Gov. John Kasich and legislative leaders held a year-end press conference touting their accomplishments during 2012.
Regarding his proposal to leverage the Ohio Turnpike to borrow $1.5 billion to fund other road projects, the governor was asked if Ohio should be borrowing more money.
“There is an appropriate amount of debt that can be added to an asset to unlock its value,” Kasich began.
Then, with trademark modesty and humility, he continued: “That’s something that people who don’t know anything about economics, finance, or jobs, have a hard time understanding. Have them come see me.”
Really? Did Kasich really say that about economics and finance? So, if we go see him, we’ll learn how Ohio pensions lost $480 million invested with Lehman Brothers, where Kasich was a managing director.
Kasich is the smartest guy in the room, any room. Just ask him.
Not the best interests of Ohioans, certainly not his spineless GOP legislative allies and definitely not Ohio’s Constitution will stop Kasich from doing what’s best for Kasich, although even his most fervent acolytes must surely grow weary of his frequent massaging of his own grotesquely outsized ego.
Go see him? Heaven help us.
Chris Crowe
Canfield
Full house for the Zips
I am very disappointed and shocked that students at the University of Akron and members of our community are not more behind the men’s basketball team (“Hot Zips stoking passion for basketball in students,” Feb. 15).
We have not gone to any games because I thought that Rhodes Arena would have been full and it would have been next to impossible to get tickets. I am shocked to find out the opposite is true.
Our community, and especially the students of UA, should feel very sick that they have not jumped on the men’s basketball team bandwagon.
The team is doing very well and should be rewarded with a full house at each game.
Many years ago, when I was a student, I even went to Evansville, Ind., to support the team. It would certainly be a shame if they did not get invited to “March Madness,” but that is a real possibility.
Gary Conner
Akron
Learn from the pope
Pope Benedict is retiring.
How thoughtful of him to leave on his own rather than stay until he dies.
Now if only some members of the U.S. House and Senate would follow his lead, leaving while they can still walk out the door and not need someone to constantly remind them of where it is they’re going.
While I wouldn’t make the mistake of voting for term limits again, I would support mandatory retirement for all government workers up to and including the president.
Ray Crim
Akron
Betrayal
In response to the tiresome and verbose Feb. 15 letter on drone strikes killing Americans believed to be members of al-Qaida (“Oversight for drone strikes”), I can only respond with one word: treason.
Those who have chosen to betray our country should be considered enemy combatants and should face a firing squad. That covers both justice and deterrence. Enough of being soft on terrorists.
Victoria Todd-Smith
Stow
Birthday of honor
Monday was not George Washington’s birthday, despite what labor unions, school administrators and merchants say.
Celebrating Washington’s birthday on any other day than Feb. 22 does not honor George Washington.
Shifting the day for the sake of convenience is a sign of weakness in society.
Washington’s birthday is only important because it’s a free day.
Robert M. Kraus
Akron
