The key question: Are you better off than in 2000?

The key question: Are youbetter off than in 2000?
EDITORS:
Yet another presidential election is upon us. Before making our decision, we should ask ourselves, "Am I better off than I was four years ago?"
My answer to that question is, NOOOO!
I am what is known as a small businessman, a k a truck driver, and, of course, a consumer. As a trucker, my fuel costs have nearly doubled, there is no mandatory fuel surcharge in the foreseeable future that would stabilize all fuel prices, and freight rates are not keeping up with rising costs of operations.
At the request of Mr. Bush, the Supreme Court permitted Mexican trucks into this country to haul freight. And to boot, some states, including Pennsylvania, find it necessary to increase turnpike tolls as much as 42 percent. My last trip from Los Angeles to Pittsburgh cost me $1,259.99 in diesel fuel alone.
As a consumer, I've seen increases in food costs, taxes, gasoline, medical expenses and insurance. There are no wage increases or cost of living adjustments, only higher costs.
Four years ago, I had peace and prosperity, along with the rest of the world. Today, we are at war under false pretenses, our good-paying jobs are being outsourced to South America, India or China with no penalty to corporate America, small businesses are going belly up in record numbers, we are burdened with a record deficit our great-grandchildren will inherit, and "terrorism" is now a household word.
Let's do a Republican fiscal report card (not to be confused with "tax and spend" liberal Democrats.) We have a Republican president, a Republican-controlled Congress, and the majority of states have Republican governors. These so-called "fiscal conservatives" have spent us into insurmountable debt and created the largest federal deficit in American history (probably in the shortest amount of time). This government spending has nothing to do with the Afghan or Iraqi wars. They have allowed, and rewarded, corporate America to move jobs out of this country, deserting the people who made them the money they have today. Our diplomatic foreign policy and important domestic issues are nonexistent.
Don't get me wrong, I don't think either party is doing its best job for America. As far as I'm concerned, the taxpayers should be the No. 1 priority of the government we elect and pay for.
On Nov. 2, we should start passing out some "pink slips." Vote!
DAVID P. GAIBIS Sr.
New Castle, Pa.
Whatever the future brings,thank God for America!
EDITOR:
As one who has lived in the era of the "greatest generation," it saddens me to read some of the letters in your paper.
I'm reminded of Alexander Tytler, who wrote back in the 18th century that the average age of great civilizations has been 200 years. Isn't that about the age of our great nation? History always seems to repeat itself and it brings to mind ancient Rome and ancient Greece. The same circumstances that brought an end to their democracies and existence is prevalent today in our country. We vote for the candidate who will promise anything and everything.
In our generation our parents lived through a Depression and World War II, but we were reared with manners, morals, respect, patriotism -- you name it. Somewhere along the way, these important traits have faded away.
After reading the letter from a 20-year-old and another one from a so-called "woman of the cloth," I wonder if we're coming closer to the end of democracy.
I'm thankful now that I've lived in the times that I've lived in. God bless America!
ROSANNE MORELAND
Columbiana