— I applaud U.S. Rep. Mark Critz for taking a stance and voting against repeal of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, which the opposition refers to as ObamaCare.

On Jan. 1, new benefits for senior citizens kicked in. Seniors who fall into the Medicare doughnut hole now get 50 percent discount on brand name drugs and    7 percent on generic drugs.

Another new benefit is that Medicare beneficiaries will get free preventive screenings with no co-pays. These include: Annual checkups, flu shots, diabetes and cancer screenings, colonoscopies and several other procedures.

Young adults, such as college students, and those who work in places where there is no plan, can stay on their parents’ health plan until they are 26.

You can easily see why it wasn’t a tough decision for Critz to vote against the repeal. We all share the benefits, whether we are Democrats, Republicans, independents or tea partyers.

Henry E. Ball

President, Johnstown Chapter 15-4

Steelworkers Organization of Active Retirees



Corbett action hurts the working class

I would like to congratulate the new governor for taking only weeks to disband adultBasic Blue Cross coverage for the working-class people of Pennsylvania, citing that Ed Rendell had spent money the state didn’t have to fund this program.

As 42,000 more folks lose their medical coverage, along with the nation’s 46 million or so who are not insured, it boggles my mind as to why the Republican Party and some of the scared Democrats, who cave into these people, want to cut social programs people need now more than ever – just to be “fiscally conservative.”

I know that cutting the deficit is important, but I also know that people need help right now.

So, what if the deficit is high? It’s always been high, no matter who is in office.

When President Reagan was in office, the deficit tripled. The unemployment rate was high, but I didn’t hear a lot of complaining then.

Spend money on our infrastructure and help us citizens first.

The shame of it all is that the Republican Party will cut and save money, only for it to then go to their fat-cat buddies who ship jobs overseas, and to Big Business as usual. 

As usual, little folks suffer.

The pity of it all is that the electorate voted for these misfits in mid-term elections.

What webs we weave.

I’ll sit back and watch America implode with these tea partyers and misfits.

Joe G. Alaimo

Westmont Borough



Rising costs of living squeezing seniors

In 2010 and 2011, there were no Social Security cost-of-living adjustments for seniors and other eligible recipients.

A deregulation of electricity charges added additional expense for all to pay.

The cost of comfortably heating a home in this area, whether it be by oil, natural gas, wood, electricity or coal, has skyrocketed, yet another hardship.

Finally, the ever-increasing cost of gasoline has nearly eliminated all-but-necessary vehicle driving.

Seniors and other citizens have been just about squeezed dry.

Andrew Golob

Davidsville



When will we protect our most innocent?

Does life begin when you are old enough to take care of yourself?

Does it begin when you are born?

Does it begin at three months in the womb?

No, life begins when man and woman join to create another life. Life begins at conception.

Anyone reading this who doesn’t believe that life begins at conception, when do you believe it begins? Because without conception, there is no life.

Death can be of natural causes, accidents, war, terrorism, murder or government-approved murder.

Abortion is government-approved first-degree murder, as it is premeditated by the person seeking it and the person performing it.

I challenge the president, all of our other elected representatives and the public to end the murder of the most innocent of our citizens.

Francis Holtz

Hastings



‘Homelands’ getting raves in Carolinas, too

I have received my copy of the “Homelands” book and think it is great.

I also had one sent to my brother in South Carolina, and he called to tell me that he and his family also believe it is a wonderful book.

He said to say thank-you to The Tribune-Democrat for publishing this book.

Florence Strushensky

Johnstown



Johnstown sewage bill discrepancy baffling

On Feb. 15, Peggy Schmalz wrote that in one month she paid a $26 water bill and a $38 sewage bill (“Flushing money down the drain”).

For December, I paid $12.56 for water and $38.74 for sewage.

Schmalz is using a lot more water than I am; so a question to the sewer authority: Why is my sewage bill practically the same as Schmalz’s?

Janet Ahlborn

Johnstown



Allegheny cross issue troubles Christian

I read the Feb. 10 article on The Tribune-Democrat’s website about the Baldwin, Allegheny County, man who was being asked by a neighbor to remove a 24-foot illuminated cross he had erected in his front yard.

I do believe this still is a free nation, founded on religious principles.

If the man were a Muslim, would he be asked to remove an Islamic flag?

As a Christian, I find this to be a disgrace to those of us who believe in freedom of religion.

As for me and my house, we stand for God.

Joyce McNulty

Henderson, Nev., formerly of St. Michael