Sep 14, 2009 8 min read

Say no to Obamacare When President Obama assures you that you can keep your present health care plan under his proposed reform plan, bear in mind that he does not have a good track record for truth-telling or promise-keeping.

You could lose your insurer and your doctor, too. It is highly unlikely that good doctors will want to take the low rates that the government will pay caregivers who are part of a new government-run healthcare system. An estimated 50 million new people would be placed in this new system and would probably include illegal immigrants. It is only common sense that less money and more patients would absolutely necessitate rationing.

Noted for saying what is politically expedient, President Obama is now adamantly assuring us that his health care plan will not subsidize abortion. But can we believe him? Many who have read the bill say that it is there under the guise of ?family planning.? And does it surprise you that the government will have direct access to your bank accounts for electronic funds transfers? Everyone must have health care. No choice!

Of course the term ?death panels? is not used in the wording of the legislation. But you can be sure that government bureaucrats who know nothing about the practice of medicine will make decisions about you and your healthcare and will decide who gets critical procedures and expensive medications. This will result in life and death situations, and the elderly on Medicare and those with terminal illnesses will be the first to suffer.

The Bible tells us to be as wise as serpents and as gentle as doves. You owe it to yourself to do some research and discover the truth about this proposed ?health care reform.? Then call Sen. Robert Casey at (202) 224-6324, Sen. Arlen Specter at (202) 224-4254, Rep. John Murtha at (202) 225-2065, and Rep. Bill Shuster at (202) 225-2431 and respectfully but firmly express your objections to this devastating threat to our freedom.

For more information see www.standinginthegap-pa.com

Rosemary Fike

Uniontown

?Blight? ordinance ripped

I?d like to take a moment to address the recent passage of the ?Blight? ordinance by Uniontown City Council.

After comparing both ordinances line by line, I can personally attest that although tabled appropriately for modification, the original ordinance clearly enumerated the responsibilities of landlords to provide and maintain solid housing for tenants, and of tenants to conduct themselves appropriately.

The phrase ?refining the language? was stated repeatedly as I inquired about the status of the original ordinance over approximately six months. Voted on once in 2007 and tabled, it sat dormant until June, when a select group of individuals ?refined? it by removing roughly 10 pages.

Among the items cut included licensing of landlords, with the potential suspension or loss of license for repeated failure to comply with maintaining properties to code.

Space constraints prevent expansion on the (at least) 20 significant subtractions made from the original ordinance, but suffice it to say that ?refinement? equals ? total rewrite. Provisions holding landlords responsible for conditions of property beyond current ordinances vanished.

Interior inspections disappeared, apparently for ?Fourth Amendment? considerations. A cursory inspection of the Fourth Amendment quickly reveals no such infringement for internal inspection of rentals for code violations.

Connellsville, Bethlehem, Collier Township, and Morgantown have ordinances requiring inspection, and not just external, to the best of my knowledge. The fact that this ordinance added nothing of substance and passed with the expressed intent of changing our city?s blight situation is laughable.

Citizens of Uniontown, if you see code inspections going on in the next few weeks, don?t believe for a single second the Blight ordinance is responsible, as its passage benefits one group and one group alone to the detriment of all others ? the landlords.

Chris Jones

Uniontown

President not respected

This will be brief.

When did we stop respecting the Office of the President of the United States? He is the most powerful person on earth.

Regardless of political affiliations, I have always respected the president. He represents all of us, the American people, to the world. His job is to worry about us, to protect us, to ensure our freedoms (even the freedom to protest him). Why are we so ungrateful all of a sudden?

Kelly E. Rusinack

Bitner

Festival organizers thanked

I would like to personally congratulate the city of Uniontown on the tremendous success of the Italian Heritage Festival.

As a public servant, I was pleased to see that the community was able to put any and all differences aside to come together and celebrate not only the Italian culture but the strong sense of fellowship that this county maintains.

It was clear that those who were involved dedicated a great deal of time and effort in making this festival a memorable occasion for the residents of Fayette County as well as those visiting from neighboring areas.

This past weekend has proven that when a community comes together, it can produce incredible things.

Again, the festival was a great success, and I look forward to attending next year.

State Rep. Tim Mahoney

Uniontown

NRA foe criticized

About a week ago there was a complete hypocrite who wrote in about gun hypocrisy. Shaken by the deaths of three young ladies shot to death in a local gym, he blamed the NRA and certain government officials.

Now let?s talk about the 80 auto deaths in four Pennsylvania counties: Greene, Westmoreland, Fayette, and Washington. It?s amazing to me how this record number of deaths in four counties alone goes unnoticed by local hypocrites who must think that getting smashed to death is fairly normal.

With 63 other counties to go, the carnage isn?t over yet. Blaming the NRA for the deaths of these three women is like blaming AAA for the 80 deaths in these Pennsylvania counties.

There are no laws written by man to protect you from a mad man with a gun or a soccer mom driving drunk down the interstate in the wrong direction. At the same time I am watching daily the destruction of valuable farmlands and beautiful woodlands falling to new road construction with turning lanes going nowhere.

Let?s hope that hypocrisy doesn?t become terminal any time soon.

Marty Donofrio

Uniontown

Community involvement needed

I just wish we could have constructive community involvement. Everyone seems to have an emotional knee-jerk opinion. Why can?t we just work as a team toward progress and being a vibrant community rationally?

Being committed as a citizen, resident, involves your role in fulfilling social responsibility to both your and my community. This is basically about sharing your time and talents to improve our community. How is it that in Fayette County hardly no one is interested in the affairs of his township, of his district, and of the county?

Our bashing and trashing of our public officials, unwillingness to conquer our horrible crime and drug problems and our horrible economy diminishes our aspiring tourist attractions. What flashy industry or employer would really want to come to our community? What tourist would want to patronize our tourist attractions such as our valuable historical heritage, when we have an image as Fayettenam?

We all need to develop an understanding of the problems and issues within our community. Community involvement is a measure of the commitment to the belief that local efforts can change conditions in a community. We need to encourage a belief that local efforts can and will make a difference. The community has to recognize the feeling of disconnection and respond with efforts to involve and welcome people that demonstrate a strong willingness to help our community.

In conclusion, God?s work will be done in spite of evil forces at work.

Robert Ted Pritchard Sr.

Fairchance

H-S slights Italian festival

I find it disturbing to see last weekend?s cover of the Spinit Magazine promote a group that will be performing in Morgantown rather than the Italian Festival being held in Uniontown.

True, there was an article on the inside of the Spinit for the festival but I feel the Italian Festival should have been on the cover and if promoting events in Morgantown is important, then that article should have been on the inside.

The Italian Festival is benefiting not only the City of Uniontown but also many local vendors. No benefit comes to this area from promoting anything in Morgantown.

This is not the first time Spinit has promoted events outside our area instead of local events. The Herald-Standard calls itself the ?Local News Leader.? Let?s see more local in the Spinit.

Patricia Walters

Uniontown

Stop stealing signs

One of the ways of promoting my business (Green Garden Miniature Golf) in the spring, summer and fall months is to put small 18? by 24? signs in yards of people I know with their permission. I have done this in the eight years, I have owned the business.

I?ve always had a few of them disappear, but never like this year. Of the 25 signs that I put out, 20 of them are gone. These signs are not free nor are they cheap.

The outdoor entertainment industry is bad enough this year due to the terrible weather and the economy.

Some advice for those responsible: A) get a life, B) keep your hands off of others peoples property, C) show a little respect for people trying to make an honest living. Didn?t your mother teach you better?

Apparently not. Anyone with any tips, stop out and see me.

Patrick Reed

Hopwood