It’s up to the Democrats

It’s up to the Democrats

EDITOR:

For years Democratic politicians like Tim Ryan, Sherrod Brown, Ted Strickland and Bob Hagan have been telling the Valley that the Republicans in Washington are responsible for the dire straits in which we find ourselves. They have been able to dodge any responsibility and accountability by blaming George Bush and the “evil” Republicans for the difficult economic situation and circumstances here.

As of Nov. 4 those days are over. No more excuses. Gentlemen, you are now accountable. Tim Ryan and his ally Nancy Pelosi have an overwhelming majority in the U.S. House of Representatives. Sherrod Brown’s comrade Harry Reid has what amounts to a filibuster proof majority in the U.S. Senate. There is nothing standing in their way: a great economy, healthcare, childcare, “affordable” college educations, and union friendly laws (“card check”) making it easier to organize open shops are all on the way. Any and every piece of legislation that the Congress wants will easily be signed into law by President Obama.

When Tim Ryan endorsed Barack Obama the week of Oct. 13 and again on Nov. 5, he spoke glowingly of all of the “green” manufacturing jobs that Obama would bring to this Valley. We’re watching (and will be counting) all of these new green collar jobs. Sen. Brown now has no obstacles to creating all of those jobs in “alternative energy” industries that he has been selling and promising to this Valley for years.

With the coming windfall in “education” money funneled to the states, Governor Strickland should have no problem delivering schools and students with elevated performance and skyrocketing test scores.

And of course we can’t leave Mayor Williams out of the equation. He saw fit to ridicule the good people of Wasilla, Alaska, recently. Well let’s see at the end of Mr. Obama’s first four year term how the crime and employment rates of Wasilla compare to those of Youngstown. The liberal Democrats running this Valley no longer have Republican control of either Columbus or Washington to blame for the conditions here. They made a lot of promises during the Democratic primary and general election campaigns. Now we expect them to deliver.

MIKE McGAUGHEY

Poland

Students appreciate support

EDITOR:

The Business Technology and Financial Services class at Choffin Career and Technical Center wants to thank the community for the passage of the school levy last Tuesday. As juniors and seniors, we receive The Vindicator through the Newspaper in Education program. We read about current events, follow economic trends and the election process, and read the letters to the editor.

Some people are negative and criticize; however, we want to express our gratitude. We are thankful for our schools and are happy the citizens of Youngstown agreed with their collective vote that our education makes a positive difference in our lives. Youngstown city schools are a beacon of hope.

JANET UMBEL

Youngstown

X Janet Umbel, a teacher at Choffin, submitted this on behalf of her students.

People picket as jobs leave

EDITOR:

Not a day goes by without reading about job losses in this country, yet it amazes me to see what is going on in our Valley. Two recent events have me wondering if the people in this valley really care about job preservation.

A labor dispute in Salem caused a local manufacturer to move equipment to another plant as the workers stood by in the picket line. That equipment and the jobs lost as a result of the move will never be back to Salem. Union members are still on the picket line with no end in sight. Get down to the bargaining table and negotiate a fair contract. The shouting in front of the plant will not accomplish anything except lost wages and the potential closing of another plant.

Another Vindicator headline boldly states, “Union pickets to close more Save-A-Lot stores.” Closing another grocery store and reduce competition in the grocery business takes away consumer’s choices leading to less competition and higher prices. Who is to gain from these actions? As the store owner said, “the employees are satisfied with the way they are treated.” Why force another store closing?

Wake up, Mahoning Valley. If we really want jobs and prosperity, we need to encourage job creation by new businesses as well maintaining the current ones by offering an environment friendly to growth and expansion not closing down.

TONI FURANO

Poland

Levy passed, send the buses

EDITOR:

The elections are over and the WRTA levy has passed. I watched Jim Ferraro on TV, all smiles, talking about small bus service to outlying areas in the county. My husband and I are senior citizens who live in Lake Milton and do not own a car so we depend on relatives for all of our transportation. All but one of our relatives live 25 miles from here, which is a long way to come take us shopping.

When plans are being made for extending bus service to the rest of the county, I hope they will remember that Lake Milton is part of Mahoning County and since we are also paying that tax, we should have bus service available to us.

DONNA PARKER

Lake Milton

Explain McCain’s choice

EDITOR:

I noticed on the news last week John McCain driving himself home. Here we have a U.S. senator, who has lots of money and seven houses, driving a Toyota SUV.

Can anyone explain to me how a U.S. senator can’t even support any U.S. products? I wonder how many other senators do this.

DOUG DVORAK

Youngstown