Governor Wolf recently sent an email to plead for a reasonable budget to take care of the cut-backs in education, social services, road repairs, etc., despite the almost ten years of drilling in our State.  However, ten years of gas drilling has done little to alleviate the state budget crisis.

The Pa. coffers are in the red and the Governor is trying to further tax the Gas Industry.  Where is all the money and wealth that supposedly was being pumped or drilled into our economy?

According to George Stark of Cabot Oil and Gas, gas activity and development is down more than 50 per cent in our county and that will mean less tax revenues from this industry.  So, where is the help from it for our communities and state?

In my opinion, the Gas Industry presence has not been the savior for our economy that was anticipated by some. Now it's spiraling downward in it's development and in my estimation we are in the "bust" stage of this industry.

Many think we need to transition to renewables and get green jobs into our State, like NY is focusing on and save our environment from the ongoing impacts.

Sincerely,

Vera Scroggins

Brackney, PA

Trump and Hillary are having a bad hair day.

Trump's been ducking brickbats for months because of his blond shock. “But it's my hair. I swear,” he said and invited members at one of his numerous rallies to give it a pull. One supporter took him up on it. It passed the tug test.

For his part, Trump wondered if Hillary's bottle-blonde coiffure is hers or someone else's? Would she consent to a tug test? But the chance of that happening is about the same as the Democratic shoe-in nominee wearing a pretty-in-pink dress.

The Trump vs. Hillary hair fight is just so much media fodder until one looks at the mismatch of Hillary's full, lustrous, youthful hair and her face. The hair is young; the face is not elderly; it is old. Hillary has the appearance of a woman every bit of her 67-years who has not been treated kindly by time.

If Hillary is elected president, she will be just under 70 when she struts into the Oval Office. In that position and at that age, the electorate has every right to know about her health and fitness. Dr. Lisa Bardack, her personal physician, said she is in “excellent physical condition.”

But rumors, leaks, and her past and present health issues tell a different story.

No. 1. Hillary's most serious health problem is the tendency of her blood to form thromboses or blood clots in the circulatory system. If a clot breaks free and blocks an artery, it can cause a heart attack or a stroke.

Hillary has had five probable strokes that we know of: 1998, 2001, 2005, 2009, and 2012. The last episode was life threatening.

The former First Lady was admitted to New York Presbyterian hospital because of an injury caused by fainting. A CT-scan revealed a venous sinus thrombosis or a blood clot in her brain. She was prescribed the blood thinner, Coumadin, which successfully dissolved the clot. Bill Clinton said, “it took her six months to recover from that.”

No. 2. Her next physical concern is a constellation of symptoms that indicate a debilitating disease.

Hillary has complained of blinding headaches, memory lapses, extreme fatigue, double vision, shaking, and depression. Taken individually these ailments can be treated or at least tolerated. But taken as a whole, they point to multiple sclerosis or MS.

MS is a progressive disease that attacks the nerves of the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves. In some victims, it can cause paralysis. Does Hillary have MS? Dr. Stuart Fischer, MD, said: “Her fainting, blackouts, headaches, and collapses are consistent with serious vascular blood flow problems to her brain.” However, they are also consistent with MS.

No. 3. The Democratic front-runner might have an addiction problem.

In his book, Unlikable, author Ed Klein cites sources saying that Hillary downed four or five drinks a day and quoted her saying to her daughter, Chelsea, “I'm an alcoholic. Please help me.”

No. 4. All this is enough to keep one awake at night. That's what might be causing Hillary's insomnia.

The presidential candidate complains about bouts of sleeplessness that sap her energy just when she needs it the most. But sleeping pills were of no help. Hillary complained they made her feel groggy the next day.

No. 5. Hillary's hypothyroidism coupled with insomnia is a recipe for crippling exhaustion.

Some of the symptoms of an under-active thyroid are extreme fatigue, puffy face, depression, impaired memory, and, oh yes, thinning hair. Hillary takes desiccated thyroid pills, an extract taken from the thyroid gland of pigs.

Last, No. 6. Hillary has endometriosis.

Endometriosis occurs when the lining of the uterus is found outside the uterus, usually in the pelvic area causing pain and discomfort. Some studies postulate that this disease indicates a dysfunctional immune system and an increased risk of developing cancer.

There are dozens of drugs prescribed to treat the symptoms of this condition, but it is not known if Hillary is taking any of these palliatives. Transparency is not her strong suit. It's one of many unknowns in Hillary's medical history, and it's likely to remain that way.

In July of 2014, ABC's Diane Sawyer asked Hillary, “If you run for president, would you then release your medical records?” “I would do what other candidates have done [release my medical records], absolutely,” she said. Absolutely?

We're still waiting, Hillary.

Sincerely,

Bob Scroggins

New Milford, PA

It makes no sense.  How in the world can anyone think that Donald Trump has anything at all to offer?

Rather than dissecting Donald, perhaps I should analyze his following.  It has taken on the nature of a religious cult.  Nothing he says, no matter how stupid or evil, bothers them in the least.  Nothing causes them to say, “That’s enough.  He’s gone too far.  I’m through with him!”  I really think he could get away with having a dead hooker found in his bed.  Like any god, the normal, moral laws simply don’t apply.

Something is seriously wrong when shooting from the hip, totally unconcerned about the consequences, he is touted as an asset.  This leads to absurdities like praising Vladimir Putin.  This is the same Putin that Trump bragged he (unlike Obama) could stand up to, but a little flattery from the Russian tyrant and Trump totally caves.  Is this the kind of leadership Trump worshipers want?

They should also wonder (but they don’t) if it’s a good idea to elevate a man who unthinkingly confirms, to the Muslim world, that our efforts against terrorism are merely a War on Islam itself.  Or whether we need a guy in charge that is an ever-present threat to cause a major international incident.  Oh, I forgot— we’re the Big Bad US of A, we don’t have to care what the rest of the world thinks.  To care is only a sign of weakness.

In addition to the thrill they get from his undisciplined verborrhea, Trump fans think his bluster and bullying would make him a more effective leader in getting things done here.  (Things such as??)  Another celebrity non-politician, Arnold Schwarzenegger, tried that approach when he first became governor, calling the legislature “girly men”.  It didn’t work there and it won’t work in Washington.  We should recall what Harry Truman said about his successor:  “Poor Ike.  It won’t be like the Army.  He’ll say, ‘Do this, do that’ and nothing will happen.”  Trump would find it the same.  It won’t at all be like running a business.  So his experience there is irrelevant.

So again, what does Trump Messiah have to offer, besides a slew of negative and unproductive character defects?  And what’s ailing people who see these as positive?

Sincerely,

Stephen Van Eck

Rushville, PA