LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

GOP tests citizens' mettle

6/30/2011

Gov. John Kasich's sale of Ohio's assets and his policy that strips public employees of pension benefits and their right to bargain will yield a benefit now at the expense of the future ("Public workers in Ohio race to retire," June 27).

This concerted effort by the Republicans is an experiment, at the state level, to see whether people of this country are willing to accept the concept of capitalism as more important than the concept of democracy.

It is an experiment to see whether people will willingly accept drastic cuts in services from their government so that large corporations can yield greater profits and, it's hoped, create jobs -- which, because of the reduced influence of unions, may or may not pay a living wage.

Little of this will benefit small local businesses that create 65 percent to 80 percent of the jobs in this country. The reduction in public employees' pay and benefits will affect local businesses adversely.

Moody's Investors Service reported in October, 2010, that large U.S. corporations, collectively, were sitting on more than $1 trillion in cash. How much more do they need to create jobs?

Ron J. Bores

Fostoria

 

Poetry often used to relay history

I take exception to the June 26 Readers' Forum letter "Does poem prove Santa's existence?"

There is a big difference between fiction and a poetic account of historic events. The reason Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's poem "Paul Revere's Ride" has survived since 1861 is that it provides an easy way to remember an important real event.

Although there are historical inaccuracies in the work, the basic facts are documented elsewhere. To suggest that it is a work of fiction disparages the research and craft employed to create this memorable poem.

Poets have used poetry to relate history at least since Homer's Iliad described the fall of Troy, and still do.

I'm sure we would not take time to remember the Edmund Fitzgerald every November had it not been for Gordon Lightfoot's poetic interpretation of the event.

Thomas Pellitieri

Butterfield Drive

 

Zoo should charge nonresidents more

The Toledo Zoo is missing the boat by trying to get another county to help foot the bill for its operations ("Wood County rejects zoo levy," June 22).

Wood County residents' objection to the proposed levy is hard to refute because they already enjoy some of the same benefits Lucas County residents do, without paying more in taxes. That is the solution: Make them pay more.

The zoo should impose higher admission prices for nonresidents. The price of individual and family memberships, group outings, and special events should also be higher for nonresidents.

On a recent visit to the zoo, I looked at the cars in the row in which I parked. Wood County was well represented, as was Michigan. There were a few cars from Defiance, Fulton, Henry, Ottawa, and Sandusky counties, as well as Florida, Indiana, New York, and North Carolina.

To ask neighboring counties or states to provide support for the zoo would be an insurmountable and unsuccessful endeavor. Other zoos in the region have higher rates for nonresidents, and the Toledo Zoo should too.

Mike Koschalk

Waterville

 

It's OK to vote early, but not often

Maybe not all Republicans vote, but at least most of those who do will do so only once ("Elections editorial gets this vote," Readers' Forum, June 27).

And not many deceased Republicans vote. Can the same be said for Democrats?

Edward Moore

Erie, Mich.