This is in response to Gov. Ed Rendell’s comments on WJAC news that he is likely to lay off 2,000 or so state workers if the budget does not go his way.
Why do our bigger companies do this?
They start at the bottom of the payroll and never at the top. Look at Circuit City. It laid off thousands (who made the money) and kept the top executives who bled the company of money. GM is another example: It laid off thousands who make the products and kept the top executives who bleed the money.
I read articles that stated we have 535 politicians in Harrisburg. I also have learned that some of them could make up to or more than $1 million a year. Why do we need so many politicians in Harrisburg to bleed money from us taxpayers? The state could reduce the number of politicians by 50 percent and it would save billions. The money saved could go wherever.
Most of the companies are no longer existing or in big trouble.
If Pennsylvania does not do the same, it is in big trouble. So we should just turn over the money we make so the government can operate? Other states (California) are like us. If you cut yourself, you don’t put a bandage on another part of the body; you put it on the wound.
Rendell thinks that laying off 2,000 or so employees is going to help. I don’t think so.
Richard Lloyd
Johnstown
Should we be grateful for not getting paid?
I am a state worker. I know that most do not sympathize with me and my co-workers. However, I feel compelled to express my feelings on the lack of a budget.
Gov. Ed Rendell has said things that make it sound as if we should be grateful while not getting paid – like him getting us 0 percent to low-interest loans up to $15,000. The great credit union that we have will give those who qualify $1,000 for each pay that we miss at 0 percent interest. I’m not sure where the $15,000 comes into play unless we are going to miss 15 paychecks. The low-interest loans are at banks that mostly are not local.
Employees who do receive low-interest loans will have interest to pay back, and we will probably receive a lump-sum check when the time comes and will receive less due to the tax rate being higher. In the end, this is costing all of us money.
Rendell also said that 60 percent of us got a loan. How does he know that? I never saw a survey.
At a Somerset informational picket, a man stopped and yelled that we just want raises, and “Who will pay for that?”
Sir, please pay attention to the news – there are thousands of us just asking for our paychecks and nothing more.
By the way, my husband also works for the state and we have three kids.
I don’t think I can help erect that statue of Rendell because I just can’t afford it right now.
Stacy L. Orner
Cairnbrook
In the ’60s, kids played sports for fun
During the paying of respects to a departed friend from my youth, conversations were of memories of the past.
One conversation was about the game of baseball. Notices were placed in local grocery stores inviting all who were interested. If you showed up with a baseball glove, you were on the team; there were no try-outs. We all got hats and shirts and became instant big-leaguers.
Being die-hard Roberto Clemente-Pittsburgh Pirates fans of the ’60s, we all hated the New York Yankees but wanted to be like Mickey Mantle.
Everybody got to practice hitting, fielding, running and throwing because, when it came to game day, everybody played.
Our coaches would field the best players at the start, but in the late innings, whether winning by one run or losing by 10 runs, bench players took the field.
To our coaches, winning wasn’t everything. They knew the less-talented players would be lost. They gave everybody a chance to play the game, to be part of a team, to learn to rely on each other and have a good time.
Today, it has become an adult sport, in some cases for the benefits, prestige and rewards of the coaches. The less-talented are sidelined, lost and walk away from the game and all of its benefits.
Thanks to the likes of Johnny Chromy, Moose Barkley, Tweet Drugo, Mooney Vogel, Charlie Mastervich and Mr. Amenti, we kids from Daisytown-Cover Hill played baseball and had a good time.
May you rest in peace, Sammy.
Andy Dobrota
Johnstown
Gaming has positive impact on Pa.
Allow me to address some of Natalie Rogol’s claims regarding slots gaming in Pennsylvania (“Pennsylvania’s Gambling Addiction,” July 16).
For the second consecutive year, $613 million in general property tax relief has been delivered to homeowners across Pennsylvania from slot revenues. The average household will receive about $200 in property tax relief this year – relief it would not have gotten otherwise.
With only half of the state’s casinos open, we are well on track to reach and exceed the promised $1 billion in property tax relief annually.
Don’t forget that slots gaming also allowed for the unprecedented expansion of the state’s property tax/rent rebate program. As a result, an estimated 578,000 seniors will benefit this year, compared with 310,000 before the expansion.
And when general property tax relief combines with property tax rebates, about 110,000 senior homeowners will have their school property taxes completely eliminated this year.
Slots gaming has also created thousands of new family-sustaining jobs at the casinos, along with construction jobs, re-energized the state’s horse-racing industry and injected revenues into the counties and municipalities that host these facilities.
Gaming has had a significant, positive impact in Pennsylvania.
Stephen H. Stetler
Secretary of Revenue, Harrisburg
There are different types of love
In response to the Readers’ Forum letter by Dane Nesbella on July 15 (“Homosexual ‘rights’ have no basis”): I respect opinions, but closed-minded individuals neglect to consider that love holds no boundaries. Love – whether it be between a man and woman, two men or two women – cannot be judged by those who have a narrow view. Those who understand the concept realize there are different types of love.
There is love between a mother and father toward children, parents, sisters, brothers, family and friends. We choose to love our friends for who they are as individuals, how they treat us, and how they love us. Who is to say it’s wrong or unholy to love an individual who has taken the time to return love unconditionally because that person is an individual with a soul and with a right to exist. Closed-minded individuals neglect to look at things that are loved.
Looking at the Bible, what Jesus taught was love. Love is the greatest universal aspect. Love is why God put us on this planet. I find it sad there are those who cannot love, and I say to them, I send you love hoping someday as individuals you will realize that what set Jesus apart from others was that he loved unconditionally.
That’s why he was around beggars and prostitutes.
If all people could do the same, we would not have the misery we have in the world.
John A. DeBartola
Johnstown
We all will answer for our decisions
After reading several letters recently on the subject of homosexual activity, let us be reminded that: “God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)
It is written in Leviticus 18:22, “A male shall not lie with another male as one lies with a female, it is an abomination.”
Romans 1:26-27, “Women and men due to degrading passions exchanged the natural function for which is unnatural; men with men committing indecent acts.”
In John 8:7, Jesus said, “He who is without sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone.”
Romans 3:23, “All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.”
Sin is sin, whether it be lying, cheating, stealing, immoral acts or murder. Jesus tells us in Luke 13:3, “Unless you repent, you will all perish.”
Let’s not point fingers or judge. We all have need of the grace of God and a savior. We must all answer for our own choices and decisions.
May God’s mercy and blessings be to all.
Doris Adams
Windber
Sexual sin described in plain English
I wish to reply to a letter written by Alyssa C. Goisovich on July 22 (“We will all face judgment day”).
She does not know the Bible as well as she thinks. When others say what the word of God says, it is not hate speech.
If she will read Genesis 19:1-27 and I Corinthians 6:9-10, 15-20 in the New Living Translation, she will see in plain English what God has to say about all sexual sin.
Patricia Hoffman
Ebensburg
