I wonder what kind of water Bobbie Sigmond is drinking in Wadsworth (“Sutton and her liberal record,” June 8).
U.S. Rep. Betty Sutton’s vote on Obamacare was the correct thing to do. For years, the increasing cost of medical care far exceeded inflation. Medical care in the United States is far down on the international list of quality and accessibility. Something had to change.
The bailouts of the auto industry saved over a million jobs. Ohio’s unemployment rate is below the national average, and, to a big degree, that is due to the resurgence of the auto industry.
The bailout of Wall Street — the Troubled Asset Relief Program — was initiated by Preisdent Bush’s administration and endorsed by President Obama.
Does Sigmond realize what would have occurred without TARP? Trillions of dollars in pensions would have been lost.
These programs, plus the federal stimulus program, prevented our country from a full-blown depression. As one who grew up in the Great Depression, I’m overjoyed that another depression was averted. I’m also thankful Sutton did the right thing in voting for these programs.
Sigmond should change her sources of information and the water she’s drinking.
James H. Trapkin
Akron
Hey buddy, can you spare an ordinance?
How gullible is Summit County Councilman John Schmidt? He seems to think that the panhandlers currently plaguing Montrose really are poor, downtrodden and homeless.
Has it ever occurred to him that many, if not most, of them are simply con artists scamming the public?
Last week, there was a panhandler at the exit of the Montrose Lowe’s. There was also a large “Help Wanted” sign in Lowe’s window. I don’t think the panhandler was interested; he might be expected to work.
Councilwoman Eileen Shapiro’s suggestion that the county offer panhandlers job training seems equally out of touch. Offering job training only works if they want to find a job.
The Summit County Council needs to stop playing around and do its job. It should pass a law that drives these charlatans off our curbs and sidewalks.
Michael Grove
Copley Township
False promise of austerity
As the daily drama unfolds in Europe, let us hope our politicians learn something about the false promise of austerity measures. Unemployment is skyrocketing in many countries. If young people begin to view their situation as hopeless, they will listen to any voice that promises quick solutions, but those solutions will not be quick or easy. Everyone will have to sacrifice if the European Community is to hold together.
In America, we are also facing severe debt problems along with high unemployment, and some politicians are eager to drastically cut programs. Unfortunately, in a fragile economic recovery, this would make the situation worse, just like what Europe is experiencing. Let’s hope that common sense will prevail and we begin on a long-term path that eventually results in fiscal sanity.
Any politician or demagogue who pretend to have immediate solutions need to be specific, clear and accountable, or they will be exposed for frauds.
William E. Raymond
Stow
