Letters: What Does ‘Pride in America’ Truly Mean; No Arizona-Style Sham Audit in PA

Rep. Kerry Benninghoff’s recent interview with the editorial staff of the Lewistown Sentinel is inconsistent,  hypocritical, and — despite claims of “eyes and ears to the ground” — dismissive of the concerns and challenges  facing his constituents. His insistence that the fundamental problem is a lack of “pride in America” is intentionally  divisive. It deepens an “us” vs “them” mentality while deflecting attention from his role in nearly 25 years of  eroding the opportunities he claims to champion.

Access to affordable childcare is a significant challenge for many working families, and is only exacerbated by the  pandemic. Likewise, apprenticeships are wonderful but nowhere near as readily available as he describes — although it’s ironic that he touts these overwhelmingly union-sponsored programs, given the GOP’s long-standing  opposition to worker rights. And the implication that workforce development opportunities are “virtually free” will surprise the 1 in 7 Pennsylvanians struggling under crushing student loan debt. 

While Benninghoff notes that freedom implies responsibility in military service, he ignores the fact that citizens  and elected officials also have a social responsibility to protect their friends and neighbors. Medical professionals  have endorsed common-sense public health measures such as mask and vaccine requirements, but Kerry and GOP  leadership continue their opposition or simply remain silent.

Benninghoff’s divisive rhetoric does not help the people and communities of central Pennsylvania. We must send  representatives to Harrisburg who are focused not on partisan talking points, but on helping solve the very real  problems of the people and communities they represent. 

Paul Takac
Lemont

No Fraudulent Audit in PA

State Senate President Pro Tempore Jake Corman deserves a sarcastic cheer for his “leadership” in giving Sen. Doug Mastriano the heave-ho off the “Fraudit” (fraudulent audit) election integrity committee. Why was Mastriano, who was present at the U.S. Capitol at the time of the Jan. 6 riot, in charge of this In the first place?

But Corman’s fingerprints are still all over the Fraudit, and for that he deserves full-throated Bronx cheers. Instead of killing the Fraudit, he named Republican Senator Cris Dush, who traveled to Arizona to see how a Fraudit is done, to head it up.

A year ago at this time we were dealing with the escalating pandemic, our president was talking nonsense on COVID, and we in Pennsylvania were learning about the new mail voting system.

With no thanks to Trump, who declared Pennsylvania’s election rigged months before it happened, last November’s in-person and by-mail election saw a huge turnout and worked well. Through gold-medal work by county commissioners, election officials, and thousands of volunteers across the state, they tallied and verified a fraud-free election.

So what’s the problem, Senator Corman? Why does last November’s election need the Fraudit treatment? Are you still kissing up to Donald Trump? Does he still tell you what to do? Holding out for an ambassadorship in the next Trump administration?

There comes a time when men with spine admit they are wrong and move on.

Senator Corman: By continuing the Fraudit you have sullied your family’s record of public service, and are wasting your time and taxpayer money. Why?

Marilyn Goldfarb
Boalsburg