‘Occupy’ is awash in contradictions

‘Occupy’ is awash in contradictions

As a veteran and a current serving member of the U.S. military, I’ve often said that we do (or have done) what we do in order for you to have the freedom to do what you do. That freedom includes the freedom to disagree with me, hold a radically different view to my own and even to hold me and my brothers-in-arms in contempt for our service.

In my opinion, the “Occupy” movement has displayed despicable and un-American behavior. They show no respect for anyone around them or for the private property rights of others, although they do show great concern for their own rights, including their own property rights. They are consistently disingenuous, taking advantage of the things that are made available to them, either through donations or purchase, because of businesses and corporations while at the same time decrying the very corporations that make it available to them. They decry the greed of corporations while being the greediest of all, always wanting a bigger handout. They speak of love and peace while committing acts of violence and showing hatred in both word and deed. The kinds of behavior they display and the thinking behind it lead only to disorder, chaos, and anarchy; just the thing that leads to more war, more violence, and a total breakdown of our society. They don’t want to build: they only want to tear down.

Yes, the military is trained to use force and the calculated destruction of people and things in order to maintain society, order, and our way of life including the freedoms we enjoy, but the U.S. military has always used these methods for good, to insure everyone else in our country and many around the world can live in freedom, including the freedom to protest and voice differing opinions.

The “Occupy” movement has a right to their opinion and their view of life, no matter how twisted I might think it is. As I said, we in the military do what we do so that they have the freedom to voice that opinion, but it really makes me wonder: would they do the same for me? I doubt it.

Brad Forrider, Leetonia

Two troubled institutions

One cannot help but com- pare the Penn State University sex scandal with the ongoing sex scandals in the Catholic church. There are many similarities and dissimilarities.

The one fact that stands out in both institutions is that the image or reputation of the organization took preference over the unprotected rights of the child. This resulted in the hiding and cover up of the tragic event of child abuse to the extent of suspending any sense of moral decency.

Another unfortunate similarity is that the rank and file of people, namely, the students at Penn State and the Catholic laity, come to the defense of persons in authority who cover up the crimes of the perpetrators, namely, university officials, Paterno and other coaches, bishops and cardinals and those who knew or should have known of the crimes and did nothing.

Who would fault the university or the church for wanting to protect its image? I think no one who is not ashamed and embarrassed? No one. But I cannot understand why members of any organization would not demonstrate and demand openness and accountability. The cover up is a greater scandal than the sex crimes. Penn State’s board of trustees should be applauded for firing Paterno, icon though he may always be, and President Spanier — a step the Catholic church has never taken.

John F. Wirtz, North Jackson

Calling it quits in politics

After careful review of an offer to run as a Republican in the 59th District, I have decided to withdraw from politics. Having seen the duplicity and paucity of integrity and scruples in several recent campaigns, I believe George Washington was entirely correct (and prescient) when he stated in his farewell address that political parties lead to “a more formal and permanent despotism.” In my own run for Congress, the party (National Republican Congressional Committee) was primarily concerned with who could get “six figures in the bank” first, rather than which candidate would best serve the people of the district.

We know that many voters simply pull the lever for their party, or for the person who can buy the most radio and television time (money). The parties don’t want integrity. They want someone who can raise money and follow orders; just another party hack. I’m sure there are many out there who meet those requirements.

Congress has compromised our country down the toilet, and both parties are at fault. I sincerely hope to see the demise of the two-party system in my lifetime. Already the media and the Republican Party are selecting a candidate that will once again give us the option of choosing between the lesser of two evils. I fear we are witnessing the fall of a once-great Nation, and the blame falls all over Washington, D.C., but spreads to state and local party politics as well.

Donald K. Allen, DVM, Youngstown

Rewriting the contract

The following is a current rewrite of the Republican “contract for America,” which was originally written in the ’90s by Newt Gingrich.

1. Do what-ever it takes to make sure that Obama is a one-term president.

2. Make sure that Wall Street, banks, insurance companies, and big oil lobbyists run this country, not the average citizen.

3. Filibuster a record 99 percent of Democratic bills in Congress, causing deadlock in Washington and stalling government.

4. Make sure the richest 1 percent of this country and corporate America pay little or no taxes, making them richer and ever widening the income gap.

5. Make sure the middle class and poor pay more taxes per percentage of income and divide the nation even further.

6. Get rid of Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid as we know it, changing lives of retired Americans who worked to make this country great.

7. Work to abolish collective bargaining for organized labor, destroy labor unions and the pathway for workers to the middle class.

8. Lay off teachers, police and firemen and destroy the postal service. Unemployment is not high enough.

9. Make it difficult, if not impossible, for everyone to vote and change the “winner take all” in the electoral college votes in tea party controlled states.

10. Take the spotlight off the important issues, like the economy and jobs, and introduce bills about abortion, gay marriage and “In God We Trust.”

David B. Gaibis Sr., New Castle, Pa.

Those trinkets are job creators

Many people think of pencils, notepads and brochures as simple trinkets or chutchkies. One such gentleman described in a letter to the editor last Sunday his problem with pencils being handed out by candidates.

Here are a few things to consider: The promotional products industry employs nearly 500,000 people in North America and includes thousands of small businesses, some owned by women and minorities.

Promotional products, which cost just half a penny per impression, beat out prime-time TV, radio and print advertising as the most cost-effective advertising medium available, meaning even smaller companies (and candidates) can pack the advertising punch of multimillion dollar companies.

Candidates have relied on “trinkets” for more than 150 years. The pencil that a candidate is handing out on election day is just part of a larger picture. It may help secure some last minute votes, but promotional items are much more than “insignificant dime store items.” They work.

Brian Governor, Canfeld

The writer is president of P&W Marketing, Boardman.