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Voter suppression is the only reason for IDs
For the past seven years I have been a poll worker. During my time I have never witnessed any fraud or security problems. I can also say that in my 42 years of voting, I have also never witnessed any problems in these areas. The Republicans in Harrisburg want to add showing a photo ID to the process of voting. Why?
It was once said to stop voter fraud. The authors of the bill have admitted that there is no proven voter fraud. Now they say it is a "security" measure. I have seen some folks take more than their share of doughnuts after voting. Is there a doughnut security problem? Come on; the only reason for an ID at the polls is voter suppression to make it more difficult to re-elect President Barack Obama. It is proven that low voter participation in this democracy only helps Gov. Tom Corbett and his machine.
There simply is no other reason for the voter ID law. It is an unnecessary law being forced upon the people of Pennsylvania by the so-called party of smaller government. Ha! How is it that the party that balks at government health care programs and cries "rights" passes a law requiring citizens to show ID when not necessary?
"It is seldom that liberty of any kind is lost all at once" (David Hume). I know that many see this voter ID issue as a small inconvenience. But it is a blatant abuse of power by Gov. Corbett and his party. How can we tolerate voter suppression in the United States while we send troops to build democracy?
This is one poll worker who will not be working the polls of Pennsylvania if required to ask my neighbors and voters for IDs. I will not be an officer in the Corbett police state at the election polls.
DAN WYSE
Upper St. Clair
Hardly oppressive
In regard to the letter from John Thomas ( "Photo ID and Rights," Jan. 17):
First, the argument that getting photo ID is only "easy" for those living in the "big city" is laughable. Yes, for some it may not be as simple as walking down the street a couple of blocks or catching a bus that runs every 15 minutes, but obtaining photo ID really isn't the arduous task that he insinuates.
Second, I doubt proving it unconstitutional would be as "easy" as he claims. Not being allowed to cast a vote due to your inability to prove that you are a person eligible to vote at a specific polling place (via photo ID) is not the same thing as being denied your right to vote due to discrimination (Amendments 15 and 26). The "poll tax" argument has no traction considering that: 1) not all forms of acceptable photo ID have a fee to obtain them, and 2) the usage of these forms of ID is not exclusive to voting (Amendment 24). The Constitution may not specify a photo ID requirement to vote; however, it also does not forbid the requirement to produce one to prove that you are one of those people who have the right to vote.
Considering how much of life already requires photo ID, asking for it as part of determining voter eligibility for something as important as exercising that right to vote hardly seems oppressive to me.
MARK ST. CLAIR
McKeesport
Worth the pay
I am replying to the Jan. 13 article that the Allegheny County controller and treasurer accepted pay raises ( "County Controller, Treasurer Getting Hefty Raises for This Year" ). Did it ever occur to you that they could have made double or more of the money they receive from the county if they had a position as CEO in a company with the number of employees they serve at the county?
Before I retired, I was holding the position of the financial officer and management accountant for the county Department of Community Services. In this capacity I worked closely with the controller and treasury offices. Frank J. Lucchino and Jay Costa Sr. were responsible for the excellent reputation we received from Harrisburg. But for my part, I received only half of the salary I deserved, despite the urging from some in government to give me a raise.
My pension is small, as is my Social Security, the widow's benefits from my husband, who died in 1966. My son helped me to live a comfortable life. I received a Community Citation of Merit from the grateful citizens of this county when I retired, And it would be proper for citizens of our county, who saw the photos of the controller and treasurer in the newspaper, shown as "criminals" who took a raise, to lift their hats in gratitude for their selfless work in our county of Allegheny.
UTA SCHWAN-ULBRICH
Certified Public Accountant
Wilkins
He's not his grandpa
Rick Santorum is not his grandfather.
My grandfather started in Pennsylvania's coal mines at age 12. He raised two sons and two daughters to maturity after having been widowed nine months after the birth of his last child.
When the mines were finished with him, I heard his breathing progressively worsen until he left us. There is much more to tell of a Depression-era Donora man who taught his daughters to cook and sew and who set an example of a solid work ethic for his sons, but my point is this:
My father and grandfather instilled in me a belief that people should do the best they can to stand on their own two feet. Not once did I fill out a job application stating the laurels won by my grandfather.
Likewise, Mr. Santorum should stand on his own "merits" rather than trying to have some doled out to him from his grandfather's efforts.
BARRY GOVENOR
Brentwood
Now hear this
Does anyone remember who destroyed our manufacturing in the United States? Everyone talks about the North American Free Trade Agreement and breaks to corporations to take our jobs overseas. But no one talks about ex-president George W. Bush's "fast track" trade-deal authority. At least, I haven't heard that.
I remember the steel industry bankruptcies: I lived through one and the misery. Does anyone say how great it was that President Barack Obama saved our car industry jobs for all our workers? I haven't heard that.
Who went into Iraq for no reason? And who brought our troops home in the past year and who deserved overwhelming praise? I haven't heard that.
Who has been working so hard since President Obama got into office to have him be a one-term president? What a terrible thing for our country. I haven't heard anyone putting those representatives in a bad light.
And who wants to save Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid for the elderly? President Barack Obama.
My summary is: Keep Obamacare -- I have heard people from students to nurses to doctors to the elderly saying how people have benefited. Why haven't our leaders heard that yet?
CAROLE McMAHON
Imperial
Many have been too quick to judge Paterno
The grand jury report suggests anger should be directed at Penn State former assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky, former athletic director Tim Curley and former vice president Gary Schultz and the individuals at The Second Mile charity who didn't do what they should have done, along with many other adults who knew more detail than Joe Paterno. After reading the grand jury report, I believe the subsequent actions of Penn States trustees, some media people and Pittsburgh's mayor seem wrong and that they were too quick to judge.
Jerry Sandusky was no longer under JoePa's jurisdiction when JoePa got a report three years after the man's retirement of alleged illegal activity by the man in Penn State facilities. Joe reported within 24 hours to Tim Curley and Gary Schultz, the two men who were in charge of either the football facilities or campus police and retirees. With what information is currently available to the grand jury, I respect Franco Harris' position and admire him for speaking up.
I hope in the future JoePa's name is cleared and he is given due respect for all the good he has done for Penn State. The trustees were clueless as to what was in the best interest for stopping a suspected child predator and what's best for Penn State and all the alumni who love Joe. They should have praised Joe Paterno for quickly reporting to superiors and let him finish the season and leave with a celebration of his years with the university.
What kind of message does this send to coaches around the country who wish to report a problem? That you could lose your job! That is not going to help rid the world of child predators!
The trustees should all step down after issuing an apology to Joe Paterno. I hope that happens ASAP and definitely before JoePa's death someday. The anti-Joe media should get off his case too!
GINNY NEFF CAMPBELL
Penn State Class of '72
Richland
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First Published January 19, 2012 12:00 am
