Frivolous campaign issues

Frivolous campaign issues

EDITOR:

I had dinner with some classmates recently. We graduated high school more years ago than I like to admit. I was both amazed and amused by their reaction to the question of how many homes John McCain owns. Let’s see, is it 5 or 7 or 9? Or is it none since they all belong to his wife, Cindy? And what kind of shoes does he wear? Are they costly designer models or cheap knock-offs? Clearly these are fundamental questions that can tip the balance in their decisions for whom to vote in their view of what is important. How pathetic.

In John Kerry’s run for president, it was made very clear that the massive inherited wealth of his second wife, Theresa Heinz, was separate from his resources and thereby off limits for public scrutiny. It did not matter that John Edwards, who had considerable support among the group at one time, amassed his fortune from the outrageous fees he charged his “victim” clients during his career as a trial attorney. And Hillary Clinton, the local victor in the Democratic primary, barely raised an eyebrow when her family income was reported at more than $100 million since leaving the White House. Ross Perot, the wealthiest man to ever run for president, was a populist hero here and among my classmates in spite of his riches. And going back even further, don’t forget that LBJ would probably have been a pauper had it not been for the wise investments in Texas media outlets by his wife, Lady Bird. And the money amassed by the Kennedy clan, whose last remaining first generation political giant is being lionized as he faces life-threatening health challenges, has never been scrutinized as to its origins and scope to the extent the McCain’s money has.

And the Obamas are certainly not impoverished, living in a home costing more than $1 million. And that is not a criticism. I would be reluctant to vote for any candidate for office who was not financially and professionally successful. Why is wealth seen as evil for some of our political figures while it is the essence of what most consider necessary to achieving the American dream?

We have too many important issues before us to be distracted by such frivolous concerns. Let’s hope the remaining campaign will be devoted to more substantive debate.

TIMOTHY L. WAGNER

Youngstown

More on frivolous issues

EDITOR:

This is in response to an Aug. 18 letter criticizing Rep. Dennis Kucinich that stated, “to the best of my knowledge, the president has not committed any impeachable offense.”

What about misleading a country into a war with Iraq resulting in the deaths of over 4,000 Americans and at least 100,000 Iraqis is not grounds for impeachment?! I would advise the writer to read “The Prosecution of George W. Bush for Murder” by Vincent Bugliosi, the former L.A. County district attorney. This book outlines in specific detail why George Bush has committed the worst atrocity in U.S. history, and if “G.W.” gets away with the war, then I agree that the political system is not only corrupt, but dead.

Just think what $2.5 billion a week could do for infrastructure, education and health care, just to name a few vital necessities, instead of financing an illegal invasion.

Barack Obama’s flag lapels? Is the writer serious? He should stop watching Fox News and get to issues that really matter. Like the government being controlled by big money on Wall Street.

Oh yeah, about prayer in schools: Our children are falling behind the rest of the world in education, so let’s leave prayer for home and church. Separation of church and state was meant for a reason; a lot of our ancestors fled Europe to get away from religious persecution.

KEN FOLEY

Youngstown