6 days Ago
Support local farmersAs food prices continue to rise, it is more important than ever to support our local farmers. Purchasing locally grown produce not only helps sustain small businesses but also reduces the environmental impact associated with transporting food long distances. By investing in local agriculture, we can ensure fresher, healthier options for our communities while keeping money within the local economy.
Additionally, supporting farmers directly helps preserve open spaces and promotes sustainable farming practices. In these challenging times, prioritizing local food sources is a powerful way to strengthen our economy and build a more resilient food system.Brock WeinerEast Allen TownshipTrump administration working to eliminate fraud and wasteRecent protests decried President Trump’s actions, alleging he’ll gut Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid and Veterans Affairs benefits.
Trump’s administration hasn’t proposed ending these programs — only adding work requirements for Medicaid. Instead, he’s targeting fraud and waste. The Social Security Administration lost $11.
1 billion in overpayments in 2022, per the agency’s data. Medicare and Medicaid made $100 billion in errors in 2023, according to the Government Accountability Office. The VA’s audits reveal millions in waste.
Fixing this isn’t destruction; it’s stewardship. Why protest that?Then there’s outrage over government layoffs. Private firms cut jobs to survive — yet the federal government, with over 2 million employees (Office of Personnel Management data), rarely does.
With a $34 trillion debt and trillion-dollar deficits, shrinking the government seems logical. Critics fear job losses, but isn’t ballooning debt worse?The disconnect baffles me. No policy calls for axing these programs — just reforming them.
Protests feel more like resistance to change than defense of facts. I’d welcome debate on balancing fiscal health with social needs, but the hyperbole clouds the issue. Are we protecting services or just clinging to the status quo?Paul Pfeiffenberger Lower Macungie TownshipVote for Monica Hodges in South WhitehallAs a disillusioned voter who endured years of pandering to corporate interests, I think Monica Hodges remains a shining beacon, a stark contrast to former South Whitehall Township commissioners.
Her values are truly bipartisan and cogently explained in her STAR campaign. Indeed, I have several examples of her work that directly have improved safety in our neighborhood. She helped us secure additional signage on a road where cars were traveling dangerously fast, and also provided timely updates regarding suspicious cars in our neighborhood in the setting of recent package thefts.
Her transparency is evident in her multiple Facebook posts inviting all to participate and engage with various township events. She has held the township to account, completing the auditing of its finances and her continued respect for the township is manifested in her relentless pursuit of land preservation and adapting the future zoning ordinances to fit this goal. On the Republican ballot, the choice is clear, but I would also encourage Democrats to write Monica in as their candidate in their ballot to ensure that she remains in place to shepherd the township for years to come.
Please vote or write in Monica Hodges for South Whitehall Township commissioner.Steven SilvonekSouth Whitehall TownshipMcCormick, Mackenzie going along with harmful funding cutsThere is an old saying that “you can’t have your cake and eat it too.” But I think that is exactly what Rep.
Ryan Mackenzie and Sen. McCormick are trying to do. Most of the protests on “hands off” day were directed (and rightly so) at President Trump and Elon Musk, but the Republican Party is complacent in this too.
Because no matter how much McCormick and Mackenzie say they are for protecting Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid, they continue to vote for Trump’s policies. So remember that Republicans are allowing Trump to impose tariffs and cut staffing at critical places like the Social Security offices and health agencies. C’mon, McCormick/Mackenzie, eat it or spit it out.
Nathan ArmstrongLower Macungie TownshipTariffs will stop unfair trade practicesAs President Trump’s tariffs clean up the world’s unfair trade practices toward America, we will see our country flourish.The Democratic Party and the world know this and like spoiled children who have had their allowance taken away they are stamping their feet and pouting. America cannot afford the whole world playing video games in our basement.
Time to fend for themselves.Donald KozaBethlehem TownshipLocal leaders should cooperate with ICEIn the last two months, we’ve made big strides in getting our borders under control. According to the most recent reports, border crossings are at a record low and drug cartels are in retreat.
This is an incredible accomplishment, especially after several years of record crossings under President Biden. But while President Trump and Congress do their part, local leaders need to step up too.I couldn’t believe it when I saw that Northampton County refused to let Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents take custody of a violent criminal in their jail.
Instead of handing him over while he was already in prison, they let him go, forcing ICE to wait outside the prison to arrest this criminal. That seems very dangerous.I’m glad that Rep.
Ryan Mackenzie is calling this out and bringing attention to this problem. Local leaders should be working together with ICE when they try to deport criminals. You’d think that would be obvious.
I hope that Rep. Mackenzie and others in Congress keep dialing up the pressure on local officials who aren’t keeping us safe.Susan CowellWashington Township, Northampton CountyThe Morning Call publishes letters from readers online and in print several times a week.
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