Published: May 07, 2008 01:26 pm            

READERS' FORUM 5/8 | 545 officials need to get back on track

Why can’t the steel companies start the furnaces again and bring back our manufacturing jobs to the United States? Who is going to make our steel if we get into another big war such as World War II?

Why can’t we bring back the textile industry? It seems that shoes all come from China or other countries. We are told it is cheaper to have them made in foreign countries, but the prices for these shoes don’t come down.

We listen 24/7 to political rhetoric. Politicians tell us what their plans will be if they are elected, and we want to believe them.

However, is it just their job they are concerned about rather than the lost jobs of our citizens?

We have 100 senators, 435 representatives, one president and nine Supreme Court justices directly, legally, morally and individually responsible for all the domestic problems that plague this country. All elections seem to be the same – promises and more promises – but nothing seems to change for the working class. When is it going to stop?

There are no insoluble government problems. Do not let these 545 people shift the blame to bureaucrats, whom they hire and whose jobs they can abolish; to lobbyists, whose gifts and advice they can reject; or to regulators, to whom they give the power to regulate and from whom they can take this power.

We need to get this country back on the right track soon.

Virginia Buser

Boswell



Troop withdrawal deadline is vital

People such as presidential hopeful Sen. John McCain, who are opposed to setting a withdrawal date from Iraq are, arguably, viewing the situation there as a glass half empty. They believe that setting a deadline would only embolden the enemy.

Those who see the glass half full see a deadline as a means of getting the people of Iraq to take ownership of their government more quickly.

Deadlines are necessary evils. How many taxpayers would file an income-tax return without the infamous April 15?

Setting a reasonable date for withdrawing our troops from Iraq would be in the best interest of both countries. The killing of our men and women would cease, and the Iraqi people could go about making the “rest of their history” without the influence of a foreign government.

In regard to McCain, the sincerity that he exudes when he promises to reduce the size of government and cut spending is welcomed by many voters. However, he needs to disavow an earlier statement he made: “We may be in Iraq for the next 100 years.”

If McCain would promise to set a withdrawal date for our troops, his chances of being elected would be enhanced.

Stephen J. Verotsky

Johnstown



Hillary should learn how to pump gasoline

The front page of The Tribune-Democrat on May 2 told us that Sens. Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama had opposing views on the price of gasoline.

Obama wants to avoid the issue, as he should, since there is nothing he can do about it.

Clinton wants to eliminate the gas tax for the summer months.

What an absurdity.

Clearly she knows nothing about taxes in general; she has accountants to take care of that.

Several weeks ago, this subject surfaced and I wrote to Clinton. I expected no answer, and I got none. The questions I asked could have been answered by the lowest-ranking member of her office staff.

I asked on what date she drove into a gas station, got out of her car, took off the tank cap, put in the hose and filled up the tank.

What was the cost per gallon, and what was her total cost?

Satire? Of course, since she probably hasn’t owned or driven a car, much less filled the tank, in 20 years. Those tasks are for her staff.

And what about the fuel she uses to fly around the country in private jets?

It makes me feel good to know that she is concerned about my welfare.

John J. Abele

Portage



Bowlers breathe easier in Harrisburg area

Recent news reveals that bowlers in central Pennsylvania have a distinct advantage over bowlers from other parts of the state.

Do they knock down more pins? Do they have stronger arms? Is their approach technically better?

I don’t know the answer to any of those questions.

But I do know that they breathe better air now that a cluster of competing Harrisburg-area bowling lanes has opted to clear the air and go smoke-free.

Harrisburg-area bowling lane owners told the Central Penn Business Journal in a May 2 story that smoking not only hurts the health of employees and bowlers, but also the health of their facilities and equipment.

“Smoking is no good for electronic equipment and no good for my employees and customers,” said one owner, explaining he recently spent almost $500,000 replacing automatic-scoring equipment that was loaded with tar and nicotine.

Bowling lane operators across the state can learn from these leaders of their industry: Going smoke-free benefits everyone.

While the state is still working out the details of its future smoking ban, now is the time for business owners to go smoke-free. This will give those businesses a distinct advantage over others who wait.

Clearly, this news should “bowl over” the legislators who are crafting the conference report on Senate Bill 246 and give them further reasons to propose a strong ban for our state.

Dr. Peter S. Lund

President, Pennsylvania Medical Society

Harrisburg

        

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