Free will and abortion
Regarding the article “Non-religious voters wield clout, tilt heavily Democratic” (Dec. 4, TribLIVE): I am a retired nurse who once had the unfortunate privilege of carrying a much too large aborted, macerated baby to the morgue of my hospital. It was really awful. But even having been raised Catholic, I still voted Democratic. Why?
When Roe v. Wade was the law of the land, no one was forced to have an abortion. I am thankful that Congress will likely codify abortion rights. Free will and conscience would rule the day.
Conversely, with many states looking to criminalize abortions, a medically unsound black market will certainly emerge, and desperate women will begin to suffer death or sterilization as they take things into their own hands. While mothers, doctors, nurses and institutions, in violation of no abortion laws, are prosecuted, many women in heartwrenching situations would get no help.
Do you really want to make a mother carry a baby with anencephaly to term? Who will adopt or care for a crack-addicted baby of a raped 12-year-old or the child of a mentally disabled 11-year-old victimized by institutional rape? How about the mother of five with a complete placenta previa? Do you really want to risk her dying and leaving five orphans? And how much will you chip in from your 401(k) or IRA to care for these babies, and who will love them?
God gave us all a free will to choose right over wrong. If you think it works for guns, it should work for abortions.
Linda Kramer
Harrison
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The debt-ridden wouldn’t make good soldiers
Regarding the letter “How about a GI Bill to help with student debt?” (Dec. 11, TribLIVE): First of all, I’m not too sure these people owing student debt would actually be a welcomed addition to the military. They already exhibited a lack of responsibility and more than likely wouldn’t make it through boot camp.
Have you taken a look at the kids themselves? This would be a major culture shock to them, many of whom would think it’s not fair to put them through such torture just to pay a loan back. It would not work because of the logistics. These children have been coddled all their lives; therefore, I wouldn’t expect this to work, nor would I want them beside me in a crisis.
Jim Russell
Frazer
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Biden must do duty to secure border
Well, President Biden, I really don’t care whether you go to the border or not. But I do care that you finally do your sworn duty to stop the chaos of illegals swarming through our borders, slow the record fentanyl coming into our country and stop the human trafficking by the cartels — all record numbers in your two years.
William R. Iski
Penn Township, Westmoreland County
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Secession? What if that doesn’t work?
John T. Watson had an interesting take on elections in his letter “Disenfranchised Pa. counties should secede” (Dec. 6, TribLIVE).
He feels that the high-population counties in Pennsylvania such as Allegheny and Philadelphia vote for predominantly Democratic candidates and therefore have an untoward influence on elections.
To rectify this problem, he suggests that “all the counties whose citizens’ votes have no effect in who is elected should secede from Pennsylvania and form a 51st state where everyone’s vote will count … .”
My only question is, if this “new and free 51st state” does not elect candidates to Watson’s liking, will he then introduce a proposal for a new and free 52nd state and thereby secede from the former secession?
Richard Dulemba
Washington Township, Westmoreland County
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Fossil fuels are not the enemy
An electric car appears cleaner and greener today, but it will not help the environment for years to come.
All renewable energy produced is used. Your electric utility must, by law, buy all renewable energy. Any increase in demand (your car or new electric stove) will be met by conventional power sources. Though happening elsewhere, the environmental impact is real and roughly the same as a standard car.
The electric car may have a slight operating advantage but requires years of operation before offsetting considerable up-front impact of batteries. When you consider electrical transmission and battery charging losses, the overall impact is likely negative.
There is hope for the future. The technology is not mature and needs to evolve further. Instead of rushing to buy cars, we need to spur development of better batteries, solar cells and windmills. Industry needs to invest in base-load power sources and distribution systems. Make green energy economical (without government incentives), and fossil fuel use will decline. Just remember, you cannot legislate (or executive order) progress.
For the present, we should reduce energy consumption. Home solar cells and hybrid cars make some sense, but be wary of the up-front cost and impact and sales pitches.
Fossil fuels are not the enemy. Abundant economical energy is needed to fund the bridge to green energy. High fuel prices will create hardships, increase conversion costs and enrich Russians, Iranians and Venezuelans.
Don’t burn our bridges, and especially those we are crossing.
Bruce M. Argall
Greensburg
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If Trump won’t abide by Constitution, how can he be president?
How could people who call themselves “Americans” vote for an ex-president who refuses to admit that he lost the last election and calls for the termination of all rules, regulations and articles, even those found in the Constitution? You can’t vote for him. How can he run for president if he does not abide by the Constitution?
Don Boland
Leechburg
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The late Tony DeLuca’s win is absurd
Being in politics was never meant to be a career. Tony DeLuca and his fans took that to new heights. We were all reminded of his win again despite the fact that he had already died. I already have questions about the mail-in voting process and people not being very knowledgeable of who they are voting for, but come on.
Anybody who voted for him should never be allowed to vote again. Dead people casting votes is unbelievable. But a dead person winning an election is unfathomable.
Russell C. Fenton
Ligonier
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