Corporate cash does the talking

6/14/2010

President Obama and the government were called socialist for passing a weak health-care bill. Now that BP's oil spill has reached epic proportions, hypocrites ask: Where's the government?

Follow the money. Walk down K Street in Washington, where corporate lobbyists "reflect" the will of America.

After all, the ideal of government of the people, by the people, and for the people is still alive because the Supreme Court declared corporations to be persons ("High court sheds limits on campaign spending," Jan. 22).

The government is any corporation that can buy a politician. So stop complaining, America. Get used to oily birds, polluted beaches, toxic food, more entitlements for corporations, and less funding for Social Security and Medicare.

Don't whine when your wages go down or you lose your job and benefits to a foreign country. It's the American way. You don't want to be a socialist, do you? Just ask the Tea Party.

Paul Szymanowski

Curtice, Ohio

Seldom has the Supreme Court made such a poor decision. Anyone who looks at a corporation knows it is not a person.

A corporation is a godless, unfeeling, mindless gathering of people who act in the best interest of the corporation, not in the way they really feel.

Walter Bringman

Lambertville

Chris Matthews of MSNBC has described the Tea Party as "the rise of the new right." I guess that means the fall of the old wrong. And now there is a new wrong right.

Gene Mominee

Oregon

I read with amusement a Readers' Forum letter asking where the Tea Partiers were the previous eight years. What a short memory or just plain ignorance that comment shows.

In 2006 and 2008, libertarians, independents, and other economic conservatives left the Republican Party over fiscal irresponsibility. The Democrats won Congress in 2006 and expanded their majorities in 2008.

President Obama and the Democrats then did the impossible: They outspent George W. Bush and the Republicans. To me the better question is: Why are Democrats all of a sudden OK with Mr. Obama's overspending?

Bob Thrasher

Carskaddon Avenue

The proposed ballot initiative to establish minimum humane standards for farm animals is not only reasonable but overdue ("Animal cruelty up close," editorial, June 3).

Our state's industrial farms hold millions of egg-laying hens, pigs, and veal calves in cages so small they spend most of their lives practically immobilized. The proposed measure will give Ohio's livestock board up to six years to enforce the basic standards.

People who agree that animals on farms deserve basic protection should sign Ohioans for Humane Farms' petition for the ballot initiative. Information on how to do that is at OhioHumane.com.

Laurie Craig

Rossford

Why haven't we heard a word about the Federal Emergency Management Agency during the oil spill in the Gulf?

I thought FEMA was in charge of any kind of national emergency.

Wendy Szempias

Cuba Street

Here's hoping that all those people who were so interested in driving out to view the tornado damage are just as interested in donating their time, needed items, or money to those who were affected.

Scott H. Decker

Maumee

I went with a friend to a Memorial Day service at a cemetery. While the pastor was giving honor to our servicemen, someone lit a cigarette.

How rude. If he had been in church, would he have done the same?

Helen Stith

Weston, Ohio

I was a critically ill patient at St. Luke's Hospital last winter. I was cared for in the intensive care unit and in a semiprivate room for 6 1/2 weeks.

That experience reaffirmed my belief that St. Luke's is a great hospital.

After I had been home for about three weeks, a nurse who cared for me in the ICU stopped by to check on my recovery.

I hope that the motto "Patients first always" will continue ("St. Luke's to join ProMedica in summer," May 27).

Maumee should be proud of having such an outstanding medical facility.

Dorothy Hintz

Perrysburg

Toledo Board of Education President Bob Vasquez wants to bring in experts to solve the school district's problems ("Expert advice sought for TPS," June 2).

Isn't that the job of the school board? Shouldn't the experts be brought in to replace board members?

It sounds as if Toledo Public Schools needs more changes at the top instead of cuts at the bottom.

Beau Ruetz

Lima Avenue

Am I a fan of Crystal Bowersox? You bet; what's not to like?

Her talent is undeniable, she's cute as a button, and I've heard nothing but good things about her character ("Bowersox 'at peace' with 'Idol' outcome," May 29).

But fame and fortune can do strange things to people. I hope Ms. Bowersox understands that it is her humble demeanor people find attractive and refreshing.

I hope she focuses on her craft and continues to use her newfound celebrity for philanthropic endeavors.

She should dive deep into her pool of inspiration and concentrate on being a singer, songwriter, philosopher, and poet.

But if Ms. Bowersox lends her voice to the hot-button issues of our day, if she becomes a Hollywood-type social activist, not burdened with a cause but driven by hubris, she will weaken her fan base and tarnish her shining star.

It will be fascinating to watch her play the hand she's been dealt.

Don Gozdowski

Franklin Avenue

Beginning this fall, St. John's Jesuit High School will reclassify almost all its teachers as part-time. They will teach fewer classes but still have to "volunteer" on an almost weekly basis to work at fund-raisers, dances, retreats, and other weekend events.

Teachers also will be required to cover absent teachers' classes without pay. Nearly 80 percent of teachers will not have health insurance.

I suspect many St. John's parents are unaware of this plan. They need to speak out.

If the Diocese of Toledo has any influence, I hope Bishop Leonard Blair will do the right thing too.

Rebecca Golden

Sylvania