Letters: How can anyone defend Trump?; Casino’s ‘dealer school’ a bad bet

How can anyone defend Trump?

How can anyone defend Donald Trump’s leadership when everyday Americans are paying for his failures?

The economic record alone should end the debate. Only 31% of adults approve of Trump’s handling of the economy — a staggering rebuke. Inflation is crushing household budgets, unemployment is rising, and even Republicans are losing faith in his economic competence. This is mismanagement with real consequences for working families.

The crisis in health care is even more damning. Millions of Americans are already drowning under soaring premiums, deductibles and prescription costs. Yet Republican-backed policies supported by Trump would slash more than $1 trillion from Medicaid and Affordable Care Act coverage, stripping an estimated 15 million people of health insurance over the next decade. These cuts mean sick children, disabled adults and seniors forced to choose between care and survival. New work requirements and punitive fees are designed not to help people, but to push them out of the system entirely.

Medicare and Medicaid — lifelines for seniors, veterans, people with disabilities and low-income families — are being gutted to bankroll massive tax giveaways to corporations and the ultra-wealthy. That is a moral failure, not fiscal responsibility.

Meanwhile, Trump’s immigration tactics have spread fear nationwide. Federal raids have wrongfully detained U.S. citizens, trampling civil liberties and basic due process. When citizens are tackled or jailed despite proving who they are, something is deeply broken.

With economic insecurity, health care chaos, and civil rights under assault, the question isn’t partisan — it’s fundamental: why support this administration at all?

William J. Rothwell, State College From school board to College Township council

After ten years of service on the State College Area School District Board of Directors, I am leaving the school board to serve on the College Township Council.

My experience on the school board has shown me how closely our schools, neighborhoods and local governments are connected. Decisions made at the township level about land use, development, infrastructure, and public safety have lasting impacts. These choices shape everyday life in our community.

College Township is at an important moment. The revitalization of the Dale Summit area presents an opportunity to thoughtfully strengthen a key commercial corridor while balancing economic development with community character. The opening of the casino will require careful oversight and transparency to address traffic, public safety and quality-of-life concerns while ensuring the township benefits responsibly from this new development. In addition, College Township’s relationship with Penn State is central to our future, and I believe strongly in working collaboratively with the university to address shared challenges and opportunities that affect all residents.

During my ten years on the school board, I worked collaboratively to navigate complex issues through open dialogue and careful stewardship of public resources. Those experiences reinforced the importance of thoughtful decision-making and long-term planning — skills I will bring to township council.

This transition is a natural continuation of my public service. I will bring my experience and commitment to College Township as we work together to shape a thoughtful and sustainable future.

Gretchen Brandt, College Township Casino’s ‘dealer school’ a bad bet

This is the nightmare that just keeps getting more insidious!

Happy Valley Casino’s plan to open their dealer school at the mall is yet one more knife into the heart of our community. Growing up and making our way in a world infested with downward spiraling temptations like working as a dealer or attendant at the casino is a path to nowhere land. Witnessing desperation of gamblers day by day is depressing work. Potentially empty days and the sudden rush of gamblers panicked perhaps to make up escalating losses can only erode workers sense of reality, sanity and their own personal potential and security. Job security is far from guaranteed since project developer Ira Lubert has already committed to sell a 60% majority interest to Saratoga Casino Holdings. This does not instill confidence in potential job hunting and the future management.

Such employment is just as risky as the job itself in a casino.

There are far more rewarding and secure career options that will offer potentially real careers that will build, not undermine, your future mental and financial well-being.

Micaela Amateau Amato, Boalsburg

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