Youngstowners should take new look at Democratic roots

Youngstowners should take new look at Democratic roots
EDITOR:
I recently read a most disturbing letter in your column from a woman who was bashing Mayor McKelvey for endorsing President Bush in the upcoming election. However, if the folks in Youngstown are of her mindset, then it certainly explains why they continue to listen to the same Democratic leaders who told them to vote for many people who are now in jail and for those who have done absolutely nothing for the city.
She remarked that the Republicans in Washington had done nothing for Youngstown. Do the people of Youngstown realize that you need to send a Republican to Washington in order for a Republican to do something for Youngstown? Who is this Republican that is supposed to do something for Youngstown? Does she realize that it is your local elected officials and those that you send to Washington that are supposed to be getting something done for you?
It's as if she thinks that some other congressman, I guess a Republican who represents another district, is supposed to ignore their own district and do something for Youngstown.
Finally, a representative of the community decides to work with a Republican to get something done for Youngstown and she asks for his resignation for doing so?
What the people of Youngstown don't seem to understand is that the economics of the Democratic Party don't work. They haven't worked for over 25 years in that area.
Furthermore, the new Democratic Party is not a reflection of the people of Youngstown, who are hardworking, ethical, God-loving people. The new Democratic leaders in Washington, i.e. John Kerry, John Edwards, Al Sharpton, and Jesse Jackson do not represent the values of the people of Youngstown.
As hard as it may be for some of the long term Democrats in Youngstown to consider voting for a Republican, they need to consider what the new Democrats represent and what the Democrats have not done for Youngstown.
MELANIE LENEGHAN
Powell, Ohio
Kerry's policies make sense
EDITOR:
Being a young American college student raised in a middle class household I can only think of John Kerry's tax proposals as being beneficial to my future. According to an article by CNN news, the U.S. deficit is currently at a record $422 billion for this year. If calculated using the current U.S. population, that leaves each citizen responsible for $25,118. The most astonishing aspect of the deficit is that former President Clinton left George Bush with a budget surplus.
It seems rational to continue with tax cuts in order to rejuvenate the economy and help middle class Americans, but with increased spending and the ongoing war in Iraq, the Bush tax cuts have only further exaggerated the problem. In the long term, my fellow young Americans and I will be carrying the burden of paying for the record deficit. Years down the road taxes will need to be increased or the country will never see long-term economic growth.
Under President Bush's tax cuts, the wealthiest Americans got an average cut of over $28,000 this year, thousands more than the typical American. John Kerry's repeal of the tax cuts for citizen's making over $200,000 per year back to what they were under President Clinton will generate revenue to finance health care and education as well as restore fiscal responsibility. John Kerry wants to protect the increases in the child tax credit, the reduced marriage penalty, and the new 10 percent tax bracket. A tax credit will also be provided on up to $4,000 for each of four years of college tuition, which will help college students and their families in my same position.
MICHELLE HOMA
Warren