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Writer says Toomey fails to serve all constituents
Our U.S. senator from Pennsylvania, Pat Toomey, made statements that the debt ceiling is not a big deal. His suggestion was the government could pay Social Security and military payroll – apparently two of his favorites.
Really? Is that a responsible approach? Has he been listening to the economic forecast concerning the impact of defaulting on our financial obligations? Do we really want to do this?
I am getting tired of this simplistic and fantasy-filled view of the world. This anti-government rhetoric. What does he dislike? The FBI, the National Weather Service, the Forest Service rangers who fight wildfires, the National Institutes of Health, retired federal employees who spent their careers serving the public?
This is not a rational, adult approach. This is someone who seemingly is serving a narrow segment of our society. As a retired public servant, I resent deeply his remarks.
Gifford Pinchot, one of Northeastern Pennsylvania’s greatest public servants and a lifelong Republican, championed the interests of the common man (as he called the everyday person in Pennsylvania) against the evils of “concentrated wealth.” It is a tragedy that ideologically driven individuals such as Sen. Toomey are calling the shots.
What about the rest of us? What about those who go to work every day, or are not financial magnates, corporate big shots or international corporations? Union workers are not the enemy. Public workers, schoolteachers and clean-air regulators are not the enemy. We are Americans.
Sen. Toomey, you might have been elected by a narrow margin of those who voted. You might think you need only to serve your “base.”
I did not vote for you, but you represent me now that you are my senator. Start doing your homework and act like a grownup.
Edgar Brannon
Milford
Reader wants Mass for shut-ins restored
Despite financial problems in the Catholic Church, churches are open Saturday and Sunday for people who can drive and walk. Why take Catholic Mass off regular television on weekends for shut-ins and people in nursing homes?
It was slotted once on Saturday afternoon and once on Sunday – with each time slot different. Taking it off completely just isn’t fair to people who have a dire need for Mass service – a precious 30 minutes of deep prayer, time with their Creator.
I’m sure Catholics would donate to any church that would sponsor Mass for shut-ins.
Joseph DeLucco Jr.
Wilkes-Barre
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