Murtha is a proven leader
Dear Editor: My neighbors in this region have had to face the economic challenges of a changing economy. It is a struggle to create jobs. On Sept. 11th we faced a new challenge, that of international terrorism. It was through the grace of God that the heroic struggle of those on Flight 93 did not lead to a significant loss of life in the Johnstown-Somerset area. While we continue to fight the war against unemployment, our country is now waged in a new war against terrorism. The question is: Who is best able to represent our district in Congress?
Our country is spending more on defense and domestic security than at any period since the military buildup of the Reagan years. Can our region join in this fight against terrorism while creating jobs in our district? It pains me to see Mr. Mascara ignore the thousands of jobs that have been created in the defense sector, through the clout of Jack Murtha. I have seen firsthand how at the leadership of Mr. Murtha, the defense industry has blossomed in the Cambria-Somerset area.
I am on the board of CTC, a non-profit defense consulting firm headquartered in Johnstown. This firm began with a handful of employees and now has over 600 employees with a national presence. CTC provides an opportunity for many of our young people to return to the area.
Our Showcase for Commerce, largely a regional-defense related trade show, began in the ballroom of a local hotel. Today this huge industrial trade show fills the floor of our arena in Johnstown with representation from nearly every defense firm in the nation, and these defense contractors sincerely want to do business in Mr. Murtha’s district. Our area had to re-tool to create defense jobs, this took time, but it is working. Yes, Mr. Mascara defense jobs are real jobs and the potential for growth during this current national crisis is large. Don’t be misled by the empty promises of Mr. Mascara. Mr. Murtha is a quiet powerhouse who delivers jobs and brings your federal tax dollars back to the district.
Job creation is important, but there is an even more important reason why we need Mr. Murtha’s leadership in the post-Sept. 11th world. This is a very dangerous time. I learned this when Flight 93 nearly crashed in my hometown. Our president seems to be contemplating a war with Iraq. We need a serious, thoughtful and experienced leader to represent us in Congress.
The safety and future of our country is at stake, and that is no idle threat. It disgusts me to see the negative campaign tactics of Mr. Mascara when our district faces the challenge of job creation and our nation faces the threat of international terrorism. Mascara’s mud-slinging tactics remind me of Youngstown’s Congressman Jim Traficant’s courtroom defense strategy. These are challenging times for our area and our nation. We need real leadership from our congressman. We need a congressman who can deliver. That is why I support Jack Murtha for Congress. I know from first-hand experience he can deliver.
Mark E. Pasquerilla
Johnstown
Casey earned union suppport
Dear Editor:
Job security is foremost on the minds of working families as they go to the polls in this election. In spite of the rosy economic picture by business and economists, the recession continues with more lost jobs and rising unemployment both nationally and in Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania ranks at the bottom in job creation.
Clearly current government policies aren’t working. Working people want to know what the candidates are offering to provide good jobs and economic security.
The loss of health insurance when workers lose their jobs is a key concern. Unemployed working families cannot afford to pay for their health care benefits. Bob Casey is the only candidate for governor who has proposed a plan that provides health insurance to the families of unemployed workers.
Many of the jobs lost in this recession are permanent. These jobs will never come back due to permanent shutdown and unfair trade deals. Workers in these circumstances need more time and assistance to retrain and find new jobs. Bob Casey understands the unique challenges these workers face and has proposed improvements in worker training and unemployment compensation.
His opponent believes there is no problem or chooses to ignore it. In fact Ed Rendell helped former President Clinton push for Fast Track legislation that would have cost Pennsylvania thousands of more jobs and even lower living standards for working families.
Workers can draw their own conclusions about who is really on their side by also looking at Bob Casey’s position on workers’ compensation and the record of his opponent.
Bob Casey will work to strengthen and protect workers’ compensation to guarantee full benefits for injured workers. Today less than 50 percent of injured workers receive benefits due in large part to massive cuts supported by former Gov. Ridge. Ed Rendell was one of Gov. Ridge’s key lobbyists in the legislature pushing through the cuts which harmed people who were least able to defend themselves – injured workers and their families.
The differences between Bob Casey and Ed Rendell are also very clear on raising Pennsylvania’s minimum wage, fast track trade deals, education and affordable prescription drugs. Bob Casey supports working people, Ed Rendell does not.
Working people do not want to be told how to vote, but they do want their unions and the Pennsylvania AFL-CIO to give them facts and information about the candidates so they can decide for themselves.
As Election Day draws nearer, and as we provide the fact and information, more workers are supporting Bob Casey for governor because he is honest and committed to making Pennsylvania a better place to live and to work for all of us.
William M. George, president
Pennsylvania AFL-CIO
Harrisburg
Young voter favors Casey
Dear Editor;
We are rapidly approaching the May 21 primary election and what an exciting election it is going to be. As a 20-year-old college student, I am relatively new to the entire voting process, but on May 21 I will be sure to cast my vote for Bob Casey Jr.
I will be voting for him as the Democratic candidate for governor of our great state. He will follow in the footsteps of his father by actually helping the residents of Southwestern Pennsylvania and supporting economic growth in this area, which is something that greatly needed.
As a political science major, I understand the importance of voting and the democratic process. I can only hope that all residents of Pennsylvania, especially those from Southwestern Pennsylvania, understand this election’s importance.
Casey’s support for this area is apparent with his selection of his running, mate, Jack Wagner from Allegheny County.
Together they want to better Pennsylvania and better our area. And that is why this election is so important.
Bob Mehalik
Merrittstown
Murtha sold out Democrats
Dear Editor:
In a recent article in your newspaper, U.S. Rep. John Murtha stated it was state House Minority Leader H. William DeWeese’s fault that the House Democrats did not have the votes to stop the Republican congressional map that passed.
I find this pretty amazing. Go look at which state legislators cast their votes for the Republican plan. They all reside in four Congressional districts. Those of Murtha, Doyle, Brady and Kanjorski. It was those four congressmen who pressured their Democrat state representatives to vote for the Republican plan. There was nothing Bill DeWeese could have done about that.
Jack Murtha sold out the Democratic Party to save himself and then he lies about it to the press and puts the blame on someone else.
The voters of the 12th Congressional District should ask themselves: If he would lie about that, what else is he lying about? I have a feeling the answer to that question is plenty.
And why is Jack Murtha so afraid to debate Frank Mascara? He says it’s because he has been there for 30 years and that should be enough. Perhaps someone should tell Mr. Murtha that a new map was passed, and, contrary to his over inflated ego, many people in the newly drawn 12th Congressional District do not have a clue who he is or what he stands for.
He has shown me that he doesn’t care about the people of the 12th District and on May 21 I hope the voters send Mr. Murtha the same message.
Vincent M. Tiberi
Uniontown_