Politicians should focus on these six tasks to get US back on track

Politicians should focus on these six tasks to get US back on track

The election is over, and the voters have sent a clear message to Washington — the status quo cannot continue. The voters, especially those of us in the rapidly vanishing middle class, are, in my opinion, tired of both parties and their refusal to budge from party orthodoxy.

Here are a few suggestions for getting the country back on track.

First, we must incentivize work. Federal poverty for a family of four is about $25,000. The average worker at Wal-Mart Stores and other entry-level jobs makes about $12 an hour, or $25,000 a year if working a 40-hour week.

We have to increase wages or we will continue to have more people choose disability and welfare over work as those public assistance programs pay better. I propose we cut the corporate income tax to 10 percent for any company whose average wage is “livable.” I would define that as 11/2 times the “poverty” wage of $12 an hour and index it to inflation thereafter. The company would also have to provide health-care benefits compliant with the Affordable Care Act. Companies choosing not to comply can continue to pay 40 percent in income tax.

Drop the Social Security and Medicare tax rate to 5 percent and remove the cap on wages so all Americans have the same contribution.

Build a Berlin Wall-type barrier on the southern border with Mexico. Once complete, anyone living in the U.S. will have two years from the date of completion to apply for citizenship. For citizenship to be granted, you will have to be deemed proficient in the English language.

Place a 25 percent tariff on all imported goods originating in countries that are known human-rights abusers — China, Saudi Arabia, etc.

Finally, pass a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution. My great-great-great grandchildren will still be paying off the $18 trillion tab run up by the current and previous crop of politicians. This profligate spending must stop or it will destroy our country.

In short, politicians must start working for the people who elected them. Unfortunately, I won’t hold my breath waiting for it to happen.

Rich Ferenchak, North Lima

Political zealot, de Souza is not

A few days ago the WKBN Radio “Ron Verb Show” interviewed Columnist Bertram de Souza of The Vindicator regarding the suitability of some of those running for political offices. Admittedly, I have considered Mr. de Souza to be a Democrat zealot; however, I was caught off guard with his objectivity and common sense and invariability when challenged by Verb. Bertram is certainly not a political zealot.

What pleasure it was to hear him express his unbiased opinions regarding various political personalities pursuing public office.

As one who is politically independent, I hold Bertram in high regard for his unique independence and not wavering under fire ... yet remaining pleasant.

Robert Sampson, Boardman

Memo to anti-frackers: Give up

It is with great hope that the Lost Children of The Anti-Fracking movement will finally take the obvious hint that the voters have sent them not once, not twice, but four times that they are not interested in your ridiculous manifesto, and they are tired of you wasting taxpayers’ money.

If you want to do something constructive for Youngstown, work on moving the economy in the city forward rather than backward. The bill you support still represents a small band of radicals trying to have a major say on what happens in Youngstown.

Jim Eidel, Beaver Township

Don’t let Youngstown become a radioactive dumping ground

Few people in Youngstown know about radiation poisoning, but unfortunately, I do.

I have been to Hiroshima and lived in Nagasaki for 31/2 years teaching in a college there. Part or all of the families of my students and colleagues were killed by radiation. People there are still dying from aftereffects of the poisoning after all these years. In Youngstown, I had parents in my class from Chernobyl; it broke your heart to see the health damage to their small daughter. Later we had parents whose child suffered from the Chernobyl disaster, too; they lived in Hungary where the radiation aftereffects were carried in the air to Hungary.

Radiation in any amount is dangerous. See how careful staff in our hospitals are in X-ray, for example. My reason for writing this is that the Ohio Department of Natural Resources has approved the dumping of radioactive materials such as Radium 226 and Radium 228 from other states to 240 Sinter Court coming in by truck and railroad right next to one of the city’s Vallourec plants.

Are we going to lose Vallourec just for the few dollars the dumper gets? Who would want to live here or work here where it is poisonous.

Youngstown, a dumping ground?

Rosemarie Kascher, Youngstown

Drug companies, politicians use mass vaccinations as money grabs

In response to the recent article “Vaccine ignorance is deadly” by Laurie Garrett and Max Builder, I want readers to know that the deadly diseases of the past were not eradicated by mass vaccinations but by improved sanitation and public-education programs concerning dietary needs.

All health problems created by mass inoculations (immediate or long-term) suffered by the public go unreported because first, the people don’t know there’s a relationship, and second, doctors shun reporting reactions for fear of lawsuits. Too many reports of bad reactions to vaccination can cause the public to distrust vaccination.

There is clear evidence linking vaccination with a whole host of ailments; just Google it. The organizations providing the information are nonprofit, so what can they gain by sharing the information? It’s to inform others of the risks involved, to possibly save others from the terrible possible consequences.

On the other hand what is to be gained by scaring people in mass vaccination? Other than caring people who are completely ignorant of what’s in vaccines and the risks involved, pharmaceutical companies stand to be enriched with billions of dollars in profits, including politicians who helped pave the way.

It’s my opinion (shared by many others who are well informed) that disease scares, such as Ebola, are no longer a government tactic used to benefit the public’s health but to line the pockets of the corporate powers to be and politicians.

This is a no-brainer folks, be informed and be careful, the “powers to be” are working to take your rights to choose away from you.

Sandy Hrabowy, Liberty

Being gay is no gift from God

This letter is in response to the article in The Vindicator on Oct. 31 about Apple CEO Tim Cook publicly stating that he is gay.

Mr. Cook has every right to what he thinks is right. But — and that’s a big but — as for his remark that “being gay is among the greatest gifts God has given me,” I so disagree.

The greatest gift God has given all of us is His son Jesus Christ. Jesus died on that cross so that anyone of us can enjoy eternal life. That includes you, Mr. Cook. All we have to do is believe.

But please don’t offend me, Mr. Cook, by saying “being gay is a gift from God.”

Joanie Farmer, Columbiana