LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Portman’s vote hurt disabled

12/17/2012

Sen. Rob Portman of Ohio was one of the 38 Republican senators who voted against the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Treaty, defeating legislation that has been ratified by more than 125 countries (“Rick Santorum and the Tea Party still holding sway,” op-ed column, Dec. 7).

Why did our senator vote against this treaty? Moderates in the GOP voted for it. Is Senator Portman no longer a moderate Republican?

Perhaps he was swayed by falsehoods put out before the vote that the global community could force America to sanction sterilization or abortion for the disabled. Or that the treaty would attack home-schoolers or pupils in religious schools. Or maybe, as former senator Rick Santorum warned, that international bureaucrats would decide the fate of disabled children.

Either Senator Portman is gullible or he has moved to the far right of the political spectrum. Whichever it is, Ohioans were poorly served by his vote.

DENIS EBLE

Sylvania Township

 

Portman’s stand on cliff disturbing

Your Nov. 30 article “Portman wants entitlement, tax reform in deal” reports that Senator Portman said the fiscal crisis should be used to reform taxes and Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security. This is disturbing.

Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid are not what caused the deficit. Mr. Portman should know this, because he was director of the Office of Management and Budget under President George W. Bush — and saw what the primary contributors to the deficit were.

The fiscal crisis shouldn’t be used as an excuse to attack these programs. Did Mr. Portman not hear the voice of Ohio’s voters this year?

We resoundingly rejected attacks on Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. The budget should not be balanced on the backs of seniors.

BENTLEY DAVIS

State Director Ohio Alliance for Retired Americans Columbus

 

Why do same pols get elected?

Congress has had years to come together on this budgetary fiasco, but lawmakers chose to worry about their elections more than the economy and the people they represent.

We have re-elected this do-nothing government, thinking this is the time it will get serious and stop kicking the can down the road. This is wishful thinking.

So who is at fault: the Obama Administration, Republicans, Democrats, or the people who continue to vote them into office?

TONY ESPOSITO

Regina Parkway

 

Buying domestic goods wise move

Your Nov. 28 article “Survey shows more Chinese want U.S. label; Researcher cites perception of quality, strength of brands” should be an eye-opener to Americans who shop for and buy foreign-made goods.

Not only are our products superior to those made by the Chinese, it also makes sense to support our neighbors.

It’s time for the American consumer to realize it’s smarter to buy domestic goods.

JEFFREY CLARK

Grand Rapids, Ohio