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Letters to the Editor

We can, should rein in our federal spending

DEAR EDITOR: In 1960, Republican President Dwight D. Eisenhower asked Congress to raise the federal debt ceiling. By fall 2025, 78 debt-ceiling increases and $37 trillion in debt later, Congress will soon be asked to raise it yet again. Horrific consequences come from our executive and legislative branches, from Eisenhower to Donald Trump, continuing to “kick the debt can” down the road. No solutions offered. Two recent national articles have sounded an alarm: the Social Security Trust Fund is projected to run out of money (The Hill, Aug. 6), triggering a mandatory 23% cut in ...

Tilting the scales of justice in Columbiana

DEAR EDITOR: The Columbiana County Board of Elections certified petitions of candidacy, including those that after lawful examination, passed. However, other filings were having some very unorthodox handling and outcomes. Among them was a petition filed for fiscal officer in Unity Township. This invalidated, fatally flawed petition filing was by my now-opponent in the same race. Having been appointed to the position in December 2024, Ohio Revised Code Election Law requires this person to run in the Nov. 4 General Election. As reported, the petition failed in requirements long ...

Union representation can help the underpaid

DEAR EDITOR: The Pennsylvania Republicans want to raise the minimum wage from $7.25 to $11 in 2028. For a 40-hour work week, that would be $22,880 a year before all required deductions. It tells me that greedy employers are paying employees $11 per hour now or a smidgen more in our 2025 economy. The Pennsylvania Republicans say $11 per hour is a “good start.” Can the Pennsylvania Republicans show consumers where all the “starter stores” are located? All American workers need to unite and organize, and join any American labor union. It’s your only path into the ...

Why shouldn’t priests be allowed to marry?

DEAR EDITOR: In 1984 I wrote this letter to the Catholic Exponent. I found it to be prophetic. An article “Priest shortage helps spur growth of lay ministries” may lead readers to think that the priest shortage does not have detrimental consequences on parish life. One must consider that the enrollment in seminaries has dropped two-thirds from 1964 to 1984. One priest of every three priests under the age of 50 during this same period has resigned to marry. (In my 1975 ordination class of 10 men, only one continues to be a priest. Five have died. Two left to marry. Two were expelled ...

Sound off!

Trump continues to channel Neville Chamberlain by appeasing Putin. As 47 couldn’t meet his “I will end the war in one day” promise, he’s moving to a piecemeal giveaway of what is not his to give. Domestically, he must have been distracted as he restarted his anti-voting machine rant. Probably missed his Newsmax friends paying up their $64 million fine for libeling a manufacturer of those machines when he lost in 2020. When you mislead or lie a lot, it’s tough keeping track of the fact checks on your deception. — Canfield It is sad that we have a president so shallow that ...

Don’t let health care tax credits expire

DEAR EDITOR: As a proud Republican, a lifelong Ohioan and an active member of my local Chamber of Commerce, I was proud to see Congress pass the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. It was a major win for small business owners, working families and rural communities. But that win could be short-lived if Congress doesn’t act soon to renew critical health care tax credits set to expire at the end of this year. These premium tax credits (PTCs) help millions of Americans afford health insurance on the individual market. That includes self-employed folks, farmers, gig workers and folks who work ...