Only native Americans need apply for U.S. president

Only native Americans need apply for U.S. president
EDITOR:
Arnold Schwarzenegger may be a wonderful and great man in this or any country, but I will not and cannot go against our founding fathers. It's my wish that only natural born citizens are ever allowed to run for president of the United States of America, be they man, woman, black or white.
It's my opinion, and I hope many are of the same opinion, that only our own can love our own.
I love my country -- first, foremost and forever. Can any foreign born person say that?
I fear not for this century (as I'm sure our forefathers did not fear for theirs), but for the centuries to come and our children's children.
DANIEL KAPALKO Sr.
Austintown
Ditches have a purpose, they don't have to be pretty
EDITOR:
Some Boardman Township residents feel compelled to complain about the aesthetics of the ditches and culverts along both sides of the newly-opened Western Reserve Road.
The purpose of a ditch is to divert rainwater to an area where it won't cause flooding problems for the passing traffic. The route in question has been closed between Glenwood and Tippecanoe roads for several months, causing a major inconvenience to anyone traveling east or west and wanting to avoid Route 224. To provide natural landscaping would just waste tax dollars and keep the road closed even longer.
Please, people. This type of mentality is exactly what has been slowing the economic progress in the Mahoning Valley for years. Do we want better jobs and industrial growth or scenic vistas and soup kitchens?
MIKE SCOTT
Austintown
Blue candle sends a message
EDITOR:
Christmas is coming upon us very swiftly. It is a time when we remember members of our family and our friends. Some groups we forget, or just take for granted, at this time. They are the ones involved in protecting us: police, fire and EMT/Medics. They work even though it is a holiday.
We can honor them in a very simple way, by placing a blue candle in our windows during this season. It doesn't cost you much; just the cost of the electric candle with a blue bulb. It is a small price to pay to show your support for those who safeguard our lives, our homes and our property.
I urge you to take this small step to show your appreciation for their dedication to us.
WALTON J. TULLY
Certified Senior Police Chaplain
Trumbull County Sheriff's Office
Newton Falls Police and Fire Depts.
Watch for signs of buyer's remorse over next four years
EDITOR:
I've resigned myself to the "will of the people" with respect to the results of the presidential election. The homophobes can rest assured that the gay couple that moves in next door to them won't be "happily married" like the rest of us. The gun enthusiasts will be able to collect their Uzis and breathe easy knowing they'll be able to protect their loved ones against criminals even though it is 10 times more likely they'll have an accidental shooting within the home. The antichoice crowd will hope for Roe v. Wade to be overturned thinking it will eliminate abortion, but the reality is their choices for the Supreme Court won't get by the Democratic filibuster in the Senate and even if they did, the result would take us back to coat hanger abortions and butchers performing them in back alleys. You have to give credit to Karl Rove and his cronies who used the above issues to brainwash the masses into voting for President Bush.
I firmly believe that this election was the most important in my lifetime and that the masses won't be too happy with the legislative changes that will occur.
Do the majority of Americans trust the stock market more than the federal government? Having seen "the '90s bubble," Enron, MCI Worldcom, Global Crossing, the Savings and Loan scandal, (Neil Bush, by the way), the current insurance kickback scheme, and dozens of other scandals within the business community, can you honestly say that you would rather trust your retirement to corporate America? Well, hold onto your hats folks, because the Republicans have wanted to destroy Social Security for years and now a lameduck right wing president is going to dismantle one of the best programs in the history of this country. And that little prescription drug benefit that Bush used to persuade some seniors to cast a vote in his direction? It is nothing more than a way to allow one of the most corrupt industries, pharmaceuticals, to extract record profits out of the federal treasury under the guise of helping the elderly with their prescription costs. Without the cost containment and buying power of the feds, which Mr. Bush fought tooth and nail, are there any guarantees that drug prices won't skyrocket? Do you trust the drug companies to keep costs under control? These are the same companies that "donate" billions of dollars to politicians and doctors who prescribe their products.
Do we really want a foreign policy that is "our way or the highway" John Wayne style of diplomacy? Under the current administration, terrorism is on the rise according to every organization that tracks those numbers, even though Rove and the boys successfully painted Mr. Bush as the better provider of safety than Kerry. The Iraq war has been moved off the front pages by the "liberal" media, but the reality is Iraq (mission accomplished) is no closer to democracy than two years ago and the number of American deaths is increasing month to month.
Do we really want to allow drilling for oil in a pristine environment to recover but a few billion barrels of oil? Does America want to continue its current path with respect to health care?
In four years, I'll bet that many Americans come to the realization that God, guns, and gays shouldn't take precedence over far more important issues.
BILL JOHNSON
Boardman
Holy Day Mass was special
EDITOR:
I attended Mass Wednesday to honor the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. It was concelebrated by Bishop Tobin and 12 other priests at Immaculate Conception, the church where I grew up, made my First Communion and was married. The church was full. The music chosen to honor Our Blessed Mother was the music I remember from years ago and was most beautiful.
Children from the parish school participated in the Mass. I haven't been to Immaculate Conception for several years. I was so very pleased to see that it remains an active, vibrant jewel on our community's East Side.
I was especially pleased to see that the kneelers have been returned to the church as I remember it and I thank all who participated. It was a pleasure to take this hour break at this very busy time of year.
PHYLLIS RICCHIUTI
Poland