We often hear from President Obama that this is a “do-nothing” Congress. In fact, he has taken it upon himself to act without its authority and without the authority of the Constitution to get things done. Of course, he is telling us it is for our own good.
However, we need to study this charge a little more closely to see the facts. If we look at the Senate, the accusation has some merit. It has been more than 1,000 days since the Senate has passed a budget.
But in the U.S. House, there is an impressive record of accomplishment. It has passed 27 bills that would help to create jobs and get our economy growing. Some of these include: the Small Company Formation Act, EPA Regulatory Relief Act, Protecting Jobs from Government Interference Act and the Restarting American Offshore Leasing Act.
These bills have not been brought up for a vote in the Senate, and with Sen. Harry Reid in control, they probably won’t be. But they are what America needs to get moving in the right direction.
The Republican House has not limited itself to creating legislation to move our economy ahead, it has also tackled the spending problem. It has come up with 55 proposed spending cuts that would save $2.5 trillion over 10 years. Some of these cuts include: Corporation for Public Broadcasting subsidy, $445 million annual savings; Amtrak subsidies, $40 billion; cut federal travel budget in half, $7.5 billion annual savings.
It would not take a congregation of masterminds to devise an exotic scheme to get our economy on track. What’s needed is for government to drastically reduce spending, cut taxes, remove stifling regulations on industries and open up our vast natural energy resources.
The problem is, we have a difference of views over what is good for our nation. There are those who believe that a bigger, more controlling government which limits our freedom is what’s best for us. This is socialism, a system that has always impoverished its people.
The other view is one that wants to hang on to the true meaning of the Constitution, which means less government and more freedom. It was this latter view that allowed us to build the greatest nation on earth, which gave us the highest standard of living ever known and from which many nations of the world benefited. It is for this we must fight, before it is too late.
Loretta Hurite
Cuyahoga Falls
A defining choice in November
The U.S. government borrows trillions of dollars from China, which will someday have to be paid back by our children or grandchildren, with interest.
Much of this largesse is distributed to states, counties and other government entities. I will concede that some of these monies support worthwhile projects; however, I am also sure there is waste, fraud, pork and political payback.
As these federal funds are reduced, our local governments then threaten their citizens with reductions of police and fire forces and the elimination of school programs such as busing, athletics and the arts.
Due to this, local citizens feel coerced to vote for tax increases to cover these basic needs.
Neither George Washington nor Abraham Lincoln had the unanimous support of the people, but these two leaders did many things to benefit our country.
This November will undoubtedly be the most important election of our lifetimes, deciding whether we will continue to be a strong, vibrant country or slip into the dismal abyss of European-style socialism.
It will be interesting to see which political party jumps at the opportunity to extend the payroll tax cut.
Harry S. Mykrantz
Wooster
Common sense and birth control
The Obama administration made a sound medical and health policy decision to protect access to affordable birth control for millions of women by rejecting efforts to further expand the refusal provision in the birth-control coverage benefit.
This common-sense decision means that millions of women who would otherwise pay $15 to $50 a month will have access to affordable birth control, helping them save hundreds of dollars each year, including more than 30,000 women who received some form of prescription birth control from Planned Parenthood of Northeast Ohio at its 13 centers last year.
Doctors and public health experts agree that increased access to birth control is one of the best ways to prevent unintended pregnancies. And it improves health outcomes for women and their families.
Birth control is a health-care issue and an economic issue. The Obama administration’s decision means more women will be able to access this important health care benefit.
Tara Broderick
President and chief executive
Planned Parenthood of Northeast Ohio
Akron
Pay less, expect less
I was wondering if the two-tier pay system in the new Timken contract also has a two-tiered expectation clause.
If not, then no wonder the Steelworkers rejected it.
The less the company was willing to pay those lower-tier workers, the less the management should have been allowed to demand of them.
But, as we all know, that would never happen.
When I was in high school, I worked at Master Anodizers in Bedford. The foreman there was always asking the floor sweeper to fill in on the line, which he was willing to do, as long as he got the higher racker/packer pay rate.
But then, we were under the United Auto Workers union.
Ray Crim
Akron
A Girl Scout compromise
When the story broke about the plan to sell some of the Girl Scout camps, an article stated that a few of the troops intended to boycott the cookie sales in protest (“Girl Scouts weigh cookie campaign,” Jan. 9).
I’m thinking: Well, that’s just shooting themselves in the foot. The council does depend on the income to maintain its camp sites. Less participation in the sales efforts would further reduce that revenue stream.
I was faced with a dilemma. Do I make a donation directly to the troop so it gain increased funds for camping but decrease the amount available to maintain the camps?
Or do I buy the cookies knowing the troop will realize only a small pittance from the boxes I buy?
So I reached a compromise. I decided to buy some cookies after all. But then I would match the cost of the cookies with a contribution directly to the troop as well. Hopefully a win-win situation. Perhaps other readers will join me in “supporting our troops” in this way.
Craig Erskine
Stow
Lego League builds diversity
I read with great interest the Jan. 16 article on the First Lego League district tournament (“Kids brainy about ’bots at local Lego tournament”). I had the pleasure of volunteering in both the Shaker Heights local and Akron regional tournament. It was great, and the kids give you reason to renew your hope in our country.
Sadly, I feel obliged to point out a glaring omission. There were boys involved, which the article did not mention. Every comment was from or about the girls.
The only picture that contained a male participant actually ignored his presence and noted a coach cheering her team on. Ironically, the boy pictured was on the pictured coach’s team and was a fine representative of her good work.
I found the boys to be every bit as intelligent, dedicated and kind as the female participants.
Besides presenting a balanced article, it is important for our country that all children, regardless of their demographics, are encouraged to choose science as a career, since the pool of minorities and women is just not large enough to fill the ever-increasing need for these occupations.
I want to thank the fine people who put on the tournament and the sponsor (Lego) for allowing me the privilege of participating. Now that I have experienced the tournament, I plan to offer my services for as long as they will have me.
Jim Sekerak
Barberton
Mandel steps up
I was pleased to read the Jan. 18 article, “Treasurer says he’s cut $1.2 million from budget,” about the Ohio treasurer’s office reducing its budget by $1.2 million and returning a $400,000 surplus to the state.
This type of common-sense leadership is a breath of fresh air. Many politicians grapple over who can receive even more unnecessary funding for the next big project, with no real plan on how to pay for it in the immediate or distant future.
I am glad to see Treasurer Josh Mandel step up to the plate and not accept the status quo. I wish there were more responsible elected officials such as Mandel. Others could learn from his example.
William D. Albright
Akron
