We all must work to maintain our independence

As we celebrate Independence Day today, let us not forget the men and women serving in the U.S. armed forces who are deployed overseas. Let us, as true American citizens, celebrate their service, devotion and time away from their families, so that we may celebrate and enjoy this holiday knowing that these men and women make it all possible.

Though we may be free and independent from foreign rule, we as American citizens are dependent on foreign goods for various reasons and foreign petroleum for much of our transportation needs, which is costly.

Yes, we as American citizens embrace our independence. We salute and thank the members of our armed forces, who ensure our freedom from terror and foreign aggression.

Yes, we as American citizens must continue to strive to work for our independence on the home front. To be free from our dependence on foreign goods of all kinds is a fight we must continue to wage.

Yes, we American citizens are proud to celebrate our independence this day. Let us all work for the freedoms we know we must achieve.

Happy Fourth of July, America!

RALPH J. STOKAN
Charleroi

---

Nonprofit value

Amy Hart and Diana Bucco have presented excellent arguments for the tax-exempt status of nonprofit organizations ("In Defense of Nonprofits," June 18 Midweek Perspectives). Here are additional points to consider:

First, just because an organization is "nonprofit" does not mean that it doesn't pay taxes! A real estate tax would be dwarfed by the amount of taxes currently paid by the employees of a nonprofit. The small staff of the Keystone Paralyzed Veterans of America, for example, pays approximately seven times as much in wage taxes as taxing our property would generate.

Second, the essence of a for-profit enterprise is to generate revenues above expenses for owners. Nonprofits are not owned, but are overseen by a board of trustees, who usually do not receive compensation. Any surplus that a nonprofit generates is reinvested or is held as a cushion against hard times or emergencies.

Third, the services delivered by nonprofits in our region are a very long, diverse list. For example, among them is our organization's service to military veterans who have lost the use of limbs and other physical functions due to spinal cord injury or disease. Go to the Web site of the Greater Pittsburgh Nonprofit Partnership (www.forbesfunds.org/gpnp) to see the services of the largest regional association of nonprofit organizations in the United States.

Relief from real estate taxes is a small consideration for the services that our region's nonprofit community delivers to myriad beneficiaries.

JOSEPH W. DORNBROCK
Executive Director
Keystone Paralyzed Veterans of America
Sharpsburg

---

Unions matter

I am always amused when readers write in to complain about what union workers make. They whine about how union workers receive higher wages and better benefits. These are probably the same individuals who argue that unions are no longer necessary.

Don't they get it? That is why labor unions were formed in the first place. Given a collective voice, workers can actually negotiate their salaries, benefits, etc. instead of having to accept whatever pittance the company decides to give.

Now more than ever, workers need to organize so they can stand up to the greed of corporate America and the Wal-Marts of the world.

In the meantime, all you whiners who think the bus drivers have it made, there may be 231 openings in the near future ("Port Authority Seeks 231 New Hires to Fill Gap," June 7). Put in your application. It's the job of your "dreams."

KAREN TAMBELLINI
McDonald

---

Worth their pay

In response to Rosemary Kenny's June 24 letter ("Port Authority Union Members Need to Get Real"): I understand many people think Port Authority drivers get far more than they deserve in the way of pay, benefits, compensation, etc.; however, I would say there is a good chance that the same people who are upset about what bus drivers make are the same people complaining that many nonprofessional workers don't make enough money.

For years, Port Authority employees have made a decent living, but they by no means have been getting rich (unless you consider the overtime). They've made enough to support their families without the use of government aid. Why is that so horrible?

As for the retirement argument, with the proper savings and pension plans, some people can retire after 25 years, but realistically, how many people begin their careers or savings at 21 years old (let's include the Port Authority workers)? Not many.

As for health care, I think all working Americans deserve free health care, so why be jealous of Port Authority workers for having a good union? Let us not forget the health risks of driving a bus such as muscle injury, possible wrecks and long-term effects such as deep vein thrombosis, to name a few.

So before people envy the Port Authority for having a good union, they need to think about the job these workers do -- they get harassed by unruly passengers, and they drive Allegheny County to work. Without them, I am confident to say this county couldn't function, as many of us couldn't get to work, school or the store.

JACKIE MERRANKO
Morningside

---

Opened the door

State Rep. Daryl Metcalfe is being portrayed in the media as a villain, but the question I have not heard asked is this: Why on earth was the House even considering the endorsement of a faith-based event in the first place ("Resolution Derailed by One Lawmaker's Anti-Muslim Remark," June 19)? That was the true violation of the separation of church and state, not Mr. Metcalfe's response.

The House broke down the wall and opened the door for Mr. Metcalfe to express his own religious views. What about the representatives who agreed with the proposal, because they believe that Islam is a legitimate and/or worthwhile religion? Where's the outrage toward them?

A positive statement about any one faith goes against separation just as much as a negative one does. If we truly believe in a strong division between religion and government, it doesn't just mean that elected officials can't say anything bad about a particular faith; it means they can't say anything nice, either.

If the House had been minding the business of government, then Mr. Metcalfe never would have had an opportunity or reason to express his personal views.

CATHY KOWALKOWSKI
Arnold

---

Miscasting Penn

It is ironic that Rep. Daryl Metcalfe would cite William Penn in his defense of speaking out against the resolution to salute Muslims ("He Said What?" June 30). As an early Quaker, Mr. Penn was arrested several times for his religious beliefs; one case established the use of the writ of habeas corpus to free those unlawfully detained. (I know this is a peculiar idea in President Bush's administration.)

Mr. Penn founded Pennsylvania as a place with freedom of religion. I doubt that he would agree with Mr. Metcalfe.

COLETTE MONIER-COUGHLIN
Mt. Lebanon

---

America needs a sound energy policy, not politics

The single most important basis for our long-term security and well-being is not our policy toward terrorism but, rather, our policy toward energy.

American predominance in recognizing and developing the potential of petroleum set the stage for the long period of American prosperity and dominance that we have enjoyed throughout our lives. The age of petroleum, however, is coming to a close and it is essential that we develop a national energy policy to make the transition between petroleum and the energy sources that are to come.

The task of developing a forward-looking energy policy cannot be a partisan endeavor. The squabbling we hear now between Sens. Barack Obama and John McCain over offshore drilling adequately illustrates the failure of partisan politics in that regard. Offshore drilling will not provide any meaningful amounts of oil to our economy for five to 10 years and, consequently, will not provide any relief from high gas prices now (advantage: Obama). But it might be worthwhile to pursue offshore drilling provided it can be done without undue environmental risk, the oil produced is not put on the global market but is used for domestic consumption, and it is taxed so that energy resource and development can be pursued here in the United States (advantage: McCain).

But what we really need to discuss is a long-term, comprehensive, national energy policy that will move us into the post-petroleum era (advantage: USA). We have a great deal of technological ability, but we need to apply it in a directed and coherent fashion to determine how we will develop the future energy sources that our society will need. And the only way to accomplish that is to develop an energy policy that is American, not "Republicrat."

JOHN M. MIER
Leetsdale

---