Fear, smear and tears
Fear, smear and tears
EDITOR:
"Fear and smear and avoid of any substance" -- the Republican presidential campaign strategy!
"Fear" George Bush intimidates and plays on the emotions and fears of the American people milking 9/11 for his own gain and asserting that his leadership on the war is the only viable course to pursue. A monkey on a rock could do a better job. Our country was founded on courage and heroism and we as a nation will never succumb to the cowards who utilize terrorist tactics. In spite of Bush, we will be victorious!
One presidential candidate used his family's money to enter the National Guard (a method of avoiding Vietnam duty), and didn't have the discipline or decency to show up for his physical (thus, losing his pilot eligibility). Yet, the "slow" boat people say he has character, honesty and can be trusted!
The other presidential candidate, in spite of his family's money, volunteered for the Navy, Vietnam, combat and becomes a decorated war hero. One was there and the other "dodged" it.
Bush's Republicans employed the identical smear campaign in 2000 against republican Sen. John McCain (another Vietnam war hero). Could it be that George Bush possesses a deep rooted neuroses/psychoses towards real men? Men who courageously go to war and unhesitatingly serve their country?
How could any veteran of any war endorse and vote for someone who couldn't do what they did?
I am former combat marine (Vietnam) and I consider George Bush a coward. If you were in a foxhole in Iraq, would you want Bush or Kerry with you watching your back? That's what I thought ... get out and vote!
RICK BERGER
Boardman
There's really no debate
EDITOR:
Senator Kerry is a slick attorney and a tax-and-spend liberal. He is on both sides of important issues, who can run but can't hide from his voting record.
He is a debater from his college days. But we should be electing a president, not a debating champion. According to CNN, Kerry's voting record is generally liberal, similar to that of his more senior colleague, Edward Kennedy. Americans for Democratic Action, a liberal political group, gave Kerry an 85 percent rating in 2002 and a 95 percent rating in 2001.
High malpractice premiums crisis is very relevant to the Mahoning Valley's health, where doctors are leaving the area and the profession. The crisis will deepen further under an administration of Atty. Kerry and malpractice trial Atty, John Edwards. This team will trash the bill capping punitive damages waiting for senate approval because trial attorneys do not like it.
Kerry mislead the country in the last debate by saying the "doctor's malpractice premiums are only one percent of the cost of health care". Partially right. The high cost of defensive medicine as Bush says is raising health insurance costs, raising the cost of doing business in America and causing outsourcing of American jobs.
Recently 900 Consumer Center jobs in Niles are being created on tax concessions of a Republican House in Columbus, beating many other states.
We should stay with the majority party to reap the benefits. This election is giving us a chance to change our Valley for good. Vote Republican for a positive change and vote Democrat for more of the same.
SUMAN K. MISHR, M.D.
Youngstown
Vote your pocketbook
EDITOR:
Tired of all the mud slinging and lies from both parties on TV and the radio all day? Me too; let's make it easy.
All the those in favor of George W. Bush should be the ones to pay off the deficit, loose their jobs and medical coverage and privatize their Social Security.
Those in favor of John Kerry should be able to keep their tax dollars in America to create and keep jobs, reform health care and Social Security and support our schools and keep our service workers.
I doubt if I'll be moving to Iraq anytime soon, why should my tax dollars?
VICTORIA PARIDON
Girard
There's an alternative
EDITOR:
As a libertarian, I will of course be voting for the Libertarian candidate for U.S. president, Michael Badnarik of Texas.
However, for voters who do not yet appreciate and understand the ideals and principles of the Libertarian Party, I offer some good advice.
Remember, if President Bush loses the election, he will retire to his ranch with a generous presidential pension, with Secret Service protection for life, other perks, and perhaps even with provision for a presidential library. He will, in a sense, be "home free," with no further responsibility for Iraq and his other actions .Mr. Kerry would have to "pick up the pieces." It might be far wiser to re-elect Mr. Bush and let him face the consequences of his first term adventures, good or bad, in a second term.
MILTON R. NORRIS
Canfield
What good is an MMA card?
EDITOR:
It took President Bush four years to have a plan for prescription drugs. His Medicare Modernization Act (MMA) does not help most people. My discount does not cover the cost of the card. We need lower prescription drug prices for everyone. It would not be necessary to have a card.
Today I received a notice from my Supplemental Insurance Medicare. The Part B deductible will increase annually because of (MMA). There will also be more increases in 2005.
Bush has plan for privatizing Social Security. This would be a disaster for everyone. Your check would go up and down with the stock market. It would not help make Social Security solvent. It would put more money in the richer peoples pocket.
MARGARET ZIMMERMAN
Canfield
Laughter, the best medicine
EDITOR:
Isn't it funny that people could vote for a man who used his fathers political influence to get him out of service to his country and have the audacity to attack a man who volunteered for his service?
Isn't it funny that people could vote for a man who the presidency can be compared to Herbert Hoover's when comparing having negative job growth and percentage decline in the stock market?
Isn't it funny that people could vote for a man who allowed a member of his inner circle to & quot;out & quot; an active CIA agent endangering her lifeand those contacts of hers, for revenge on her husband?
Isn't it funny that an August 2001 Presidential Daily Briefing was titled "Bin Laden to use airliners for attack on U.S. soil" and nothing was done to secure the airlines?
Isn't it funny that this president would say he can better protect us from biological attack when he cannot even have enough flu vaccines to protect our most vulnerable citizens? Then we have to go to the Canadians to get some extra, even though this President said it is illegal to get prescription drugs from there!
Isn't it funny that within three years this President could go from the largest surplus in U.S. history and three years later has the largest deficits in U.S. history?
Isn't it funny that people would vote for a man who would claim & quot;Mission Accomplished & quot; before ever securing the peace and costing hundreds of lives and thousands of injuries with no end in sight?
Isn't it funny that anyone could vote for a man who has this record and did not even get the most votes over his opponent in the last election?!
It is not very funny at all. That is why on November 2nd that we must head this country in a new direction.
Otherwise, the joke will be on us.
TOM LAMB
Youngstown
Once in a lifetime
EDITOR:
Attention all voters of the Mahoning Valley, we are in the rare position of electing the next president of the United States of America.
We are the key to Ohio and to the election of a new president.
If you ever do anything in your life to make a difference this is your chance.
Get out and vote don't take it for granted that the other guy will do it.
Our children and grandchildren can't afford another 4 years of this administration.
Get out Tuesday and vote Kerry/Edwards for a new beginning.
RON W. HOSTERT
Warren
Look at the man, his record
EDITOR:
I am convinced the people who support John Kerry are people who know very little about the person. Many times he brings up he is a Vietnam veteran, like his service makes him solely qualified for the presidency. He was in Vietnam only four months, then left his men.
I was in the Army, 1st Cavalry, combat, Nam jungles -- for one year. A real leader doesn't desert his men. Kerry hurt us and the POWs more than Jane Fonda. He is not a friend of gun owners, voting 51 times against interests of law abiding gun owners. To think he would be tough on terrorism -- you're deceiving yourself. That is why he doesn't want the public to know his senate voting record of voting against the major weapons systems, on which we rely today.
Kerry is a liberal with anti-Christian, anti family and anti-military stances. I can see why he likes the UN; they can help him make decisions.
TOM BOMBERGER
Salem
Voice in the wilderness
EDITOR:
Well here it is just a few days until election time. Plenty of mud slinging on every TV channel. Also fear tactics in the paper.
The article in the paper last Sunday makes me more frustrated about how crime is related to drugs. I guess all these agencies that are to help fight crime and especially drugs must think that the voters and taxpayers of Youngstown need told that without passage of taxes, they can't help us. Well, guess what. In my South Side neighborhood you cannot get much help from any of these wonderful agencies. In 13 years I've seen things get steadily worse.
Guess what, officials: The people will have the final say. My voice doesn't seem to be heard any other way.
JOHANNA MORRISON
Youngstown
Investing in the future
EDITOR:
As a resident of the Canfield School Local School District, I am proud of the accomplishments of our students and staff. Three generations of my family (my parents, my sister and I, and my three children) have graduated firm Canfield Schools. I am proud of and do respect the members of the Canfield Community who have and continue to support their schools.
As a strong supporter of public education, I encourage all voters to vote for their school levies on Election Day. I realize that no one wants to pay more taxes; however, good schools do build strong communities. We have an obligation to continue the legacy of providing strong educational opportunities for our future students just as past generations have provided for us.
The goal of public schools is to give students the skills and knowledge they need for their individual success and well-being. For children to become productive members of society, we need to teach students the value of hard work and persistence. In addition, we need to teach students to behave responsibly and respectfully towards others.
I proudly will be voting YES for Canfield Schools on Election Day. Please join me in supporting ALL schools in the Mahoning Valley. Remember: America needs the best efforts and accomplishments of all our people-that's why we need to come together to support every public school.
LORAN W. BROOKS
Canfield