Let the union take initiative

Let the union take initiative

EDITOR:

The real problem with the closing of Hubbard’s IGA remains unsolved. Those who lost their jobs when Patton’s IGA closed remain unemployed, according to United Food and Commercial Workers Local 880 and pickets representing that organization. In addition, those who worked for the more recent Nemenz IGA have lost their jobs. Unemployment in Hubbard’s grocery community increased rather than decreased.

It is apparent the pickets and United Food and Commercial Workers Local 880 are devoted to employment for all union brothers and sisters; there is a solution. Local 880 and its parent organization should consider entering the grocery business. Local 880 could establish one or more stores staffed with unemployed union members.

There would be no labor-management problems, no strikes or picketing because Local 880 would be the management. Unemployed union members become productive, dues-paying citizens. Employees would be cooperative and content because they would receive high wages, excellent health care benefits, pensions and opportunity for retirement.

Local 880 would benefit from membership dues, plus all the profit normally retained by traditional management. Imagine, a union making a profit.

There may be naysayers who scoff at this plan. They may say unions are not qualified to operate a real business. Not so. Unions have been advising businesses for decades — free of charge.

WERNER VERCH

Hubbard

McCain missed chance to support post 9/11 veterans

EDITOR:

I am sick and tired of seeing John McCain appear at events wearing his Navy ball cap. Is he going to be just another “photo op president” like the one who currently occupies the White House?

McCain may have served his country once, but he has NOT served those brave men and women who he and the current White House occupant sent to a war of choice in Iraq.

What I am referring to is the fact that Sen. McCain opposed the Post 9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008 which President Bush reluctantly signed into law. The bill, which Barack Obama supported, provides, among other benefits, “four academic years of educational benefits for an approved program up to the cost of the most expensive in-state undergraduate public tuition in the veteran’s state of residence,” a monthly living stipend and $1,000 annually for books and supplies to those who began serving on active duty after Sept. 11, 2001.

This bill passed in the United States Senate on June 26, 2008, by a vote of 92-6. Sen. Obama voted in favor of the bill’s passage. Sen. McCain did not vote on the bill, which he opposed. He was campaigning in Ohio that day.

JOHN T. DeFAZIO

Lisbon

Who is playing race card?

EDITOR:

Republicans have been very cautious about bringing up race in the presidential election, but the Democrats keep playing the race card.

State representatives Letson and Hagan are guilty.

Racism works both ways. According to MSM polls, 98 percent of African Americans will vote for Obama. That is reverse racism to an extreme.

There is not such a lopsided voting pattern among white voters. So quit whining.

C.J. IVAN

Canfield