When it comes to ballot issues, words can make the difference

When it comes to ballot issues, words can make the difference

After the defeat of the tax levy last November, statements by the commissioners, politicians, and your newspaper placed the blame on everything from the economy, use of the word “continuous”, the Board of Elections, and the lack of intelligence of the voters. None would admit what has now apparently been accepted, the voters wanted to control the length of the levy so they could evaluate the officeholders’ use or abuse of the tax money in making new hires and granting huge pay raises as was done after the passage of the permanent 1‚Ñ2 percent in 2007.

Within the last few months I felt that the commissioners and The Vindicator finally got it and opted for a levy for the limited period of five years. It now appears from articles and editorials that the prosecutor and his civil staff of attorneys wish to engage in an urination contest with the secretary of state over the use of the word “renewal” or “continuation” in levy wording. The problem in using the word “renewal,” if it is not authorized by statute, would be an invalid levy that could not be collected and government by crisis.

It shouldn’t be this difficult to draft language that would satisfy the county’s need for the levy and the voter’s clear desire that the levy be limited to a five-year period. Why not use language such as “a continuation of an existing 0.5 percent sales tax for a period of five (5) years to begin in October 1, 2010, and ending on September 30, 2015.” Let’s not go through another government by crisis and threats of jail closings and criminals on the streets.

Patrick R. Pochiro, Youngstown

Health-care changes are needed

The basic concept of maintaining health-care industries that take advantage of or prey off of the misfortune of citizens is inherently immoral. America must turn the spigot off on this immoral industry which has grown to infect nearly 17 percent of the entire U.S. economy.

The only correct and moral action is for Americans to have access to a not-for -profit government run health-care option along with more restrictions on drug companies and health-care providers that extract excessive profits from citizens who require health care.

There is no other industry in the world that can tell it’s potential customers to either buy their products or get sick and die.

Christian Mrosko, Youngstown