Pakistan, India not the same
11/14/2010America's tendency to put Pakistan and India in the same basket must be discarded, as the countries are dissimilar (“President backs India for key U.N. panel seat; Pakistan criticizes global status for rival,” Nov. 9).
One is a thriving democracy and economy. The other is a breeding ground for terrorists and, for the most part, a military dictatorship.
President Obama was correct in disassociating these countries during his visit to Asia. Pakistan can learn much from India.
Rather than being consumed by hatred of that country and the Kashmir problem, it can learn from India how to grow its economy within a democratic framework.
Anant P. Labhsetwar
Ottawa Hills
Unnoticed and off the global radar scope, our trade enemy China is moving at the speed of light to construct nuclear plants.
While our hard-working, self-serving professional politicians are focused on their careers, and the public with Dancing With the Stars, China is roaring into world dominance of electrical power generation by spending billions.
China is close to becoming self-sufficient in production of nuclear reactor parts, design, construction, and the complete fuel cycle.
Our green leaders want to shut down the vital coal industry, pushing wind and solar power and little electric cars. One interesting comparison: The United States has zero construction of nuclear plants.
China is moving its huge wind turbine manufacturing to Nevada. In a few years, China will enter the U.S. nuclear market with its proven designs at costs significantly below ours.
What does all this mean? More Ohio jobs never to return, national security weakened, and our reputation as the world's technology leader again diminished. I never liked playing follow the leader.
Ken Benjamin
President
Benjamin Company
Port Clinton
It is inconceivable that President Obama's bipartisan deficit commission recommended cutting the income tax rate for our wealthiest citizens during this time of record deficits (“Social Security, tax breaks targeted to cut debt,” Nov. 11).
The commission co-chairmen proposed that the wealthy pay 15 percent on capital gains and dividends, and 23 percent on other income. In 1929, just before the stock market crash and the Great Depression, tax rates for the wealthy were not much different on capital gains and on other income. How many times do we have to repeat history before somebody finally learns from it?
The commission's several recommended tax increases were aimed at middle-class families. I guess that's to be expected, when the wealthy are allowed to own politicians.
Ken Close
Orchard Tree Lane
President Obama is photographed shaking hands with President Lee Myung-bak of South Korea. The United States exports one car to Korea for every 52 cars that Korea sends here (“Obama's economic plan runs into wall; Free trade pact with South Korea a no-go,” Nov. 12).
We are being taken for fools in all the Asian countries.
Bob Gibson
Carey, Ohio
I cannot believe that someone would suggest that parents pay tuition to send their children to public schools (“Charge public school parents,” Readers' Forum letter, Nov. 10)
A lot of hard-working families also pay taxes and would love to send their children to a private school, but can't afford to.
It's selfish, prideful, and sad that some rich taxpayers forget about the poor.
If Toledo Public Schools started making people pay tuition for their children's education, there would be a lot of children not going to school and the high school dropout statistics would be higher than they already are.
Karin E. Wilkinson
Forsythe Street
By presiding for four years over an inept, do-nothing Democratic House, Speaker Nancy Pelosi earned the vilification to which you refer in your Nov. 10 editorial “Pelosi must go.”
You say “Republicans are masters at demonizing their opponents,” but then you call Newt Gingrich “flaky.” Pot calling the kettle black, perhaps?
Vilification of one's political opponents is an unfortunate characteristic of our political system, which you aptly demonstrate in this editorial.
I have just moved back to Toledo after many years. One thing that apparently hasn't changed in 60 years is that The Blade is still politically challenged.
Richard Andrews
Colburn Street
Those who are blessed with the resources, willingness, and ability to share their gifts should be commended for donating their time, talent, and treasure in the spirit of good stewardship.
Major donations can inspire us all to give what we can to support our churches in the Toledo Catholic Diocese.
I hope this will help reduce the large number of closings and mergers of parishes and schools. It may be the best recruitment tool to help us keep sharing Catholic educational values.
Jeffery Johnoff
Verna Drive
The 2010 midterm elections were the most expensive in history, with a total cost that is now expected to equal roughly $4 billion (“Midterm campaigns boom for businesses; Billions in outlays ranged from ads to pizza, candy,” Nov. 8).
Did anyone not scream “enough”? We need a lot more reforms of our political process, such as shortening the time to campaign.
The money spent on campaigns could be used to rebuild our national infrastructure.
Ron Mainous
Port Clinton
I thank all the people involved in the construction project on Secor Road (“Secor work to shut Sylvania Avenue,” July 11).
Although I have been inconvenienced on almost a daily basis, I have been intrigued by the progress.
Throughout my commute, I have been impressed by the diligence of the workers involved with the project. They have been polite and engaged in their work.
The project progressed in a logical and efficient manner, keeping interruptions to a minimum.
The project has turned out very nicely. Thanks for a good job.
Karen Johnson
Harvest Lane
I joined your readers who switched to reading the newspaper on a computer, but I found my short experience unfulfilling.
I missed the feel, the touch, and the rustle of the paper in my hand and my mind, experiencing the events and happenings in the world around me.
I broke down after two weeks and restarted my delivery of the newspaper. I guess some habits should not succumb to advances in technology, and you should allow yourself to enjoy things at your own pace.
Rehana Ahmed
Perrysburg