Mary Randolph

Valencia, Pa.

With all the opportunities to keep up with the issues, it’s disturbing that so many people are unaware of the facts.

Pennsylvania Republican Senate candidate Dave McCormick laments that “crime is up and wages are down.” In fact, it’s the exact opposite. Recent FBI statistics show violent crime in fourth quarter 2023 down 6% from fourth quarter 2022.

Unemployment is at a 50 year low, manufacturing jobs have increased, the stock market is at an all-time high, the inflation rate (seriously high two years ago as a consequence of COVID) has dropped to below 3% and our real GDP growth rate is now a very healthy 3.40%. But we hear people constantly blaming the Biden Administration for our “bad” economy. How can they not know how good things actually are?

With all the daily news about violent storms, record heat waves and devastating wildfires, how can people not know about the degradation of our climate and environment? Or do they somehow just not care?

With all the documentation of Donald Trump’s history of business failures, why do so many people still believe him to be a business genius?

With the publication of the MAGA Republicans’ frightening intentions for a second Trump Administration, via the Project 2025 Report, why are so few people concerned about the plans to scuttle our democracy?

An electorate that’s aware of what’s going on is essential for good government and a stable society. Our collective awareness is woefully lacking.