Lehigh Valley drivers need to show a little patience
My lifelong dream, attending Bethlehem’s Bach Festival, became reality this year, surpassing my expectations. We enjoyed Jamaican and Turkish restaurants as well as the Allentown Farmers Market and the Udder Bar. The Moravian Village tour gave us the rich history of the town and, of course, the festival itself (the 118th) was outstanding.
I would change very little about the trip — except the reactions of some drivers in Bethlehem. I had never driven in Pennsylvania before; I was in a rental car (with Pennsylvania tags) on unfamiliar streets, being mindful of one-way roads and signs prohibiting right-hand turns on red. Also, driving entailed following GPS and, at times, wondering if we should follow it. Furthermore, I was trying to take in my surroundings — nature, lovely architecture, etc. Sometimes, the aforementioned factors made me sit at an intersection or traffic light for a couple of extra seconds, and some motorists were highly irritated and impatient.
Because of the trip, I will be a more sensitive, considerate driver when tourists visit our town of Chattanooga, Tennessee. They support our local economy, and we appreciate them. Let’s all be a little more patient with others, especially out-of-state drivers.
— Betsy Chesney, Chattanooga, Tennessee
Allentown dirt bike law enforcement lacking
South Allentown residents are working class people who wake up early to do the work that keeps the Lehigh Valley moving. They deserve better than the lackadaisical approach the current administration has taken on the enforcement of laws regarding dirt bikes and scooters. To the credit of the Allentown Police Department, disbursement of crowds of these riders is prompt when reported but this does little to actually solve the issue. So far this year Allentown had impounded only 14 dirt bikes. This figure is embarrassing. Cities like New York have made public spectacles of the mass impoundment and destruction of these illegal vehicles. Solving this issue comes down to whether this administration has the political will to make it happen, but it can be done. Our mayor won reelection against a candidate who made quality-of-life concerns a cornerstone of his campaign. It’s time for the mayor to show he can deliver on more than just lip service to the taxpaying residents who ask only for the dignity of a good night’s sleep
— Jason Romano, Allentown
Don’t defend billionaires who exploit workers
I’m surprised The Morning Call published Bloomberg’s op-ed “Taxing the wealthy won’t reduce their power” May 29 without a rebuttal, so I’m offering one now.
The author claims that taxes are bad economics that discourage entrepreneurship and job creation. She’s also distressed that people are directing their anger at the wealthy.
Just a few weeks ago, we witnessed the parade of overpriced clothing at the Met Gala, an event sponsored by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos. To draw attention to Amazon’s poor treatment of their workers, activists placed small vials of yellow liquid around the Metropolitan Museum’s exhibits to remind people that Amazon drivers don’t get bathroom breaks. They have to urinate into bottles in the backs of their trucks.
In 2011, an Amazon warehouse in Upper Macungie Township was exposed for hiring private ambulances to treat employees for heat exhaustion because that was cheaper than paying to air condition the building.
It is sad to see today’s editors publishing columns that defend billionaires instead of standing up for the workers they exploit.
— Becky Bartlett, Upper Nazareth Township
Politicians ignore the common good
Solomon D. Stevens’ article in the May 26 Morning Call included the following: “our declaration [of Independence] reminds us that politics is about protecting rights. It is not about promoting one political agenda or another. It is not about ‘winning’ in a competition between one political party and another.”
Unfortunately, I do not believe that ideal exists in our country today. It is not a problem of politics. There have always been differences of opinion for attaining certain goals or even the goals themselves. The problem is politicians. Too often today politicians play an extreme game of politics for the purpose of getting reelected rather than benefiting the common good. I am old enough to remember times when the idea of the common good was sometimes enough to triumph over personal ambitions. I don’t see this happening today, regardless of political party. It seems that the words cooperation and compromise are almost expletives. Even common decency often goes by the wayside.
While never perfect, in our 250 years I believe we have improved in adhering to the country’s ideals. We must now do our best to reject the self-serving extremism that infects our country today.
— David J. Nowack, Allentown
Proposed new currency a waste of money
The U.S. Treasury ceased minting the 1-cent coin because the manufacturing cost exceeds the face value. How do we justify the design and subsequent costs involved with the creation of the newly proposed $250 bill when there is only six months left in 2026 to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary? This is the epitome of a vanity project and misuse of taxpayers’ money.
— Chris Andrews, Allentown
The Morning Call publishes letters from readers online and in print several times a week. Submit a letter to the editor at letters@mcall.com. The views expressed in this piece are those of its individual author(s), and should not be interpreted as reflecting the views of this publication.
Happy birthday America!
It’s been 250 years since the Continental Congress meeting in Philadelphia declared on July 4, 1776, that all men have “certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”
With the country’s anniversary fast approaching we would like to hear what those words suggest to you and what it means to be an American two and a half centuries later.
Please submit replies of 200 words or less to the editor at letters@mcall.com. The Morning Call will run the best replies as we approach the holiday.