There's no cash to aid economy

6/26/2012
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Op-ed columnist E.J. Dionne, Jr., asserts that government can create jobs and should invest in infrastructure to stimulate the economy ("It's properly up to government to foster economic growth," June 12). He apparently fails to understand that there is no money for such investment.

Would an upgraded interstate highway system, high-speed trains, and new schools be great? Of course they would. But we can't have those, because we have chosen instead to invest money in the vast entitlement wasteland.

It would be easy to cut the deficit, stimulate the economy, lower taxes, and invest in infrastructure all at the same time, if we would simply stop giving money away and getting nothing in return.

Kevin Decker
Providence Township

Mandel's giveback not sign of truth

The writer of the June 12 Readers' Forum letter "Mandel exactly what Ohio needs" is off base.

Ohio Senate candidate Josh Mandel's decision to return campaign donations doesn't demonstrate his truthfulness, but possibly fear of persecution. His performance as state treasurer is so shoddy that it is ridiculous for the writer to say that Mr. Mandel has been of "the highest character, integrity, and honor."

We do not want to add another person of this caliber to the ranks of our legislators.

Democrat Sen. Sherrod Brown has spent time with Republican Sen. Rob Portman working for the good of our country. Voters should compare Sen. Brown's efforts and accomplishments to those of Mr. Mandel, who is working to help himself and his friends at Ohio taxpayers' expense.

Adele Federman
Mockingbird Lane

Davis-Besse's time running out?

The Davis-Besse nuclear power plant is scary ("Minor leak found at Davis-Besse; Pinhole defect no hazard, NRC says," June 9). There have been nuclear accidents at Three Mile Island and in Russia and Japan. Is it our turn?

Dick Drzewiecki
Ryan Road

Adult children? That's ridiculous

A person is either an adult or a child; a person becomes an adult at age 18. It's ridiculous that "adult children" are permitted to freeload off their parents' health insurance policies until the age of 26 ("Insurer vows to keep parts of health law; Several key provisions to stand regardless of high court ruling," June 11).

Is it any shock that unemployment rates among young, fully capable adults are so high, given how little responsibility and accountability are expected of them? It is pathetic and embarrassing for parents and their adult children to accept this handout and mentality.

Stephanie Evans
Meadowwood Drive