Calling All ‘Swifties‘
I am pushing 70 so I still worship at the altar of Joni Mitchell, Jimi Hendrix, and that boy band from Liverpool. But I have heard that millions of young folk of voting age are absolutely gaga about some great new lady singer who likes cats and doesn’t have any kids. I think they call themselves ‘Swifties'(don’t ask me why.) My hunch is when they hear what JD Vance said about childless cat ladies, these millions of fans will be pretty upset and will definitely vote against him.
“We are effectively run in this country … by a bunch of childless cat ladies who are miserable at their own lives and the choices that they’ve made and so they want to make the rest of the country miserable too,” said Vance on Fox News.
What were you thinking, JD, when you made such Just Dumb comments? You are supposed to get more voters for your old grandpop running mate (who is pushing 80!), not less. I think after the ‘Swifties’ vote in droves for Kamala, you will be the miserable one.
Steve Cickay, Newtown
The GOP Agenda Harms Workers and Senior Citizens
Republicans loudly proclaim that they are the party of the workers and senior citizens. Unfortunately, their actions clearly demonstrate otherwise. Case in point:
On April 23, 2024 the US Department of Labor finalized the Biden-Harris proposed Retirement Security Rule to protect the retirement savings of workers and retirees who rely on professional investment advisors (fiduciaries). The updated rule is to take effect on September 23, 2024.
This rule requires investment advisors to give “prudent, loyal, honest advisement free of overcharges.” These financial advisors must adhere to high standards when making investment recommendations and must avoid any which favor the advisor’s interests at the expense of the saver. In other words, fiduciaries may not recommend investments which result in them collecting unnecessary or excessive fees.
Many older investors are often duped into paying higher fees for riskier products with high fees and commission rates. An analysis by the Council of Economic Advisors suggests that this rule could save investors over $5 billion per year in lost returns.
To no one’s surprise, Wall Street investment firms such as Charles Schwab, Prudential Financial, UBS Financial, and others have mounted opposition to the new rule because it will cut into their already excessive profits. The Financial Services Institute (FSI) and the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association (SIFMA) have joined in a lawsuit filed by the American Council of Life Insurers to strike down the rule, claiming that it “jeopardizes investors’ access to advice and education.” Clearly these organizations are more interested in guaranteeing their profits than protecting their investors.
Also, not unexpectedly, these firms have turned to their Republican friends in Congress to get the rule overturned. Senators Ted Budd (R-NC), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Joe Manchin (I-WV), and Roger Marshall (R-KS), along with 12 other Republican senators have introduced a joint resolution to overturn the rule. Representatives Rick Allen (R-GA) and Virginia Foxx (R-NC) have sponsored the resolution in the House of Representatives.
It seems quite evident that Republicans are more concerned with helping their financial benefactors than with safeguarding the well-being of retirees and hard-working Americans. This is just another reason why voters must elect Democrats to the White House and especially to Congress.
David B. Kyle, New Columbia
Habitat for Humanity and Decency
Thirty-ninth President Jimmy Carter’s grandson, Jason Carter, stated recently that his beloved grandfather’s earthly journey is nearing an end. Jimmy Carter’s legacy is vast and is rooted in faith and a desire to truly uplift people domestically and internationally.
Jimmy and the late Rosalynn Carter’s personal involvement with Habitat for Humanity raised awareness of a program that now works in all 50 states and in numerous other countries to help people achieve stability and independence through safe housing.
Education was important to President Carter and in 1979 he reinstated it as a cabinet-level agency piggybacking on President Andrew Jackson’s legislation which created the Department of Education in 1867.
There is such a stark contrast between the presidencies of Jimmy Carter and Donald Trump. Carter demonstrated his faith by his works and Trump mocked faith. An odd circumstance of the latter president was him speaking outside of a church with an upside down Bible in his hand. In addition, he condoned Betsy DeVos’s tireless work to subvert public education.
Jimmy Carter’s presidency was a hallmark for democracy. Trump’s presidency included a horrible insurrection. Decency and leadership are needed for our nation. Casting meaningful votes has never been more important.
Jason offered another insight earlier this month about his grandfather. He shared that President Carter plans to stay alive to vote for presumptive presidential nominee, Kamala Harris. Early voting begins in Georgia on October 15.
In Pennsylvania it begins September 16. Vote!
Gail Titus, Newtown
