Are white Democrats racist?

Are white Democrats racist?
EDITOR:
I went on vacation immediately after the mid-term election, and I was wearing my "Lynn Swann for Governor" hat. Although the election is over, I like the hat and continue to wear it.
When someone unfamiliar with the Pennsylvania governor's race asked if the candidate had won, I told him that Pennsylvania is a Democrat state, and unfortunately, white Democrats don't vote for blacks.
He looked aghast at my claim and pointed out that there are elected black politicians. In response, I offered a further explanation.
The few elected black officials out there tend to come from smaller electoral regions where the population of blacks is greater, such as congressional districts like Harlem. In these smaller regions, black Democrats in combination with white and black Republicans can overcome the vote of white Democrats.
The problem arises when you increase the electoral region to the size of a state that diminishes the overall concentration of blacks. As a result, you see more black members in the U.S. House of Representatives than you do in the U.S. Senate, of which there is currently one and only because of an odd situation where no white candidate was running.
Michael Steele in Maryland -- one of the most impressive candidates this season-- almost became the second black senator; however, he ran into the white Democrat wall as did Lynn Swann in Pennsylvania and Ken Blackwell. Instead, Maryland elected a white Democrat senator who, like Bob Casey Jr. in Pennsylvania, has trouble putting together two coherent sentences.
In the pro-life movement, it is often said that the real challenge is to change the hearts of the abortion advocates. Perhaps, in the effort to elect more black candidates, work must be done to change the hearts of white Democrats, if they even have hearts.
JOSEPH K. WALTENBAUGH
New Castle, Pa
Punish drunken driversharshly on the first offense
EDITOR:
In reference to the letter written Nov. 19 by Debbie McCutcheon, I would like to say how sad it was to see such a heartbreaking story. I can't imagine the sorrow and heartbreak her family has had to endure regarding the death of her niece Jennifer Tornello.
I cannot understand why drunken drivers continue to travel our roads, endangering the lives of every one of us. They are nothing but home-grown terrorists. Why does it take multiple offenses by these individuals in order to incarcerate them? It should be one strike and you're out. It only takes one strike to kill a pedestrian.
I've had one cousin killed and another permanently disabled due to being struck by a drunken driver. The drunk who disabled my cousin (age 13) had a lengthy history of driving under the influence. He, too, stated that he thought he hit a deer. Then he left him lying in a ditch in the dark in the middle of winter.
So to the McCutcheon and Tornello families, I am truly sorry. Jennifer's mother shouldn't have died from heartbreak at age 48 while lying in her daughter's bed. I can think of no sadder way to die. My thoughts and prayers are with both families and with all the families who have lost loved ones to alcohol-related accidents.
SUSAN CENTORAME
Canfield
Reduce 614 school districtsto 88 countywide systems
EDITOR:
Now that the November 2006 elections are over and the state of Ohio has a new governor-elect in Ted Strickland, I believe if there is ever going to be progress in Ohio in education, it must begin countywide with the consolidation of all school districts in each county in the state.
In Ohio there are 88 counties with 614 school districts -- some rich and some poor, unequal and unbalanced. Each has million-dollar budgets and large ineffective bureaucracies with 614 school boards, 614 superintendents, 614 different teacher unions, and 614 administrations. All cost the tax payers of the state of Ohio billions of dollars in red tape, massive duplication, and inefficient bureaucracies.
The Ohio Department of Education informed me that in the Mahoning Valley there are 14 school districts in Mahoning County, 11 school districts in Columbiana County, and 20 school districts in Trumbull County, with their own school boards, administrators, superintendents, teacher unions, budgets, and large bureaucracies.
I believe if there is ever going to be regionalization and consolidation in Ohio, it must begin with our Ohio school districts, by creating countywide school districts with countywide elected school boards, one countywide superintendent, one administration, one countywide teachers union, and one countywide school district-operating budget with one countywide tax levy on the ballot.
If Ohio is going to be No. 1 in education, it must consolidate its 614 school districts to countywide school districts to efficiently benefit all the taxpayers and school pupils across Ohio's 88 counties.
WILLIE JAMES RICHARDS
Youngstown
Mahoning voting machinesare reliable and secure
EDITOR:
The Vindicator does a disservice to Mahoning County citizens when it reprints on the editorial page an opinion from the Providence Journal titled, "Machines need some work," a lament on electronic voting machines. The article claimed that the machines are "vulnerable to hacking and undetected vote theft."
Voters must have confidence in the elections process. Trust is our most important asset. The conspiracy theories and paranoia from losers of elections, or well-meaning but poorly informed "experts" can be found in many corners of the Internet. When those same unsubstantiated charges appear in The Vindicator, it contributes to voter distrust, apathy and cynicism.
Mahoning County's experience with our machines supplied by ES & amp;S has been good and is getting better. Most issues we have seen have been related to voters, poll workers or our staff getting used to the new technology. There has never been an issue with security, hacking or vote theft. In fact, our bipartisan election system, along with this very robust technology, has made voting more secure than ever. While we must always be on guard to keep vote counting accurate, reliable and secure, voters can have confidence that their votes are counted properly.
MARK E. MUNROE
Vice chairman
Mahoning County Board of Elections
Youngstown
Put Paurich in cast or crew;then review his performance
EDITOR:
I want to applaud Fran Comstock for her response to Milan Paurich's review of "Luv" at the Oakland Theatre. His hateful and sarcastic remarks were not a review of this play, but more of a personal issue. I agree with Fran on questioning Mr. Paurich's ability to review community theater. This is his second review for the Oakland in the last month with the same harsh and bitter attitude in both.
Personally, I would like to see Mr. Paurich on stage, directing, running lights, stage managing or handling props for a show. After all the hard work putting it all together, have him reviewed for his efforts and ability. Wouldn't it be a shame, Mr. Paurich, if someone completely belittled you and your work for no other reason than their own personal vendetta against community theater?
DENISE SCULLI
Canfield
Play reviewer rightly holdsactors to high standards
EDITOR:
Fran Comstock's letter complaining about Milan Paurich's review of "Luv" caught me by surprise -- I was just on the point of writing my own letter saying how much I appreciated and enjoyed Milan Paurich's sharp critical reviews. He is obviously writing as a critic (not a doting parent or friend of a cast member), and his reviews always pique my interest in seeing the play for myself. I want to observe just what he is writing about and then agree or disagree, based on my own viewing of the play.
Perhaps he did get a bit personal in this last review, but it certainly added some spice to the entertainment page, inspired at least two letters, and maybe even increased attendance.
I found Ms. Comstock's letter a bit condescending to "Community Theatre." She seems to be implying that "hardworking volunteers" and "busy directors" should be held to lower standards than professionals, and possibly given kinder, gentler reviews. This is a bit insulting to all the people I know involved in local theater..
I am acquainted with actors, directors, stage managers, musical directors, sound and lighting personnel, choreographers, etc. They are extremely professional, and have very high standards. I have attended theater at New Castle, Youngstown Playhouse, the Oakland, TNT, Kent Trumbull Summer Stock, and many area high school productions. The major difference I see between these theaters and professional theater is that the professional theater has the money for fancier costumes and more elaborate sets. The talent, from high school on up, both behind the scenes and on stage, is just outstanding in this area. I feel that Mr. Paurich's reviews are positive critiques, not negative putdowns. I look forward to more of his insightful and intelligent opinions.
G.P. HRUSOVSKY
Cortland
Use tobacco taxes to covermedical costs for smokers
EDITOR:
We are increasingly living in a world of intolerance and concern for only ourselves. As a smoker, I realize that a lot of the medical problems that I may have in the future are of my own making. I actually enjoy smoking. I haven't smoked inside my house for the past 11 years out of consideration for my wife and daughter. In public I will always ask first before I light up.
I try to be considerate of others, but the public frenzy that is rampant today goes way beyond the issue of health concerns. People have taken on an attitude of moral superiority, and it comes across as disgust with smokers. The habit is being confused with the person.
Smoking is an addiction. Unlike alcohol, no one has ever been arrested for driving under the influence of nicotine. Nicotine has never been the driving force behind sexual molestation or family abuse. I have read and heard a lot of comments that depict smokers as being filthy and despicable. I once met a recovering drug addict who attended AA meetings. He said that a lot of the old timers in AA viewed themselves as being better than drug addicts. Jesus Christ once said let those of you who are without sin cast the first stone. I don't believe that I am superior to others, but I don't believe that others are better than me.
Ohio collects about $1.3 billion a year in tobacco taxes and tobacco settlement payments. Only about 3.6 percent of that amount is spent on tobacco prevention programs. The rest goes into the general fund where it can be spent in any manner that the state wishes. Do you honestly believe the powers in Columbus want to eradicate tobacco?
I propose that all future tobacco-related taxes be set aside into a reserve that would be solely used to help offset some of the future medical costs that smokers will encounter at some point in their lives. In this manner, some of the costs to society would be offset. The exact details as to how this plan would work would need to be clarified. Any plan is better than the one that all 50 states are using, which is to bleed smokers dry for any money that they may have. Smokers paid these taxes, and they should be used solely for the smokers' benefit. I certainly would not expect people who are disgusted with my smoking to benefit from the disgusting tobacco taxes that I pay.
GERALD HEITKAMP
Youngstown