The irony of U.S. Rep. Mackenzie appearing alongside Vice President Vance to praise the strength of President Trump’s economy was hard to miss — especially given what followed. Shortly after celebrating economic “success,” the congressman was photographed serving meals at a homeless shelter.
If the economy is truly thriving as claimed, why are so many Americans still lining up for food assistance? Homeless shelters are not symbols of prosperity; they are evidence of systemic failure. Applauding economic statistics while simultaneously acknowledging widespread hardship sends a deeply conflicting message.
Public officials should be honest about the reality facing working families. Rising housing costs, stagnant wages and inadequate social safety nets are not solved by news conferences or photo opportunities. They are solved by policy choices that prioritize people over political talking points.
Serving the homeless is commendable. Pretending their existence does not contradict claims of economic success is not.
Paul Anthony
The writer is the business manager for IBEW Local 375, Allentown.
Administration’s move puts U.S. at risk
At a time when this science is needed most, the United States is putting blinders on our national security by dismantling the National Center for Atmospheric Research. This is all part of Project 2025 spearheaded by Russell Vought. You remember, the plan that Trump didn’t “know anything about.” Well, that plan is well under way and we are all going to suffer for it. This particular research institution will be ripped apart, and that will end some of the most significant research on climate and weather that gives us all (including our aviation sector) a heads up for severe weather issues that are coming our way. Voting matters, folks, we need to stop the systematic destruction of what has always put the U.S. at the forefront of science in this and many other research fields of consequence. I, for one, am not willing to outsource my country’s security to others.
Deborah Hunter
Forks Township
Tax credits vital for health care coverage
My name is David Zins, I am a retired chef, baker and volunteer firefighter from Bethlehem.
I rely on the Affordable Care Act for health insurance. I am on the cheapest plan because I’m already struggling with rising costs, from health care to housing to groceries. With the expiration of the ACA tax credits, my premiums are expected to jump $100 dollars more per month. I live in a house with two other guys. With the way that prices keep going up, this could be my whole life. I’ll have to work until I die.
On Dec. 15, I met with Rep. Ryan Mackenzie’s office to call on him to sign HB 1834, the discharge petition closest to forcing a vote on extending the ACA tax credits. I shared my story, along with four other constituents also facing skyrocketing health care costs.
This morning, Dec. 17, Rep. Mackenzie signed the discharge petition to bring the tax credit extension to the House floor for a vote.
As his constituents like me are forced to make significant sacrifices to afford basic necessities, I am urging Rep. MacKenzie to stay in Washington however long it takes and vote yes to extend these tax credits for three more years.
David Zins
Bethlehem
Trump’s angry speech full of falsehoods
For those that may have missed President Trump’s recent address to the nation, you missed, perhaps, the angriest, machine gun-like delivery of falsehoods ever delivered over the span of 18 minutes. At one point I thought he was going to lurch forward and take a bite out of the camera.
It was a tempestuous tirade of trash delivered in the vapid, rapid style of a drug commercial voice-over talent reading the ominous health warnings at the end of a commercial.
If there was a Nobel Prize given for the most lies, per minute, given in a speech, he would be a sure thing. It was an address that will likely “never, ever to be seen again in the history of our country.”
Now back to the somewhat believable viewing of reality TV.
Bob Aylward
South Whitehall Township
Trump makes us proud again
As 2026 comes, we as a nation have much to look forward to. Massive tax cuts, a continued safe and secure border, low inflation and lower interest rates.
Thanks to the tireless work of our magnificent President Donald J. Trump, America is surviving the feckless group of incompetent politicians who ravaged us for four brutal years. We now stand proudly saluting our country’s flag and thanking God to be able to live in the greatest country man has ever known.
Donald Koza
Bethlehem Township
American republic is in danger
To paraphrase Shakespeare, “Something is rotten in these (United) States of America.” If upon reviewing the events of this past year weren’t enough to dampen your patriotic spirit and if you are filled with trepidation about the future, you have good reason to be. History tells us when the people throw in their lot with egomaniacal leaders, the results usually don’t favor the people. Turn your attention to World War II Germany and Japan, and if history isn’t your forte maybe a few contemporary examples may suffice. Take for example North Korea, where the people are starving to preserve a despot’s power. Look to Russia, where thousands are dying to realize Putin’s dream of resurrecting tsarist Russia. Now I can hear you saying that it can’t happen here, but with our system of checks and balances undermined by a Congress that seems content to cede its power to the president and a court system that is the product of bipartisan posturing, it doesn’t look good for our republic. Republicans will tell you that things are better and there’s nothing to fear, but increasingly the administration’s view of reality is looking like a fairytale with a bad ending.
Martin Stockman III
Bethlehem Township
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