Loose-spending Congress is the problem, not the solution

Loose-spending Congress is the problem, not the solution

EDITOR:

Congress has once again clearly made the point that America’s problems begin and end with them. We, the people of the United States, need to tell the “Princes of the Potomac” that their irresponsible behavior and overspending which brought on our huge debt and heavily contributed to our recession, plus their rush to resolve our problems with more debt and even larger wasteful spending, is not appreciated and will no longer be tolerated.

Polls told Congress that the American people wanted a careful and well planned approach to ease the problems of this recession, which Congress clearly failed to deliver with their pork-filled package. It wouldn’t stand the light of day, so they rammed it through without any review, debate, and revision.

Speaker Pelosi and Majority Leader Reid clearly delivered what President Obama wanted, a massive payback to all their political supporters which clearly doesn’t pass the “smell” test. We have honored the Pelosi-Reid Congress with the lowest approval rating in American history, and we now have proof that that rating, as low as it is, was too high.

May God save the United States of America. And may God grant us courage to oppose this type of congressional over-reach.

MICHAEL J. NOVAK

Austintown

Better to give than receive

EDITOR:

According to your Feb. 16 story, only 52.9 percent of Northeast Ohio licensed drivers have agreed to donate their organs when they die. I bet every single one of the other 47.1 percent would accept an organ transplant if they needed one to live.

Half of the organs transplanted in America go to people who haven’t agreed to donate their own organs. As long as we let non-donors jump to the front of the waiting list when they need transplants we’ll always have an organ shortage.

There is a simple way to put a big dent in the organ shortage — allocate donated organs first to people who have agreed to donate their own organs.

Anyone who wants to donate their organs to others who have agreed to donate theirs can join LifeSharers, a non-profit network of organ donors who agree to offer their organs first to other organ donors when they die. Membership is free at www.lifesharers.org or by calling 1-888-ORGAN88. There is no age limit, parents can enroll their minor children, and no one is excluded due to any pre-existing medical condition. LifeSharers has 12,379 members, including 409 members in Ohio.

Giving organs first to organ donors will convince more people to register as organ donors. It will also make the organ allocation system fairer. People who aren’t willing to share the gift of life should go to the back of the waiting list as long as there is a shortage of organs.

DAVID J. UNDIS, executive director

LifeSharers

Nashville, Tenn.

Downtown has new look

EDITOR:

If there was any question in anyone’s mind as to why the convocation center was built in downtown Youngstown, it was answered Saturday night.

Downtown was transformed into a national boxing spotlight. It was wonderful to see people from all walks of life come together for one purpose, our hometown hero, Kelly Pavlik.

On this night, some people rediscovered downtown Youngstown and found that there is a transformation that is happening, and it is a good one.

KENNETH W. KRANTZ

Youngstown