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Letters to the editor

Checks and balances

Jim Newton Itasca When a coronavirus type event is eventually resolved, health and government officials review their notes to see how we can do better next time. I’m not sure that happened after COVID part I. The coronavirus aftermath would have been an opportune time to review the “checks and balances” theory, too. The White House could use a refresher, especially on the function and idea behind independent departments like the Federal Reserve and National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. President Trump has criticized Fed Chairman Jerome Powell, but he has ...

The challenges we face extend beyond the BBB

Robert H. Workman Lock Haven Let me begin with a Letter to the Editor by Arthur Keller in The Express, dated August 2, 2025. Dear Sir. No, the sky is not falling. The Big Beautiful Bill “BBB” is not a BBB. Biggest tax breaks to the wealthy, of course. But that is not the biggest problem facing our great country. No, it’s what none of you speak of. 1. Taking over all branches of government. Making them do his bidding, ignoring our laws and Constitution. This includes Congress, our federal judges and, of course, our Supreme Court. 2. Taking over our education system in ...

Response to K. Johnson about my ‘deranged ranting’

Paul Nelson Tonawanda, NY (Formerly of Lock Haven) Anyone who believes Donald Trump will willingly leave office, as specified by the Constitution, is deranged — not me. He has shown no concern for the law or the Constitution, whatsoever. Just last week, he signed an Executive Order outlawing mental illness and mental disabilities. Trump —or possibly more specifically Stephen Miller — is following the same exact playbook used by Hitler, Goebbels and the Nazi Party. You see, Hitler slaughtered over 250,000 mentally challenged Germans before turning to Jews. Perhaps Mr. ...

Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill (BBB) critics

Arthur Keller Beavertown No matter what President Trump does the Democrats go about shouting “the sky is falling” and the Big Beautiful Bill is no exception. I could write a long rebuttal, but it would not change anyone’s mind, so I submitted just a few points. The BBB invests in America’s future providing benefits for the rich, the middle class and low-income families, all while rebuilding our military making us the greatest nation in the world. It includes $9B for Artic security, a historic $25B for the U.S. Coast Guard to combat drugs and improve maritime security, ...

New budget shreds services, undermines public good

George Polycranos Port Matilda Americans understand that adversity can strike anyone at any time—and our instinct is to support our neighbors in times of need. So how can our elected officials justify a budget bill that threatens the security of countless families, while further enriching those already at the top? This isn’t just bad policy, it’s a moral failing. Despite overwhelming public disapproval of Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill, Republicans were determined to steal from the most vulnerable Americans in order to pass a bill giving even greater power and wealth to the ...

Who does GT Thompson work for?

Denise Davidson Lewisburg On Monday afternoon, I called the Washington, D.C. office of Congressman G.T. Thompson. I asked the person who answered the phone for Thompson’s position on a particular issue. The staff member told me he was unable to share the congressman’s thoughts on issues. This was surprising and I asked to speak with another staff member (assuming that the person answering the call was an intern). He repeated his comment. I remarked that sharing their positions seems to be what the congressman and his staff are paid to do. Then, I asked for the staffer’s name, ...