Dear, oh, dear; no Dem party
5/1/2013Blade editorial cartoonist Kirk Walters got it right in his April 24 episode of Maumee Dearest, which said there is no Democratic Party in Toledo.
Labor has dictated to candidates masquerading as Democrats for years, in both the city and Lucas County. That is one of the chief reasons the city and county are in a shambles.
County Republicans can’t get along with each other, let alone mount a strong campaign to run for office without labor’s support. A few conservatives have been known to campaign as Democrat (Labor) Party candidates.
We need independent candidates — Democrat or Republican — who think of the constituency first, rather than bowing to labor leaders, who in recent years have done less and less for their membership.
We need to right the local ship of state, and shun undue influence by special-interest groups that may not always have the best interests of residents at heart.
FRED NOFZIGER
Moncolva Township
Humane Society of U.S. not federal
The Blade refers to the Humane Society of the United States as a federal agency, but the group is a private organization (“Humane Society to get abused, displaced dogs,” April 16). It’s easy to be confused by the group’s name.
Our public polling finds that most people believe the Humane Society of the United States is an umbrella group for pet shelters, but it is not a national office for local humane societies.
Toledo area animal lovers should find a local group and support it.
RICK BERMAN
Executive Director Center for Consumer Freedom
Washington
U.S. should care for wounded vets
I served in the U.S. Navy Reserve and later in the Air Force. A TV commercial urges the public to support the Wounded Warrior Project by paying $19 monthly.
Why is an organization seeking support for those who were injured in service to their country? What does the solicited money do for the wounded?
Young men and women who have returned from active duty with life-altering injuries should not have to depend on something other than the U.S. government to fully support them. I am offended by this commercial, but I refuse to feel guilty for not giving money if I don’t want to or can’t afford to.
Lawmakers who don’t approve funding that the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs requests shouldn’t stick their noses in some other country’s business by sending our young people to get shot and killed, without watching over the wounded for the rest of their lives.
CHARLES DERSHER
Sylvania
Would attention to case have helped?
I remember the murder of Wendabi Triplett last December and how tragic it was (“Not all cases of murder publicized,” Readers’ Forum, April 25). I also wondered, as Ms. Triplett’s mother did, why there wasn’t any public outcry or publicity, as there was in the Kaitlin Gerber case.
If a review of the Triplett case and more attention to cases of domestic violence had begun in December, the Gerber tragedy might have been prevented.
MONICA GALLOWAY
Plumleaf Lane