Mackenzie backtracking on health care subsidies
I find it interesting that in the story of Dec. 9 “Mackenzie seeks health subsidies deal” there was no mention that Rep. Mackenzie voted for the bill that cut these tax credits, the so-called “Big Beautiful Bill.” Now he backtracked and on Dec. 17 signed his name to a plan to extend the credits for three years because he knows his earlier vote would hurt his chances at reelection time in the midterms. He voted for the Big Beautiful Bill, now he should pay the price. He knew he was voting to not extend those tax credits but voted for it anyway. His party and President Trump have wanted to end the Affordable Care Act since Trump’s first term. Well, they cut the funding so now premiums will skyrocket.
Nathan Armstrong
Lower Macungie Township
Mackenzie not sincere about health care subsidies
In a recent edition of The Morning Call, readers were greeted by a headline that states Rep. Ryan Mackenzie is working with a bipartisan group of representatives to seek a health care subsidies deal.
This is the same Ryan Mackenzie who two months ago voted for “The Big Beautiful Bill,” which left out health care subsidies.
If he was that concerned about the subsidies he would have voted against the bill two months ago instead of signing on to this proposed compromise that has little or no chance of advancing. He knows this and this is just another political stunt from a man trying to save his job.
Does he think his constituents are that stupid?
Francis Tone
Palmer Township
Trump administration putting people at risk
Too many days as I read the morning paper, I think the Trump administration is trying to kill us all. I know we’re all going to die anyway but President Trump is rushing it. Taking away railroad safety. Doubling or tripling our health care premiums and costs, leaving many without health care. Destroying the environment. Rising costs forcing people to choose between food or heat. Discouraging vaccines that have been proven to be safe and effective. Then there’s the violence involving Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents.
I do not believe my friends and I will live long enough to see this country recover from damage this administration has done. I do have hope that the next generation will rise up with some intelligent leaders who will fix it for my grandchildren.
Shirley Zingone
Bushkill Township
Support Ryan Crosswell for Congress
It is not too soon to think about the 2026 midterm election of our 7th District representative to Congress. The primary is May 19, the general Nov. 4. On the Democratic side, five candidates seek their party’s nomination to unseat Rep. Mackenzie, a first-term Republican.
Ryan Crosswell is the Democrat who can win in both May and November. He served four years active duty in the Marines and continues as a lieutenant colonel in the Reserves, and 10 years as a federal prosecutor — including five years as a trial lawyer in the Public Integrity Division — with the U.S. Justice Department, until he and fellow prosecutors, true to their oath to the Constitution, resigned rather than dismissing a solid criminal case against Eric Adams, the New York City mayor (and Donald Trump buddy).
Congress needs representatives with integrity, who know and honor federal law concerning immigration, cybersecurity, corruption, armed conflict. Ryan Crosswell prosecuted criminals and has expertise in these areas, and if elected will fight to end the graft and cruelty of this administration. He will help restore constitutional checks and balances with Congress retaking its proper role as partner to the president, rather than his prisoner.
Find out more about Ryan at www.ryancrosswell.com.
Dodd Lamberton
Upper Saucon Township
Column on illegal orders very valuable
In the national cascade of misleading information, “alternative facts” and outright lies that assault us daily, comments based on expertise, intelligence, and solid truth are as valuable as they are necessary.
Thank you to Anthony Muir — an attorney and former Navy officer — for his Dec. 10 Your View column (“Military personnel have a right and a duty to disobey illegal orders”). Muir’s fact-based analysis, like every statement of simple truth, shines in the darkness and helps to lead us toward the light of principled thinking and ethical decision making. Thank you, Tony, for your military service and the service of your words and insights.
Carol D. Henn
Hanover Township, Northampton County
Trump should explain if tariff money is cutting debt
I’m an average American. I try to pay attention. I try to understand. My memory is that newly elected President Trump called rightful attention to an atrocious national debt now at $38 trillion.
And then President Trump imposed tariffs that he has continually and glibly claimed are pouring enormous amounts of money into the national treasury.
But where is that enormous amount of money going? He doesn’t say. What I would expect is a simple statement of fact following such a claim of how the tariffs are affecting/advancing the goal of reducing the national debt. That would be logical. That would be common sense.
But in August, Fortune magazine reported that the national debt had “soared” past $37 trillion, and in October PBS reported that the debt had exceeded $38 trillion.
I am an average American. I try to pay attention. I try to understand. How is the enormous influx of tariff dollars impacting President Trump’s honorable goal of reducing the national debt? This is what his tariff program primed us to expect. A simple, straightforward sentence of fact would do.
Edward Gallagher
Bethlehem
Trump cites nonsensical numbers on drug prices
During President Trump’s Dec. 2 Cabinet meeting, he claimed his administration has lowered drug prices “between 200% and 800%.” Those numbers caught my attention, because they don’t make mathematical sense.
If a prescription cost $100 in 2024, a 500% reduction would mean the consumer is owed $400. Percent reductions greater than 100% would imply that drug companies, or the government now owe money back to the patients.
So, I have a simple question for Sen. Dave McCormick and Rep. Ryan Mackenzie: If these claims are accurate, how are consumers supposed to request the refunds? Should they come from drug manufacturers or from the U.S. Treasury?
Robert Cichonski
Upper Macungie Township
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.
