(Letter to the Editor - Graphic Illustration/MetroCreativeConnection)

In the state of West Virginia, we are told that we have a surplus of money. I think what we have is a misuse of the tax money. Why do we have 656,860 poor people in our state? Why do we have pot holes on our state roads? Why do many communities have unsafe drinking water? Why don’t we have a $15 minimum wage?

With the passage of the 2021 infrastructure law, which was supported by both of our senators, $16 million has been awarded to West Virginia University and University of SD to study ways to extract critical minerals needed for batteries from coal mine waste streams. Why are they so upset that coal plants will be closed?

I guess I am just too woke to see the destruction caused by the tornadoes, flooding, snowstorms, drought, etc. in our country. Our elected officials need to take the blinders from their eyes and see that we have caused this climate crisis by our use of fossil fuels. Yes, I have loved my cars and loved to rev them up. My record of speeding tickets can affirm this. But now I am delighted that because of the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act, I can get a tax credit for purchasing an electric car, and my neighbors can get some help with installing solar panels to their home or farm.

I guess the only answer is greed. When you have your fingers in the pot of coal, you do not want to do anything to mess with the lifestyle to which you have become accustomed. Our elected officials need to work for us. I see pictures of Sen. Capito and Sen. Manchin visiting different places but not one shows them at a soup kitchen, food pantry, unemployment office or homeless shelter. That goes for Representative Mooney and our state delegates and senators as well. Instead of trying to pass laws about medical procedures, they need to concentrate on ways to help people have food, clothing, shelter and proper health care by trained medical people.

Margaret Meeker

Williamstown