Americans truly weren’t all that virtuous 50 years ago

Americans truly weren’t all that virtuous 50 years ago

IIn his opinion piece published in The Vindicator on Dec. 1 (“Virtue making a return”), Cal Thomas makes two assumptions with which I take exception.

The first is that there was a time when every man respected women. In those good old days, men made neither rude comments nor barely disguised innuendos and always refrained from unwanted physical contact with female friends, colleagues or strangers.

To suggest such admirable self-restraint has somehow vanished presumes it existed in the first place. Obviously Mr. Thomas is referring to a time and place of which I have no idea. Clearly it was not Northeast Ohio in the second half of the 20th century where the sort of behavior he abhors was sadly typical.

The second is that adults are failing to properly influence young people: “In the train wreck of our present culture, we are witnessing the failure over the last 50 years to instruct and discipline our children in ways that as adults they are more likely to embrace the values that can lead to a virtuous life.”

Again, the discouraging atmosphere he describes is not one with which I am familiar. Throughout the Valley one can easily witness examples of parents, grandparents, teachers, coaches and other mentors whose efforts have resulted in respectful and courteous behavior among children and adolescents that far outweighs its occasional opposite.

Time will tell whether or how the current uproar will influence our society in the short or long term. Whatever the effect, given the choice between longing for some nonexistent past and making a consistent effort to nurture the spirit of goodness in all people, I suggest we go with the latter.

John Polanski, Mineral Ridge

Consider reviving failed drug-cost issue for ballot

The Vindicator sup- ported the flawed and failed state Issue 2 for the right reasons.

Who wouldn’t want to uncover the veil of sorcery that has many folks qualifying for bazillions in medical treatment at little cost to themselves, while others are forced to throw themselves on the mercy of the emergency room only to be dunned for years after for the full cost of treatment that may be too late?

Can Mike Weinstein, author of Issue 2, be persuaded to have a second and final go-around at putting his issue on the ballot?

Jack Labusch, Niles

Pause this week to honor veterans of Pearl Harbor

December 7, 1941 – the attack on Pearl Harbor – is a day that has remained in infamy. Very few service members who personally remember that day are still among us. The American Legion Auxiliary encourages everyone to do what they can to keep Pearl Harbor a part of our national consciousness.

Many brave service members were asleep or about their morning routines when the Japanese bombers delivered a blow that would decide America’s involvement in World War II. More than 2,400 service members died during the early morning attack.

My late father-in-law, Joe Shesko, joined the Navy and fought in the South Pacific on a destroyer during the war in the years to follow. Thousands of other American men and women from almost every family across the country were a part of the war effort because of that fateful day.

I invite you, along with the members of the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 737, to take a moment and remember the men and women who lost their lives that day, 76 years ago.

American Legion Auxiliary members have dedicated themselves for nearly a century to meeting the needs of our nation’s veterans, military and their families both here and abroad. They volunteer millions of hours yearly, with a value of $3.1 billion.

Karen Shesko, Lake Milton

Karen Shesko is historian for American Legion Auxiliary Unit 737 in Lake Milton.

Will Youngstown leaders ever listen to residents?

All of us have heard the story about a tree falling in the middle of the forest with nobody around; does it still make a noise? Well, I am wondering that if we, the residents of Youngstown, were to speak up, would anybody in power care and consider it? My experience over the 33 years since I moved here from Manhattan is, 99 percent of the time, the answer would be no.

Youngstown over the past decades has gotten worse and worse, poorer and poorer. Those left here are mostly old, sick/disabled and poor. Youngstown remains one of the poorest cities in the nation.

Of course, there have been many great improvements made in certain degrees. But we hear talk again where they want to raise, again, in January our water and sewer bills. The sewer portion costs five times as much as the water itself, and the sanitation three times as much.

I who get only $740 monthly from SSI have to question how can I pay it? How can thousands of us pay it? There is the HEAP program for electricity and heat. But nothing for water. In most of states, there is the LIP Program, specifically for helping the poor with the water bill. But of course, Ohio does not have it.

I am paying into the bill, but not capable to pay it off totally every month. The water company did not seem to care. But now I got a notice that states if I do not pay the whole amount that I owe, they will disconnect the water. It does not matter that I am disabled; I am not alone.

So I am speaking for many thousands as somebody has to open their mouth. I’m hoping it even counts.

We have the right to not just know where the money goes, but a say-so in it.

There is an old famous Russian poem. It says in free translation; “Yes, the huge ship is swimming on the top of the water of the Sea, but still the Sea is the most powerful.”

So the sea of citizens of Youngstown should wake up and stop just complaining between each other in the store, on the streets, etc, and use their power to get results.

Ildiko Studemire, Youngstown

Americans learn hard way consequences of elections

You know that wel- fare state all the people on the right are always afraid of? It may be that the big bad government may have to step in and help you some day. But if it keeps going as it now is, the big bad old government won’t be able to. Maybe that’s just what the super rich want?

The nobility is making a comeback, in America. They will pass down their titles in the guise of money to their offspring thanks to the Republicans allowing them to. That is why we put inheritance taxes in place over a hundred years ago to prevent this from happening. They know this.

As it now is you can inherit $10,000,000 before you would have to pay this tax. This tax only pertains to the very, very rich – less than .001 percent of the population.

You better wake up before everything your fathers and mothers fought to give you is taken away. Quit listening to the propaganda paid for by the rich on your TV and radio and start thinking for yourselves.

There are many people in the news media who are trying to give you the truth – such as this very paper about Issue Two.

Start listening to them. And start voting for people who want to help you and not for the ones who take the most money from the rich to do their biding. Not the one who buys the most advertisement on your boob tube. Remember they didn’t call it the “boob tube” for nothing.

Elections have very serious consequences. Don’t let anyone tell you they don’t.

Paul Shanabarger, New Springfield