Congress pays itself an unearned dividend

Congress pays itself an unearned dividend

EDITOR:

Congress has once again rewarded their own irresponsible and inept governance with a healthy automatic annual pay raise for 2009. They have failed miserably for the past 40 years to address the most important real issues of our time such as an energy policy which makes America truly independent; Social Security that is independent of number of workers, self supporting and inheritable; closing our borders to illegal immigration; and a taxing system which is both simple and effective and which promotes meaningful business growth in our country.

They have continued to grow government and regulation like a cancer on our society instead of a lean and effective government while continuing to talk and promise without delivering. It seems to me the height of hypocrisy that they have taken yet another pay raise while asking everyone else to tighten their belt another notch and work harder. What we truly need in Washington and perhaps our state capital are more business leaders and fewer professional politicians whose only goal is being re-elected.

MICHAEL J. NOVAK

Austintown

Politicians flunk math

EDITOR:

When I attended school, we did math: adding, subtracting, multiplying, division, and all the way to the brain surgeon and rocket scientist levels of this skill. Now I’m wondering: What makes our elected people and appointed people and those that advise all of them, believe we do not need a broad middle class?

Without manufacturing jobs, we cannot have employment. Without employment, we cannot have purchasing. Without purchasing, we shut down manufacturing jobs. Without manufacturing jobs — and I am talking about the good old respectable paying ones — the middle class is gone and lost.

This is where the politicians must get into their mathematical mode. No jobs, no taxes to keep them pork barreling, no workers to vote for them again and then they are looking for a job. Resumes anyone?

PATRICK M. LISTE

Girard

Trim the inauguration

EDITOR:

We have an upcoming inauguration and my personal belief is that our government would do well if they cut back on the cost of this event due to our country being broke.

Also, I believe that each and every senator and congressman should take cuts rather than workers in their pay check. The question arises in my mind as to why our workforce should be compelled to reduce their wages while government leaders continue to reap the windfall. If our leaders were truly sincere in caring for the economy and well being of the citizens, they would step forward and do the right thing; namely, take pay cuts. Perhaps then the public would gain some kind of feeling of credibility in this current situation and not feel so hopeless. Let pay cuts start at the top of government, not at the blue collar level.

GEORGIE ARKWRIGHT

Youngstown

Talk about overpaid

EDITOR:

I am a great sports fan (Indians, Browns, Ohio State, YSU and others). But lately I have been upset by the high salaries given to some players. It’s a slap in the face to people who have to pay two or three days pay to take their family to a game and especially if they buy a few snacks.

Our workers are being asked to take cuts in pay and health benefits and watch players who pitch every five days make as much as three times what it cost to build the Chevy Centre. I don’t think many people are going to be able to fill the stands to pay those salaries. I guess we will find out when next season starts. I hope everyone gets back to work and happy New Year.

GERRY MILLERLEILE

Hubbard