With Trump’s economic plans coming into focus, Chester County must prepare for pain

By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times @mikemcgann.bsky.social If incoming President Donald Trump enacts some of the policies he says he’s going to, we can expect economic pain here in Chester County. A lot. Rounding up millions of immigrants (in some cases without regard to their citizenship or residency status) will devastate multiple local small businesses — crops will go unpicked, building projects...

When life refocuses you on what really matters

By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times @mikemcgann.bsky.social It’s at times like this when life slaps you in the forehead by surprise and refocuses you on what matters. As you read this, I’m at Paoli Hospital awaiting transfer Monday morning to Lankenau Hospital for quadruple coronary bypass on Wednesday. It is a bit scary (and amazingly all started with a back issue) and it tends to focus you on what...

Anger was the storm that blew away Democrats

By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times @mikemcgannpa Well, that could have gone better. For a myriad of reasons, Democrats nationally and around the commonwealth got their butts kicked in a way many — including me — didn’t see coming. Not surprisingly, finger pointing and angst are pervasive throughout the party right now as people want to assign blame for such a devastating loss, both with Kamala...

Op/Ed: Harris leadership — fiscally responsible and environmentally sustainable

By Erica Deuso, Special to The Times Erica Deuso Vice President Kamala Harris serves as a beacon of hope and resilience, leading transformative change for America amid pressing environmental and economic challenges. In this critical election cycle, the stakes have never been higher for the health of our planet and the financial security of American families. With a balanced, inclusive approach, Harris...

On the passing of a union leader — and political powerhouse

By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times @mikemcgannpa Sad news this week with the passing of Dave McLimans, president of the Chester County AFL-CIO Council. I’ve been lucky enough to know Dave for a couple of decades — he was the living example of “gruff, but lovable.” As the leading voice for union workers in the county, he was a key player in county Democratic politics. But he was more than that,...

Letters: Open Letter to Trump Supporters

To The Editor, At the risk of contradicting all of the “experts” who claim that there are very few votes up for grabs in this election, I believe that a thoughtful consideration of the facts, the truth, will convince all but the most blinded MAGA adherents that they cannot vote for Trump and must vote for Harris, even if they have some genuine policy concerns.  I am and have been a registered...

Op/Ed: Lazy, or intentional?

By Michele Truitt, Special to The Times Michele Truitt Political mailers. Annoying, costly, often dishonest. This is the case with one mailer in particular, sent by “The Democratic Party of PA”, on behalf of Carolyn Comitta. Shame on you, for once again, allowing an organization to deceive people on your behalf. Only cowards will say “I cannot control what another organization prints on their...

Op/Ed: Why Donald Trump is unfit to be President

By Christopher Kowerdovich, Special to The Times Christopher Kowerdovich As an Iraqi War Veteran, I know firsthand what true leadership, discipline, and service to our nation look like. We expect our leaders, both in the military and in politics, to uphold these principles. That’s why I feel the need to speak out about why Donald Trump is unfit for public office. Pennsylvania has nearly 65,000...

Op/Ed: Africa: The gold medal avoidance

Edmond W. Davis The Olympic Games, often celebrated as the epitome of global unity and athletic excellence, have a darker legacy that is rarely discussed — a legacy that traces back to the 1904 St. Louis, Mo., Olympics, marred by overt racism, exploitation and gross disorganization. African marathoners Jan Mashiani and Len Taunyane were South African athletes who were dehumanized and forced to participate...

Op/Ed: Bob Casey stands shoulder to shoulder with veterans

By Dave McLimans, Special To The Times Dave McLimans I’d been in the Army for two years by the time I arrived in Vietnam, but neither my training nor the stories of other soldiers prepared me for the devastation I encountered there. Just as chilling as the bombed-out buildings and exhausted troops were the huge swaths of jungle reduced to ghostly lunar landscapes by Agent Orange. My United Steelworkers...