LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Redraw districts to make sense
10/28/2013Thanks to gerrymandering, I am represented by a congressman who is controlled by his party and has not been receptive to hearing views that are contrary to the party’s position (“Jordan and Latta votes raise questions; Shutdown crisis, future leave residents uneasy,” Oct. 20).
I have voiced my views numerous times via phone calls and email to the office of U.S. Rep. Bob Latta (R., Bowling Green), to no avail. His mass-distributed communications demonstrate that his mind is made up and paid for by those who control him.
However, Mr. Latta is no different from nearly all other politicians in Washington — there are a few good ones — who are not in touch with America. Most of those lawmakers are wealthy, are well-connected to the political machines that get them into office, and represent the privileged 1 percent.
The only way to resolve this crisis of ineffectiveness is to have a constitutional amendment provide for redrawing all state and federal legislative districts so that they are based on logical shape and size, without regard for voters’ party affiliations.
Until we get a true representative government, we will continue to face the same issues over and over again, as the wealthy control our government.
DAN MADIGAN
Waterville
Latta, Jordan and a pet example
U.S. Reps. Latta and Jim Jordan (R., Urbana) voted against reopening the federal government. If they were to find that their pet cat or dog was infested with fleas, would they decide it would be better to shoot the pet rather than find a solution to get rid of the fleas?
NANCY SCHUCK
Crestwood Road
GOP is so divided it can’t govern
I’m not so sure that Democrats and Republicans are so divided that they can’t govern, but Republicans are so divided that they can’t govern (“Hope that normal governance will return to Washington,” op-ed column, Oct. 22).
We have three political parties. One, the Tea Party, is cloaked in Republican clothing. Until now, a minority has been making the decisions — or nondecisions.
I hope the future brings decisions that will improve our quality of life, rather than endanger it.
JIM RAY
Waterville
Did anyone win in end to crisis?
The government is restored, Obamacare remains intact, and our debt crisis has been averted (“New budget talks begin to prevent another crisis,” Oct. 18).
So now we are more than $17 trillion in debt, and we have more government then we ever have had before, including a federal heath care system that even its creators claim is flawed.
The best part is that we get to relive all the drama again after the Christmas season.
So the question remains: Who won?
TONY ESPOSITO
Regina Parkway