Legislators ignore will of people

5/13/2010

U.S. Rep. Bob Latta's May 11 op-ed column, "Expect buyers' remorse from health-care 'reform',•" notes that the new law allows federal funding of abortions.

When Congress passed the legislation, it was stated abortion would not be funded. The majority of Americans opposed this legislation, with or without abortion funding. The Congress and the President have, in effect, nullified the Constitution.

The Constitution has no meaning if elected officials ignore the will of the people and pass whatever laws they wish. The Constitution gives limited powers to those elected to serve in government, and ignoring the will of the people is not one of them.

Helyn Carr Mockensturm

Maumee

People who do not want President Obama's health-care bill say it will cost $2.3 trillion and we can't afford it.

But where does this money go? To doctors, insurance companies, hospitals, drug companies, and related employees. Because they all pay taxes, invest some of it, and spend the balance, the $2.3 trillion is turned around. Most of it is back in circulation in the United States.

Included in the bill is a requirement that small businesses have health insurance for employees. Some think this is going to harm small business.

Every business has costs, and these costs determine what the business must charge for its service. This bill will put small businesses on the same footing in regard to health costs and make them more competitive, not less.

Paul Huffman

Pemberville

David Kushma, the editor of The Blade, is distressed about the 12 percent voter turnout in our recent election ("Primary had winners, losers, no-shows," column, May 9).

Your staff should give him the percentage of eligible citizens who aren't registered and never vote.

Jesse Otto, Jr.

107th Street

It amazes me that only 12 percent of eligible Lucas County voters voted on May 4. How many were parents who care about the schools their children attend? How many were elders who care about their grandchildren's education?

Where were the 88 percent of eligible voters who let 12 percent make decisions for them? Were most of the voters those who don't need to pay taxes, or care more about their money?

I am a senior citizen on a very small pension and Social Security. Whether taxes are imposed on sales, income, or real estate, I will continue to vote for taxes to keep our schools open, just as I did when my children were in school.

I can do without luxuries we today consider necessities, but not to the detriment of our children's education.

Carolyn Wilburn

Princeton Drive

The habit of voting starts young. If your parents and extended family were voters, if they read the newspaper and magazines, if they followed politics on radio and TV, or if they had conversations over dinner or in the living room in the evenings as my family did, when you came of age, you voted.

My mother and father dressed up in their Sunday best when they went to the polling booth. I was left outside to wonder what magic they did inside. They always came out smiling.

I fear that voting is so low a priority now that the only way to get most people to vote is to give them money. I propose giving every person who can prove that he or she voted a $1,000 tax write-off.

Mike Manion

Glynn Drive

Some people are under the impression that General Motors Co. paid money back to U.S. taxpayers with profits from its business operations ("GM repays $8.1B to U.S.; Canada loan terms are met early," April 22).

Perhaps The Blade should publish a story telling the source of the money with which that first installment was paid. Kudos to GM CEO Ed Whitacre, who seems to be on track to be a politician with his gift of truthing.

Nick Klinkenberg

Waterville

Greece offers proof that with socialism, eventually you run out of other people's money.

James Bedee

Westbourne Road

With summer comes a need for at-home child care. A question parents may ask is: When is baby-sitting right for my child?

There are two aspects to the question: how to choose a baby sitter and how to know when your child is ready to become one.

That a prospective baby sitter is old enough doesn't necessarily mean he or she is qualified. It takes maturity and some experience in caring for younger children to make a responsible sitter. Look for someone who is trained in basic child care, such as diapering, feeding, and first aid, and who can handle emergencies.

Referrals are often the best route to go. If you opt for someone who is new at the business, seek references from neighbors and friends, and do not shy away from a one-on-one interview. Remember to bring up issues such as looking after multiple children or children with special needs, and house rules that you expect to be respected.

Knowing whether your child is ready to become a baby sitter can be a little easier. Make sure he or she is prepared to care for the child as well as any unique needs.

Enrolling your child in an American Red Cross baby sitter's training course is a great way to prepare him or her for the responsibilities.

Du'aa Elnoory

Mandy Zajac

Greater Toledo Chapter American Red Cross

Does the city's new contract with AFSCME seem like deja vu?

You only have to remember the Sept. 27, 2007, Blade editorial about the "sweetheart deal" with the Teamsters that benefited AFSCME. The city was cutting a check to the Teamsters each month that meant taxpayers were paying $600,000 a year in that contract.

The new contract will require AFSCME to pay 3 percent of its pension plan and no co-pay for health insurance.

This contract is just postponing, for a few months, an even greater deficit. As your editorial said, this is "no time to go wobbly" (April 10).

Sharon Zahn-Davis

Valleybrook Drive

I was delighted to read about the terminally ill 13-year-old boy who got his wish to be a superhero for a day. ("Supercharged wish lights up teen's day," May 2).

I applaud the kind and generous people of Seattle who came together in granting this wish.

What a wonderful story.

Our family, like many others, has been changed forever by cancer.

I would encourage all of us to support the research and education that will someday put an end to this disease.

Mary E. Smith

Temperance