LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Medicaid needs to be expanded

11/5/2013

Medicaid expansion is crucial to Ohio’s future (“On poverty, Kasich bucks GOP; Social safety net stance puts governor at odds with conservatives,” Nov. 3). If it doesn’t happen, the state will continue to lose population even faster.

Ohio will lose young entrepreneurs, artists, start-up companies, small businesses, and self-employed individuals. All are increasingly vital to a diverse economy. The alternative is a state with only large institutions such as health-care monopolies, unions, corporate chain stores, and government, which are the main industries here already.

The best thing Ohio can do for business is to release its citizens from the bondage of health insurance tied to specific employers.

Surprisingly, Gov. John Kasich is trying to do the right thing by supporting Medicaid expansion. That may not be consistent with the Republican position, but it is consistent with his views on supporting increased opportunity and business development in Ohio.

HUGH COLLINS
Adams Street

Latta did wrong in debt vote
U.S. Rep. Bob Latta (R., Bowling Green) did the wrong thing with his vote against ending the government shutdown (“Jordan and Latta votes raise questions; shutdown crisis, future leave residents uneasy,” Oct. 20).

He swore an oath of office to uphold the Constitution, written by our Founding Fathers to promote the general welfare of the people of the United States. How can he claim that keeping the government closed and not paying our bills would have promoted our general welfare?

Mr. Latta should remember who pays his salary. It’s not the Tea Party or the Republican Party. It isn’t the voters who elected him, not the residents of his district, not even the State of Ohio. He gets his pay from the national treasury.

He should think about that the next time a vote comes up that affects our nation as a whole.

ROBERT KELSO
Sylvania Township

 

Latta a shadow of his father
As a member of the aging Baby Boomer population, I recall conversations about the fear of becoming our parents.

Mr. Latta doesn’t have to worry about that. He’ll never be anything like his father, former U.S. Rep. Del Latta. We are the worse for it.

JAMIE BLACK
Loudonville, Ohio

 

Ohio apologetic for Boehner
Ohio should be apologetic for producing the likes of House Speaker John Boehner and his folly. Where is the old GOP?

The behavior of Mr. Boehner and his cohorts puts one in mind of difficult people suffering midlife-crisis syndrome.

History books will record this juvenile conduct. Isn’t that a pitiful legacy?

MARY JANE KELLY
Erie, Mich.

 

Government let voters down
Voters will remember a government that has let them down.

It’s time for a third party. People deserve proper representation.

JULES RENSCH
West Alexis Road