Believe reform of the Legislature is possible

The Post-Gazette's editorial support of Rep. Mark Mustio and Sen. John Pippy in their effort to reduce the size of the state Legislature again draws our attention to the urgent need for reform in Harrisburg ("Big and Bloated: The Time Is Right to Prune the Legislature," Aug. 26 editorial).

Much of the interest in reducing the size of the Legislature is focused on the money that will be saved. This is important. However, if we do it right, there is the chance of even greater dividends: the opportunity to break with the past, the chance for some fresh faces in the Legislature and fresh thinking, the chance for the evolvement of better decision making and better problem solving. All of this is at the heart of restoring trust and credibility to state government and placing the state in a position to effectively compete in the decades ahead.

Among all the uncertainties attached to reform, one thing is certain: If good things are to happen, a great many of us must be willing to acknowledge that we are part of the process by which the system will be made whole. Let's begin by putting some pressure on our state legislators to support reducing the size of the General Assembly. Let's support the leadership of Rep. Mustio and Sen. Pippy.

Andrew Jackson reminded us many decades ago that "One man with courage makes a majority." Reform can happen.

CHRISTINE ALTENBURGER
Verona

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Earned the ride

I would like to respond to Lola J. Stanley's remarks about seniors getting a free bus ride ("Charge Seniors," Aug. 26 letters).

God, help those of us who live long enough to be able to ride free. After all, the home we own was paid for by us when there was no help from anyone -- just hard work.

Heaven forbid that we may be able to go to restaurants, when we didn't get food stamps, free day care (also free bus passes), prescription help or little or free rent.

As far as seniors being at bars, I see -- in pictures on TV or in the newspapers -- mostly young and middle-aged people at the bars, concerts and tailgate parties.

So, for the few free bus rides we are able to make at times, I feel in our lifetime we paid our Social Security, income tax and other taxes, and we earned it.

If you want to see the burden lifted, how about getting jobs for these young, able people on corners and streets who are just loafing all day?

EDITH M. MILLER
Allentown

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Paltry savings

This is in regard to Lola J. Stanley's Aug. 26 letter ("Charge Seniors"): I have a better idea, Ms. Stanley. Charge all of the Port Authority employees who currently ride free.

As for me, a senior, I wouldn't mind paying. We go Downtown maybe twice a year. That should help a lot! Big maybe.

GERRY HALL
Scott

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Selfish forces

While Paul A. Alter's concern for the environment is commendable ("Population Growth Is What's Really Killing the Planet," Aug. 13 letters), his attempt to pin the problem on population growth is unfounded and his proposed solution problematic.

Population growth is not the "gorilla" in the room that needs to be addressed. In its report "World Population Monitoring, 2001," the United Nations Population Division rejected the claim that natural resources will eventually become depleted due to population growth: "During recent decades new reserves have been discovered, producing the seeming paradox that even though consumption of many minerals has risen, so has the estimated amounts of the resource as yet untapped." In the same report, population growth takes second seat to the more detrimental forces of economic growth and technology.

Reduced birth rates are actually leading many nations into a population implosion: nations aging too rapidly without having enough children to replace them causing potential economic collapse (see UNPD 2006 report). Basically, in trying to curb environmental destruction through reduced birth rates, we could be killing ourselves.

All of us should be concerned with the environment, but selectively reducing humanity is not the solution; corrected behavior is. We have a responsibility as human beings to be stewards of the created world. We cannot rest on a false notion of the providence of God that would free us from personal or communal eco-responsibility.

What's really killing the planet is not the baby who was just born -- it's human selfishness and irresponsibility.

REV. JONATHAN ST. ANDRE
Lawrenceville

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Specter and taxes

A recent letter by Kristie Weiland calls on Sen. Arlen Specter to support adjustments to the child tax credit that will enable more families to qualify who have little or no income tax liability ("Tax Credit Priority," Aug. 26 letters).

Ms. Weiland should be pleased to know that Sen. Specter has been a supporter of efforts to reduce the tax liability of families with children, including legislation that doubled the amount of tax relief that families may qualify for under the child tax credit from $500 up to $1,000 per child.

In her comments on the senator's voting record, Ms. Weiland fails to mention that the specific provision she discusses is part of a much broader package that provides for the extension of expired and expiring tax provisions, including the research and development tax credit, alternative minimum tax relief and incentives for investment in alternative energy production. These provisions are broadly supported but have been held hostage by disagreements over revenue offsets and the length of extensions.

The majority leader has chosen to skip the customary committee process and to instead draft a bill in a back room. Sen. Specter has stated his preference to see this package passed with the opportunity for input and amendments from the minority party, without using a mere extension of benefits we already enjoy as an excuse to raise taxes elsewhere, and with longer extensions so that the yearly tax extender fight can be avoided.

When the Senate returns this month, passage of a tax extenders package will be a top priority for Sen. Specter.

KATE KELLY
Press Sectretary
U.S. Senator Arlen Specter
Washington, D.C.

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Green is good

We can all be proud of the way in which Pittsburgh and Allegheny County are becoming leaders in the "Green Jobs, Good Jobs" movement. We can celebrate a burgeoning clean energy industry in the Pittsburgh region.

Just in the past two weeks, two renewable energy companies have announced they are setting up shop in Allegheny County. German company Flabeg is opening a plant in Findlay that will employ as many as 300 workers in manufacturing special mirrors for large-scale solar energy projects. And New York-based wind power company EverPower is setting up an office in Lawrenceville. These are only the newest additions to a growing new energy economy for our region.

It's not coincidence that these industries are selecting Pittsburgh for their home. We have a skilled work force, solid infrastructure and, importantly, strong state incentives for renewable energy and energy efficiency that are helping us address our energy needs while creating good green jobs.

This Labor Day, I was celebrating the "green-collar" workers, business leaders and elected officials who together are building a clean energy economy.

BARBARA GROVER
Squirrel Hill

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Obama's policies are unsettling

In response to Kevin Gallagher's letter ("Obama Faces Childish Foes Who Reject the Truth," Aug. 29 letters), is he trying to insinuate that anyone who questions Barack Obama's qualifications is a misinformed child? I never believed that Mr. Obama is a Muslim, or a Kenyan, or that Michelle Obama is a black militant. Did Mr. Obama briefly attend a Muslim school as a child? Yes, he did. Does Mr. Obama have Kenyan relatives? Yes, he does. Did Barack and Michelle Obama attend a Christian church for 20 years that preached some black militant and anti-American ideals? Yes, they did.

While the above facts are somewhat worrisome, they are also irrelevant in the discourse of this election. I personally am not enamored with either of the candidates and have yet to decide whom to cast my vote for. Barack Obama's policies of higher taxation, increased government and diplomacy with radical governments do not seem like the proper way to resolve the many problems facing this country, however. I will be watching the debates with great interest to determine which candidate presents the best vision for America.

So, Mr. Gallagher, I do accept factually correct truths and, yes, I do care!

BRIAN COYLE
Bethel Park

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