Donald Trump, a phony Christian, has oddly won the approval of many less phony ones.  It's clear they've gotten into his pompadour-protected noggin, since he's made a point of denouncing the Johnson Amendment to the IRS Code.

To recap:  In 1954 Lyndon Johnson got an amendment passed that prohibited non-profit organizations (like churches) from engaging in partisan politics using tax-exempt funds.  This got through with nary a whimper of protest.

But starting in the late-70's, Fundamentalists got more political, and since then they've sometimes (not often enough) gotten into trouble for violating this sensible rule.  Some want to repeal it, so they can be more explicitly political while being subsidized for it, and Trump now panders to their cause.

In this effort, they usually lie about the Amendment's effects.  They'll complain that they are not allowed to address moral issues with political implications from the pulpit, and thus their First Amendment rights are being denied.  But this isn't the case.  They're perfectly able to address moral issues.  What they can't do is say, "Vote for Candidate X" or "Don't vote for Candidate Y"

Interesting how obsessive moralists find it so easy to tell a blatant lie, repeatedly.

Abstaining from partisan politics is a fair price to pay for the gift (not entitlement) of tax exemption.  Why should the government subsidize the political activity of anyone?  But if they want to be reduced to a cog in a political machine, then they should pay their taxes like anyone else.

If certain Fundamentalists had their way, churches (and only churches) would have the special privilege of government-subsidized politicking.  Other non-profits, such as environmental organizations, would still be bound.  What they're demanding is government favoritism and subsidy.  This would go a long way toward making our system more of a theocracy.  And theocracy is what CS Lewis (the outstanding Christian apologist of the 20th century) called "the worst type of government".  We've seen how it works in Iran.

Surveys show that the vast majority of churchgoers don't want their churches telling them who to vote for (or against).  Ministers who want to do this are cheapening their faith.  They (and Trump) need to wise up, but I won't hold my breath.

Sincerely,

Stephen Van Eck

Rushville, PA

There’s no denying it; Trump has a knack for cutting nicknames. Remember Pocahontas for Elizabeth Warren, Little Marco for Marco Rubio, and Low Energy for Jeb Bush? But none hit so close to the nerve as Crooked for Hillary Clinton.

Madam Hillary’s inauspicious career began in 1974. Then, as a 27-year-old fresh out of law school, she was hired and promptly fired by her supervisor, Jerry Zeifman, from Watergate committee investigating President Nixon.

Why? “Because she was a liar.” said Zeifman. “She was an unethical, dishonest lawyer. She conspired to violate the Constitution , the rules of the House, the rules of the committee and the rules of confidentiality.” That was 42 years ago, at the beginning of her life in the shady side of the street.

But I’m getting ahead of myself.

Soon after, Bill Clinton met and married Hillary, in 1979 and their partnership grew to a business association that was as successful as when Prctor teamed up with Gamble, albeit a seamy one.

It began when Bill was elected governor of Arkansas in 1978. His successful campaign was funded by Tyson Foods. In return, Tyson Foods received tax breaks, favorable legislation, and environmental easements.

Bill’s gubernatorial salary was $25,000/year. Hillary landed a job with Rose Law Firm at $24,250. In today’s dollars, that would be equivalent to receiving $80,000 each. But the two shysters soon found a way to quadruple Bill’s income.

Why Don Tyson needed a favor, Bill was his go-to-guy. Tyson wanted to replace his workers with illegal immigrants. How exactly Bill greased the skids for Tyson’s illegals is not clear, but the mutual interests of both parties were served.

The only question was how to land Tyson’s dirty pay-off money to clean currency? The answer was to make Hillary a genius in cattle futures. Hillary, who was also Tyson’s lawyer, invested $1,000 in cattle futures. Ten months later that venture netted the Clinton’s $100.000, or in today’s dollars, $370,000.

Sincerely,

Bob Scroggins

New Milford, PA

On June 26, 2016 an open house was held at the Grange Hall, in Gibson, to honor Richard G. Cottrell and his thirty-five years of service for the Township of Ararat.  Richard was supervisor for many years and his dedication to this community is truly appreciated.  A warm welcome, hot and cold buffet and beverages were offered to the family, friends and co-workers who attended the gathering.

Two things came to my attention while attending this gathering. First, the Township of Ararat did not host the event.  People of Ararat came together to make this happen. The plans were discussed and decided an open invitation to this event was to be published two weeks prior in various local newspapers. All were welcomed.  Second was the newly elected official taking over Mr. Cottrell’s position did not attend.

The Township should be ashamed of not hosting an event, such as this, to honor their workers.  I would only hope that one would be able to put personal differences or grudges aside and be civil for co –workers who are being honored for years of service to our community.  Actions like these reflect upon the township.

Once again, I would like to say Thank you, Mr. Richard Cottrell for the duties you performed over the last 35 plus years, to keep our small town of Ararat safe and friendly. A big Thank you, to those people that thought enough of Mr. Cottrell to make this event happen.

Sincerely,

Pam Johnson

Ararat Township, PA

Starrucca borough has spent hundreds of thousands of dollars, fortunes of intellectual wealth, years of countless hours, only to end up in law suit after law suit trying to do what is best for whose best interest?

This is NOT about making intellectual decisions based on what is morally and ethically correct for the people of Starrucca

This is NOT about the duties and responsibilities one is sworn under oath to fulfill as a council member for the people of Starrucca

This is about one man's rights and privilege in his quest to use the system for his own best interest

This is about the character of a man and the "virtues" he is promoting and collecting for his own individual greatness

This is about one man's political power struggle and his ability to influence, persuade or outright control the decisions of others.

Like those entitled to "drink bottled Perrier water while collecting food stamps" at the expense of the taxpayers who fund our welfare system

This certainly is NOT and never has been about what is BEST for Starrucca and its tax paying citizens.

For many of us, the fundamental question of ethics is, "What should I do?" or "How should I act?" Actually, the fundamental question of ethics is not "What should I do?" but "What kind of person should I be?"

Ethics is supposed to provide us with "moral principles" or universal rules that tell us what to do.

Moral principles focus primarily on people's actions and doings of right and wrong behavior and the goodness or badness of human character. "Virtues" are attitudes, dispositions, or character traits that enable us to be and to act.

The Buck Bridge project was a disgrace and an embarrassment for the taxpayers of Starrucca. FEMA wall monies were grossly mismanaged and then sent back to the state and FEMA road monies were misused. The directors of the Cemetery deed themselves a part of the cemetery property and an easement, cut tress and erect fence on neighbor's property. They ignore a proposal to upgrade the easement road to the cemetery and a proposed land swap which would add great value for all members of the Starrucca Cemetery. Today, we are challenged with property boundary lines being changed within the borough and filing a resolution to put one's self inside the boundary lines of Starrucca.

Each and every act of greatness, performed by the same ethical group of people, driven by the moral principle and virtues they share. Law suit after law suit we the people of Starrucca spend our money to undo what they continue to do.

Today, Mr. Haynes is suing Starrucca Borough for not maintaining "his" Kellogg Road and the "violation of his civil rights"

The borough's Insurance company dropped Starrucca boroughs coverage because of Mr Haynes lawsuit against the borough.

Today`s Starrucca, led by Daryl Haynes and Kirk Rhone and their cult of followers are once again in control of Starrucca counsel.

Today, the majority of Starrucca council members are willing to pay Mr Haynes $ 100,000.00 of our tax money.

This time it's not the bridge to "nowhere" it's a dirt road to "nowhere".

Virtues are developed through learning and through practice. Once they are acquired, they become habitual characteristic of a person. A person's character traits are not developed in isolation, but within and by the communities to which he or she belongs, including family, church, school, and other private and public associations.

As people grow and mature, their personalities are deeply affected by the values that their communities prize, by the personality traits that their communities encourage, and by the role models that their communities put forth for imitation through stories, performances and acts.

What are we doing, How is this allowed to continue? Is this the Legacy we want to leave behind? Are these the habits and characteristics we want to encourage and instill in our children for generations to come?

Anyone who realizes what is truly going on have walked away a long time ago, choosing to no longer get involved. The  Several others have tried individually to end this "self-serving borough council", only to find themselves in a lawsuit.  It is time to stop sitting back.   It is time to get involved.  Let's not sit back and await the next performance to take place…. so the media can make another mockery of Starrucca.

I think it is about time the people of Starrucca stand up once and for all and do what is right for the people of Starrucca.  Together we can change what is going on, once and for All!

Send your comments to starrucca.standup@gmail.com