Ohio needs to look to the future

7/17/2012

In response to Blade Editor David Kushma's June 17 op-ed column, "Got that diploma? Now stick around," about brain drain in northwest Ohio: I have spent my entire 32 years here. Why do I stay? Friends and family. Why would I consider leaving? That's more complicated.

"ObamaCare" is a bad word in Ohio. Rather than wasting time with constitutional votes that mean nothing, Ohio should be looking to the future.

Marriage equality for the lesbian-gay-bisexual-transgender community is a natural extension of basic human rights. Our state constitution, which should promote equality and rights for all, outlaws gay marriage. Family should be about love, support, and community, in whatever form it materializes.

Ohio is ignoring climate change while fighting to maintain its legacy as a coal producer.

If we Ohioans leave our heads in the sand politically, socially, and environmentally, we have little hope of retaining our young people. We must recast our views and values in light of what is possible, rather than holding an anchor in the mid-20th century.

Chris Riddle
Bowling Green

Focus on race unwelcome issue

Former Michigan state Rep. Mary Waters said she is the "only black Detroiter" in the race to represent the new 14th U.S. House District ("Is Michigan's Rep. Clarke suddenly not black enough?", op-ed column, July 6).

Meanwhile, U.S. Rep. Hansen Clarke said through his spokesman that he will skip the remaining multicandidate debates because of the "use of certain racist rhetoric and race-baiting by certain candidates" in the primary race.

Boy, have I had it wrong all these years. I believed it was people's character and the quality of their work ethic that mattered, not the color of their skin.

Chris Mollis
Fremont

Poll, placement of article questioned

The results from a poll showing that the presidential race is dead even beg a few questions ("Poll: Obama, Romney in deadlocked run for office; Costly campaign blitz has little effect on voters," July 11).

There was no mention of the respondents' political affiliation. Were Democrats, Republicans, and independents polled equally? Why were registered voters polled and not the more statistically reliable likely voters ?

In the event that future polls show President Obama trailing Mitt Romney, will The Blade run the story on page three, as you did this article?

Jim Krusinski
Goddard Road

Charter schools fulfill a need

The writer of the June 28 Readers' Forum letter "Charter schools encroach on TPS" takes a narrow-minded view of Toledo's charter schools. The Toledo School for the Arts fulfills a need that Toledo Public Schools couldn't possibly fulfill, nor should they have to.

Charter schools such as TSA allow bright, talented young people with musical, artistic, and other talents and abilities to delve further into their fields, while acquiring a regular junior high and high school education.

Not allow charter schools? I think not. TPS will fill their schools with the other talented children they serve.

Gene Curtis
Branch Drive