LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Capital punishment must go
12/2/2013Your Nov. 24 article “Death penalty cases ebb in Lucas County and Ohio; Decline tied to more flexibility in sentencing” reported that some of our local justice leaders rightfully feel we should no longer have the death penalty. Ohio laws and directives require them to perform their jobs and duties under a system that they oppose in principle.
Lucas County Prosecutor Julia Bates and Lucas County Common Pleas Court Judge Linda Jennings have it right about their reasons for opposing the death penalty.
It is time for us to focus on crime prevention and prisoner rehabilitation and allow those convicted of the most horrendous crimes the ability to pursue redemption.
FRED MOOR
Grand Rapids, Ohio
Death penalty needs to end
I am glad to see that The Blade, local prosecutors, and defense attorneys are finally speaking up about the inequities of the death penalty in Ohio (“Ohio should kill capital punishment,” op-ed column, Nov. 17).
Michael DiSalle, a former Toledo mayor and Ohio governor, was an early and passionate opponent of the death penalty, and especially of how the poor were disproportionately affected by it. Better late than never.
CHRIS BOYER
Lambertville, Mich.
Care act isn’t all that affordable
Because of the Affordable Care Act — which isn’t that affordable — the cost of my individual health insurance policy will increase by 24 percent ($115) a month (“Obama in retreat over health care, his legacy,” op-ed column, Nov. 26).
My husband and I are on a fixed income, so this will affect our consumer spending. Major hospitals plan massive cutbacks starting in January because of decreased reimbursements, yet there is supposed to be an increase in consumers who need health care.
This will turn our world-class health system into an inadequate health delivery system, and there will be less consumer spending because of higher insurance costs for so many.
SUE MOENTER
Perrysburg
Obamacare flies in face of reality
Obamacare is failing because Americans will not accept government-controlled welfare. Reality is at the root of the present conflict between government-administrated socialism and free enterprise capitalism.
J. MURRAY STEWART
Shoreland Avenue