Protectionist arguments are no better today

David Urban’s op-ed piece (June 6, “Tariffs Are Good for Pennsylvania”) is surprisingly unoriginal even for a Trump supporter. He parrots conservative talking points that have been used to justify economic theories that have yielded little benefit to the middle class.

Case in point, “the nation’s five biggest steel producers ... gained nearly $700 million in market value” subsequent to Donald Trump’s tariff announcement. This, without producing an additional ton of steel or a single dollar added to employee wages. Nothing has been gained for manufacturing except to increase corporate and investor wealth.

Mr. Urban spoke volumes when he said, “American workers have been ripped off for decades.” Clearly, tariffs and trickle-down economics such as those promoted by him and the present administration have repeatedly failed American manufacturing workers in “the forgotten sectors.” Furthermore, they will not likely help them now. History reveals that these sectors were not forgotten but ignored by industries that sought the cheapest production costs possible.

I have heard protectionist arguments before, and they do not sound any better now when trumpeted (pun intended)

We welcome your opinion

by Dave Urban. LAWRENCE C. KORCHNAK Hampton

Every culture, every language, has its own swear words, and they serve a critical humanitarian function for each. They are words that, by common agreement, are especially reserved for “last resort” expression when one’s anger is virtually “beyond words.” But it is important to recognize that they cannot serve this function unless they are also commonly considered “immoral” public utterances, and not to be used aimlessly.

Too many foolish people try to make these words a part of their everyday conversation. They have no realization that they are seriously undermining the unique and special purpose these words serve in our language. There are also other special words, usually referring to genital parts, whose utterances are considered (or always be considered) either immoral or in extremely bad taste.

I don’t swear in public, not out of fear of displeasing God, but to protect the viability of those handfulof very special words. WILLIAM McCARTHY

West Mifflin

President Donald J. Trump is complaining about “fake news” debasing his wife, Melania, when she was out of the public eye recently after surgery. He called speculation about her whereabouts “unfair” and “vicious.” Has Mr. Trump debased her with his infidelity over the years of their marriage? RICHARD M. IAMMARINO

Upper St. Clair