New word in vocabulary
We are suddenly hearing a lot about “affordability.” Is this a new word? I don’t recall hearing it when Joe Biden caused over 20 percent inflation that hurt so many seniors.
People seem to think President Trump has a magic wand and can wave away high prices.
When prices go up, wages soon follow. A classic “wage-price spiral.” I learned that in economics. I guess the media don’t study economics.
This is why that pizza or bakery cake costs so much. Mostly labor costs. If we want those prices to go back down 20%, will our workers be willing to give back recent wage increases? Fat chance.
Prices may come down somewhat due to cheaper oil and diesel fuel prices. Plastics will be cheaper. Shipping to retail stores will be cheaper. Your gas is already cheaper.
And AI will reduce prices through productivity in coming years, maybe by a lot — but not right away. We need to live wiser now.
Housing prices are tough and require sacrifice. This is not new. When I bought my NE home in 1980, mortgage rates were as high as 18 percent. I sacrificed to own a home.
I have two suggestions for our whiny but often do-nothing political class.
First, follow through on the Amazon price-fixing accusations. Amazon is said to forbid its suppliers from offering a lower price elsewhere. That hurts us all. Skip the Amazon donations, Congress, and fight for the consumer.
Second, we do need to lower grocery prices. Provide sensible farm subsidies so that “whole” food prices can be lower. Take the funding from the ridiculous Medicaid fraud recipients.
As for the rest of us, stop buying all that junk from China. And stop stuffing chips and sugar cookies down that piehole. Highly processed food is not healthy, and it costs your budget more than healthy foods.
Richard Iaconelli
Rhawnhurst
Fund the DHS
In May 1974, the Nixon administration proposed a $266 million increase in military aid for South Vietnam, which the U.S. Senate rejected in a 43-38 vote.
As a prominent anti-war voice in the Senate, Sen. Edward (Ted) Kennedy was the leading architect to end the military assistance to South Vietnam.
And what eventually followed was the topple of Saigon to the invading communists, as North Vietnamese tanks crashed through the gates of the Presidential Palace, and thus ending the war, as the last of the American troops pulled out in helicopters.
And as of today, we have Democratic-led states pushing against President Trump’s immigration crackdown. Ten states, all led by Democrats, now have statewide policies prohibiting law enforcement officers, or ICE, from carrying out deportations of illegals.
Furthermore, we have the majority of the Democrats in Congress who want to abolish, dismantle and defund Homeland Security all together, especially now when America is facing terroristic threats with an attack in Austin, Texas by a radical extremist.
Shows you how much these members of Congress care for the safety of the American people as they sat in silent defiance while some vocally pushed back on Trump’s stance on immigration as well as their dislike for ICE during his State of the Union address.
Just like Sen. Kennedy’s defiance of aid to the people of South Vietnam, these Democrats are holding up funding for ICE. They would rather have our America topple just like Saigon through their acceptance of open borders, influx of illegals, criminals, extremists and the total cancellation of the much-needed DHS for the security of our homeland.
Al Ulus
Somerton
Grandstanding
More grandstanding by Brendan Boyle, introducing a bill to require the slavery-related displays removed from President’s House by the Trump administration to be permanently restored. Pandering to a voting bloc. All of sudden he is concerned with history being taken down. Where was he when they were taking down statues, renaming military bases and renaming buildings? He was probably right there at the front of the line with the rest of Democrats.
Richard Donofry
East Torresdale
Write in Mastriano for governor
As Pennsylvania approaches the May 19 primary, many Republican voters are increasingly frustrated with the early endorsement from the PA GOP and how the process is being handled.
Primaries exist so voters can choose their nominee. They are meant to allow competition and debate before the party unifies for the general election. When party leadership endorses a candidate early, it signals that the decision has already been made, discourages challengers from entering the race and limits voters’ ability to evaluate their options.
This frustration is not new. In the last gubernatorial primary, Republican voters clearly chose Doug Mastriano as their nominee, yet many felt party leadership failed to fully support the candidate voters selected. When voters participate in good faith and their choice is not backed, trust erodes.
Because of this pattern, a grassroots write-in campaign has emerged during this primary as a way for voters to send a message to the Pennsylvania Republican Party. Many Republicans plan to write in Doug Mastriano for the gubernatorial primary — not as an act of division, but as a statement that voter choice should come before party pressure.
Primary votes remain within the party and do not help the opposing party. Wanting a real primary or supporting a write-in is participation, not sabotage.
Unity should come after voters decide — not before.
Let candidates run. Let voters choose. Then the party can unify.
Ernie Springer
Willow Street, Lancaster County
