Legislators must abide by court’s map ruling

I have written to the governor about my extreme concern that certain state representatives are choosing to decline to follow the state Supreme Court’s ruling on the gerrymandered districts. It is even more concerning — one might call it a constitutional crisis — that a state representative is pushing a measure to impeach justices because they are striking down unconstitutional laws (Feb. 8, “State Court: Voting Map Violates ‘Free and Equal’ Elections”).

I am hopeful that the governor’s office will be assisting our state Legislature in redrawing congressional district lines so that they are fair and honest, and not favoring either political party.

I urge others to contact the governor to help the voting be fair in Pennsylvania. Please keep the rule of law intact, and please assist state legislators to follow laws. CHARLES MAY

Swisshelm Park tax cut bill.

The Congressional Budget Office estimated that bill would add more than $1.4 trillion to the federal government debt over the next 10 years. The House Freedom Caucus supported that bill, as did their patrons, the Koch brothers.

But when the Senate reached an agreement on a budget that included increases in spending on both defense and other non-defense discretionary spending, the caucus is reported to be largely opposed.

Rep. Mo Brooks, a member of the caucus who voted for the tax cut bill, went on Fox News and described the Senate spending bill, as “a debt junkie’s wildest dream” and he said the Senate is poised “to embark on an unending stream of trillion-dollar or more annual deficits.” He called it “unfathomable” that Congress wants to “bankrupt a country that it took centuries of our ancestors to build.”

So, according to so-called “conservatives,” deficits associated with tax cuts are good, but deficit funding of increased spending is “unfathomable” and will bankrupt the nation.

Clearly, in view of the Koch-supported Freedom Caucus, tax cuts for the wealthy are good for the country, regardless of how they are paid for, but are much better if they are paid for by cutting programs such as community health centers and other programs that only serve the undeserving poor. JACK OCHS Point Breeze are traitors, and we hear no outcry from leaders of either party about what such an equation could mean for the future of our democracy? We have become immune to outrageous statements. BARBARA M. GROSSMAN

Squirrel Hill

With the recent testimonies from victims of Larry Nassar and the “Me Too” movement, I am inclined to ask: If sexual abuse and sexual harrassment hurt their victims, why is the pornography industry allowed to exist?

This “business” glorifies and profits from sex marketing in many forms, resulting in casualties such as abuse and addiction, and is protected under the First Amendment. It’s time to shut the pornography business down. KATHY LASLOW

Ross