Letters to the Editor for Oct. 30

Matt McCullough for state senate

We need new leadership in Harrisburg. Let me rephrase that: we need leadership period in Harrisburg because it’s been noticeably absent in our fair commonwealth. Self-serving politicians like Steve Santarsiero use their influence to work the system for their own benefit.

The grocery and gasoline bills increase weekly as our stock portfolios tank. Meanwhile, Senator Santarsiero is busy serving the needs of the Bucks County Democratic Committee rather than his constituents in Bucks County. After several years, this party animal needs to go. We need new blood, a new attitude, and a new face to represent the people of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

That’s why I’m voting for Matt McCullough on Nov. 8. As a businessman, Matt understands what we need to do to address our troubled economy. As a healthcare professional, he recognizes which policies will effectively balance community concerns against individual liberties. Importantly: Matt is not a career politician at the beck and call of special interest groups like the ones funding Santarsiero's campaign. Matt doesn't claim to have all the answers, but he is intelligent and industrious enough to work hard to find them.

We need leadership in Harrisburg. It’s time for fresh faces, new perspectives, and servant leadership that reflects the ideals of this country. We need Matt McCullough.

Rosanne C. Cowen

Newtown Township

We need a new residency requirement for candidates

I am so tired of people moving to PA for the sole purpose of running for Congress from our Commonwealth.

Brian Fitzpatrick moved here from California to run for his brother’s seat in the House, and won, probably because of name recognition.

Mehmet Oz moved here from New Jersey, and hopes to win based again on name recognition.

Perhaps Pennsylvania should consider a law requiring anyone who wants to run for public office — federal or state from Pennsylvania must have been a resident of the commonwealth for a specific length of time. Perhaps two years? How else could someone really have any knowledge of our commonwealth?

Sara Pollock

Middletown

Fetterman a true Pennsylvanian

Responding to a guest opinion (Oct. 9) the author says John Fetterman deliberately created a narrative to be from Pennsylvania and criticizes Fetterman for getting an education. But did John Fetterman not live in the town of Braddock and was the mayor of that town?

I say John Fetterman has a better right to claim Pennsylvania as home than cardiac doctor Oz. Yes, the tragedy of the drug epidemic in areas is heartbreaking and you want to scream "why can’t we come up with a solution?". I have a belief that John Fetterman will work to find one.

Bernadette Dyer

Warminster

Vote down fascism Nov. 8

My wife and I recently returned from a trip to Europe, including Normandy. We visited the American Cemetery and walked on Omaha Beach.

I was just over three years old on D-Day. If we had not succeeded in freeing Europe from Hitler’s fascism I would have grown up in an entirely different world.

Today we see creeping fascism across the globe, mostly from people who were not alive during that era and have no memory of it.

Much of this has been endorsed by our former president. We are seeing conspiracy theories, violent demonstrations, book banning, intolerance and hate. Some politicians are trying to control who is able to vote.

Democracy is worth fighting for. Fascism must be opposed.

Please vote this fall.

Bill Brosius

Telford

How does Oz really feel about abortion?

Abortion is murder and everyone should be against it, however Republican Senate candidate Mehmet Oz only called it "murder" because he wants the Catholic vote. How does he really feel?

Robert W. Flowers

Richboro

Vote Democrat if you want more failure

As Joe Friday was credited with saying, "Just the facts, Ma'am." Let's go over the facts.

Inflation is at a 40-year high. Food, fuel and rent are exploding and are out of control. Gas prices are up 60% since Joe Biden took office. Crime is up by double digits across the country. As of July 9, 750 illegal immigrants have died trying to cross the border — 300% increase from 2018.

We are in a recession with two consecutive quarters of negative GDP.

We are in a proxy war with Russia. According to our President, "the risk of nuclear Armageddon is at the highest level since 1962". The current administration is throwing our country under the bus to combat climate change. Gas, home heating fuel and so on are sky high and going higher.

You can debate climate change and how to combat it until the cows come home, but abandoning fossil fuels first and trying to replace with unproven sustainable "green" energy is not only foolish but dangerous.

The withdrawal in Afghanistan resulted in the deaths of 13 Americans and thousands of Afghanis.

All are grotesque failures but Biden has not held anyone to account.

If you vote Democrat, that means you want more of the above. If you vote Democrat, you are O.K. with the direction of this country.

Scott McFarlane

Newtown

Democracy is on the line this November

This year, we have candidates up and down the ballot who are part of a movement to weaken our democracy. The Republican candidate for governor — Doug Mastriano — supported the rampant lies about the 2020 election, shared misinformation that has shaken the foundations of our republic, put the lives of law enforcement at risk, and encouraged others to believe falsehoods before later condemning the insurrection because it was politically expedient. We cannot accept this behavior as normal and as just another part of our electoral process. It is a threat to our very way of life.

Here in our own community, the Republican candidate for state representative in the 61st Legislative District (Jessie Bradica) is seemingly cut from the same cloth. She was in Washington D.C. on Jan. 6, 2020. In fact, she made a picture taken at the insurrection her Facebook cover photo on Jan. 8, 2020, two days after we all saw the violence in our Capitol.

Democracy is on the line this November. So when you vote on or before Nov. 8, remember exactly what is at stake.

Margaret Burke

Upper Gwynedd

Are the Democrats too Liberal?

Why do some people think the Democrats are just too liberal?

Dems want to negotiate for lower prescription drug prices to make them more affordable for everyone. Is that too liberal?

Dems want to ensure equal rights and decision making for women including reproductive rights, healthcare decisions, that will greatly affect employment and economic opportunity. Is that too liberal?

Dems believe the cost of ignoring the environment is way too high, not only to our kids’ futures, but to our wallets. We all feel the impact of extreme weather conditions like flood, draught, hurricanes and increasing heating and cooling bills. Is that too liberal?

Dems want a strong economy with economic progress for everyone, not just the ultrawealthy 1%. Dems want the wealthy to pay their fair share of taxes to invest in our country’s future. Is that too liberal?

Dems want true equality for all, where everyone, not just white and straight people, deserves respect and basic rights and protections. Is that too liberal?

Dems want to reduce gun violence through stronger gun safety and responsible gun ownership legislation. This is key to reduce crime and put teeth into supporting our police and protecting innocent people, including our children. Is that too liberal?

Dems support Medicare and Social Security. Social Security is your money. Social Security and Medicare are the safety nets to ensure that we have income and healthcare in our older years. Is that too liberal?

If you think our country will be in a better place with these “liberal" ideas make sure you vote on Nov. 8th.

Bonnie Chang

Doylestown

This article originally appeared on The Intelligencer: Letters to the Editor for Oct. 30