U.S. based on ideals of freedom

9/12/2009

In regard to the letter in The Blade concerning the Toledo City Council and their prayer issue, I'd like to throw in my 2-cents worth. The writer is no doubt right when she refers to this as a Christian nation; however, the United States is first and foremost a "free" nation.

Although the majority of citizens identify themselves as Christian, this country was not founded with any particular religion in mind. In fact, the founders went to some lengths to make that very clear.

A Christian deity is not mentioned by name in any of our founding documents.

The writer has every right to object to the letter Toledo City Council received criticizing its use of prayer prior to meetings.

That right is what this country is all about, and it's also my right to disagree with her. My point here is that this country is not a theocracy (Christian-ruled, that is ) and was never intended as such.

My personal view is that prayers should be kept to places of worship and to oneself and not be part of government agenda. I'd be interested to know where the current mayoral candidates stand on this issue.

Phil Deckebach

Beaufort Avenue

This is a response to the Sept. 3 full-page paid article by "U.S. Citizens Association."

Not since Oliver Stone's JFK have I seen so many conspiracies around an event or series of events as this convoluted fiction. Somebody needs to read Reckless, by Sen. Byron L. Dorgan (D., N.D.).

The assertions of these spin doctors are downright ludicrous. Alan Greenspan in October, 2008, admitted he had been wrong not to aggressively regulate.

One of the biggest factors in all of this was never even alluded to: "The Financial Services Modernization Act" of 1999.

This little gem was spun out by no other than Sen. Phil Gramm, Rep. Tom Bliley, and Rep. Jim Leach. It was a Trojan horse for the repeal of the Glass-Steagall Act, which was put in place after the Depression.

It was Senator Dorgan who warned in a speech: "We will look back in 10 years' time and say we should not have done that because we forgot the lessons of the past."

To be fair, unlike the aforementioned article, "The Gramm, Leach, Bliley Act" as it came to be called, was passed by an astounding 90-8 and signed by President Bill Clinton.

The U.S. Citizens Association is not interested in truth, only deceit.

It would be more responsible if The Blade would do research before selling pages to destructive organizations.

I'm curious: Would you sell a full-page article to the KKK so they can spread their "truth"? A misinformed public was not what our Founding Fathers had in mind.

Jeffrey A. Pitzen, Sr.

Northwood