Fighting for change

What an election year we will have with both parties so far apart and no one in the middle.

I like Joe Biden, but he doesn’t see what’s wrong with destroying the history of this country. It cannot be changed, and we can only learn from it and make a better future. You can’t blame everyone in this country for the acts of a few.

We have the right to peacefully protest, but not the right to riot and destroy property. For years many people died due to being uninsured, and rallies for health care reform began, but those rallies were peaceful and our voices were heard. There were no riots or destruction because we knew changes had to take place to help those who were denied medical care, but harming others was not the answer.

We have President Donald Trump, who seems to enjoy categorizing people as winners or losers, but you’re only a loser if you give in to him by allowing this ignorant behavior. He calls the U.S. Postal Service a joke because he wants to destroy a major agency to win an election. I’ve relied on the Postal Service for most of my life, even as a child in the 1950s. Mail carriers deliver all types of information, including mail from nonprofits looking for help for their organizations or a card or note to someone who may be celebrating or needs an emotional boost. This agency is a vital link for many people, so please don’t destroy it.

ANN STANTON Baden

Not helpful

I strongly disagree with the Post-Gazette’s July 29 editorial “We Can Do Better,” on Sean Parnell, the Republican candidate in U.S. House District 17. The editorial states he “is a better candidate and a better man than his recent rhetoric.”

How do we know that? How else are we to judge a challenger to an incumbent than by his words? When he says that people who disagree with him “hate America” or refers to people protesting legitimate grievances as “the enemies of America ... trying to burn our country to the ground,” the editorial merely remarks “most of this is not helpful.”

Exactly what part of this hate speech is helpful?

Mr. Parnell is just another candidate in the vein of President Donald Trump, hoping to gain votes by hateful attacks, rather than offering up any positive ideas or policies of his own. We’ve all seen the disastrous results that kind of candidate has brought to the country. Thankfully, the voters of the 17th District already have a better representative and a better man in the race — Conor Lamb. Mr. Lamb is an effective leader who has already shown he can work across the aisle to get things done. We need leaders like Mr. Lamb who can put divisive rhetoric aside and work for all Americans. CHRIS RIEGER Cranberry

At risk

When counting the deaths from COVID-19, we are always reminded the people with preexisting conditions are the most vulnerable.

This being the stated case, shouldn’t all voters with pre-existing conditions be sent mail-in ballots? From high blood pressure up and down the scale, these voters should be qualified. Also, anyone over a certain age.

Let’s not forget that when it comes to health care, the Republicans want these millions of people to be in a separate category and to pay higher rates. I am sure the president will approve. JOE BRANCATO Whitehall