsense. Jesus said he came to the ill as a physician, offering them healing for their brokenness. They weren’t to have pride in their sinfulness. He said, “Repent!”

He loved people liberally but was conservative in teaching about the consequences of sin and the need to obey.

Jesus loved unconditionally? Wrong. The phrase “unconditional love” does not exist in Scripture. Jesus preached more than 100 “conditional” teachings for his followers.

Jesus did not mention homosexuality, so he supported it? Absurd. By that logic, bestiality, using cocaine and wife-swapping must be OK as well since Jesus did not speak about them.

While only God can judge a person, Christians are to discern moral behavior.

Every positive biblical sexual reference is between married males and females.

Jews and Christians knew that homosexual practice was not permitted, as the New Testament clearly shows. This separated early Christians from the immoral Roman society.

If homosexuality were acceptable, Jesus would have corrected Scripture. He didn’t.

Gale Bala

Johnstown



Is beer really needed at Thunder event?

As I vacation in California, I check The Tribune-Democrat online daily.

I noted the readers’ survey question regarding the “outsourcing” of beer sales at the upcoming Thunder in the Valley event.

Can someone please explain why there needs to be any beer sales at this family event? If any of us would walk the city streets with a beer in our hand a week after Thunder, we would surely be cited or arrested.

Robert Truscello

Johnstown



Voter IDs would eliminate fraud

I am in complete agreement with the Readers’ Forum letter on May 31 by Betty and Paul Amigh, “Objections to photo IDs make no sense,” where they strongly supported voter ID in Pennsylvania.

Having worked in Montgomery County actively at the polls for many years, I, too, see the necessity of this registration, particularly since we have a most important presidential election coming up in November.

What better way to prevent voter fraud than having to produce an ID?

While there are those in the Obama camp who would call this an attempt to discourage voting, I would hope it would have the opposite effect.

While we are at it, wouldn’t it be good to stop the horrendous welfare and insurance fraud?

Joyce Boring

Johnstown

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