Dear Editor,

The unemployment report at 7.8% with 32 days left before the election gives a false impression.  Not counted were those who have stopped looking for a job, unemployment is closer to 14% with over 23,000,000 Americans unemployed or underemployed.

More people are looking to the Fair Tax Plan to solve this nation’s economic woes.  It would

(1) give every worker their full paycheck

(2) permit businesses to compete in the world market without having to pay high taxes

(3) Require all the current tax dodgers to pay their fair share.

Any doubters this would work need only think what would happen if everyone has their full paycheck to put back into the economy and if every business and individual did not have to pay federal income taxes or report anything to the IRS ever again.

For more information: fairtax.org.

Roy T Newsom,  Granbury, Texas

The Obama administration is currently negotiating another free trade agreement, which will increase the likelihood of awarding federal contracts to foreign companies located on the Pacific Rim. Countries in Southeast Asia will benefit by the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), add jobs, while the U.S. could lose more manufacturing jobs.

If the TPP is approved by Congress, a provision in the agreement will ban “Buy American” requirements in federal government contracts. Over the past 80 years U.S. companies have received needed help in securing federal contracts due to “Buy American” provisions stipulated in the contracts.

In 2011 the Obama administration supported three so called fair trade agreements originally negotiated by the Bush administration. The policies of Bush and Obama have strengthened manufacturing operations in foreign countries and have led to the movement of U.S. jobs overseas. The TPP agreement would mean the U.S. could eliminate any tariffs on goods from the Asia-Pacific countries, which could cost more U.S. manufacturing jobs.

We have to make it more attractive for U.S. companies to keep jobs in this country. Maybe then we will decrease unemployment from near 8% to a more respectable 4% level and decrease our trade deficits with foreign countries.

 Donald A. Moskowitz, Londonderry, NH

There is one thing that would, for certain, jump-start the U S economy and create MANY JOBS.  Expect career politicians and congressional lobbyists to resist it mightily.  The reason; its adoption would adversely affect all their pocket books and seriously diminish congress’s power over and control of American citizens.  It’s called The FairTax.

The FairTax is a “consumption” tax; a national sales tax.  The IRS would be annihilated; nobody pays income tax anymore and no payroll taxes paid by businesses or employees.  Every earner keeps ALL THEY HAVE EARNED!  The price of all American made goods would drop by an estimated 22%.   That is the figure researchers estimate the income tax and the payroll taxes add to the cost of everything produced in America.

The national sales tax rate would be 23%.  So there’s no increase in cost-of-living for Americans.  But economists estimate that in the first year after the FairTax becomes law, the economy will grow over 10%, exports will grow by 26% and capital spending will increase over 70%.  There are many additional advantages of the FairTax!  Read The FairTax Book to learn much more.

Then ask your congressional candidates about The FairTax and insist they support it!

Glen Terrell, Arlington, Texas

To The Editor:

Have we learned nothing?  Why, I repeat, why would anyone these days consider going to a movie, political event or their house of worship unarmed?  Obviously the slaughter of innocents hasn’t made much of an impression on the fools who continue to take these walks on the wild side, and they only have themselves to blame for the consequences of their lack of preparedness.

Really, how many times does the N.R.A. have to tell you that in order to protect your rights, including your right to gather, you need to be packing.  Even PBS types should be able to grasp this simple concept, which leaves me wondering what the congregants of the Wisconsin temple were thinking. Picking and choosing which of your rights to exercise clearly doesn’t work.

If just one member of this congregation would have had the forethought to be armed up with a proper assault weapon (semi-auto, of course) before attending services, perhaps the body count would have been lessened.  Perhaps.  Realistically though, I understand that this is an election year and not the appropriate time to dwell on such as prevention of these incidents.

Better would be another day, another year, another century.  Or not.

Alan MacFarland, Tallmadge, Ohio

Dear Editor,

Fellow Americans, there’s been a proposal before Congress for over a decade that would put America on track to a swift and permanent economic recovery.  Congress won’t pass it unless we demand it.  Its adoption would drastically reduce elected politicians’ power and control over US citizens.  It’s called the Fair Tax.

Adoption of the Fair Tax would (1) do away with the IRS, (2) put American businesses on a level playing field with their global competition, (3) ensure those living below the poverty level pay no taxes, (4) bring both capital and jobs back to America, (5) ensure everyone pays their fair share including tourists and those in the country illegally and (6) result in an economic boom.

From page 106 of The Fair Tax Book: “Economists estimate that in the first year after the Fair Tax Act becomes law, the economy will grow 10.5 %.  Exports will grow by 26 %.  Capital spending will increase by more than 70%.”

Every candidate running for congressional office must be asked about their support of the Fair Tax at every opportunity; Town Hall meetings, public appearances and every debate.  Read the book, push hard and the Fair Tax could be adopted soon.

Glen Terrell, Arlington, Texas

ggeett37@gmail.com

Dear Editor,

I just watched the movie “Crawford” and I must say I am proud of that town for giving you the boot! Your recommendation of Kerry is quite horrific, considering his stance on almost everything.

You must be an Obama fan!

I am so sick of liberals.

Joshua Thuma,

College Station, Texas

Dear Editor,

If you or someone in your family gets sick, I am willing to help you. Would you be willing to do the same? If you are, that is the essence of universal health care.

Some people say “why should the government pay for people’s health care?” But government is us, you and me. It is not some far-off entity, distinct from the people. It is by the people, for the people, of the people. Government money is our taxes.

Helping each other is the Christian thing to do. So why has there been no outcry from Christian leaders? Have they forgotten that when Jesus returns, he will say to those he sends to heaven, “I was sick and you helped me.”?

To the hell-bound he will say “I was sick and you did not help me.”

A perfect opportunity has presented itself to the religious community to save lives and improve the lot of millions of fellow citizens, while assuring a place in heaven, avoiding fiery damnation, and giving the church relevance and purpose.

For Christ’s sake, I implore the Christians of America to stand up for universal health care.

”What you do for these, the least of my brothers, you do for me.”

Bruce Benson

To The Editor:

We live in a nation that has a black president. His election was made possible due to a large number of white voters who chose to vote for him. In fact, without the white vote, Obama could not have been elected. This should have put to rest the constant cries of racism in America. But, it hasn’t. If we disagree with our president we are immediately labeled racist.

There is an old saying to the effect that if you can’t stop the message, then shoot the messenger. When people come up with legitimate objections to our present administration’s policies, there are those who will shoot them down with the cries of racism.

Martin Luther King’s most famous dream was that there would come a day when people would not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the quality of their character. The policies of an administration represent the character of that administration. The constant cries of racism are doing more to destroy King’s dream than to bring it to reality. In fact, if because of someone’s race, we are not allowed to disagree with his policy, then King’s dream has died. It has been shot down by the very people who will support a person because of his race with no consideration of his character.

Steve Casey, Stonewall, La.

Dear Editor,

My years around the poker table “if” dealt lots of laughs from the winners.

Imagine “if” we could place all our “ifs” at the foot of this new Key West statue.

Always thought the first visit to Heaven (“if” a Heaven and I make it) would be to run into God’s (“if” a God) library and check out my book to see His path for me, and “my” path taken.

Mike Sawyer, Key West, Fla.

Letter to the Editor:

Less Safe On Obama’s Watch

As a former naval intelligence officer on a high level staff (Top Secret Cryptographic clearance), I agree with President Obama that the breach of security associated with the Detroit-bound airliner is “totally unacceptable.”  The warning signs were there, but the intelligence community failed to recognize, analyze and disseminate the information.  This is the same type of failure which led to the 9/11 attacks and the Ft. Hood massacre.

Although only a small percentage of Middle East inhabitants are terrorists, almost all of the terrorists emanate from Middle East countries.  We have to pay much more attention to travelers to this country from the Middle East and a few other countries, and our Department of Homeland Security has to work with foreign airports to beef up their security operations.  We need many more intelligence officials who are proficient in Arabic and who can penetrate al Qaida networks in various countries, including Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Yemen.

Unfortunately, the Bush Administration transferred a number of Yemini terrorists from Guantanamo Bay back to Yemen, and at least one of them was involved in the planning for the attack on the Detroit-bound airliner.  President Obama wants to close down Guantanamo and transfer the terrorists to the U.S. mainland for prosecution.  Will these terrorists be convicted of their crimes?  Will they be executed?  If not, how long will they stay in prison?  Will they be eligible for parole?  Will they spread their hate for the U.S. to other inmates?  Why take a chance with these hard core terrorists?  Keet them in Guantanamo.

We need President Obama to stop appeasing the leaders of countries that sponsor terrorism including Iran, Syria, and Somalia; and he has to cease bowing to leaders of the world, and appearing subservient to them.  These actions are construed by terrorists as signs of weakness, which give the terrorists inspiration to attack us.

President Obama weakened the CIA operations, and the intelligence agencies in general, when he criticized the CIA for its interrogation techniques.  Although some of these techniques might be unacceptable to the world community, we have to be able to somehow access information from captured terrorists.  I believe the recent failures of our intelligence agencies to provide warnings of potential terrorist activities can be partially attributable to some apathy and lack of initiative within the intelligence community, and President Obama bears some responsibility for the climate of distrust among intelligence officials.

Janet Napolitano is not qualified to fill the position of Secretary of Homeland Security.  We need a professional intelligence/security person in this critical position.  Unfortunately, most high level federal positions, including cabinet positions, go to unqualified politicians for payback for supporting the President during the campaign.

Note: The President was deeply involved and approved the people for these positions.

The U.S. is less safe on Obama’s watch, and we could be susceptible to on-going terrorist attacks due to an appeasing and apologetic President, incompetent Secretary of Homeland Security, and weakened intelligence agencies.

P.S.  Bring on the body scanners.  At my age it could be exciting.

Donald A. Moskowitz, Londonderry, NH

To The Editor

It’s finally happened.  Two events have struck stunning and seemingly insoluble blows to our already weakened democracy, January 19 and 21, 2010, respectively: the special election in Massachusetts to fill the Senate seat vacated by fighting liberal Ted Kennedy won by ultra-conservative Scott Brown and the 5 to 4 Supreme Court decision to uncap the limit on campaign contributions.

The former prevents Democrats in the House from sending a modified health care reform bill to the Senate, thus obliging them to pass the diluted but better-than-nothing Senate bill for the president to sign into law, one that can be improved upon later.

The latter will negatively affect every current and future issue—including global warming, wildlife, the national parks, outsourcing and health care reform—to be voted on by lawmakers, allowing corporations, including foreign companies abroad, to use their endless funds to lure and intimidate candidates and manipulate elections.

Not above the politicall fray, as the nation’s highest court is expected to be, while erroneously applying the First Amendment, the five nonimpartial conservative justices are no better than bullies and thugs, daring any individual or group to cross them, expressly predetermining the consequences of their vote, thereby casting to the errant winds common sense and justice for the many.  In the president’s words, the decision is “a major victory for big oil, Wall Street banks, health insurance companies and the other powerful interests that marshal their power every day in Washington. . .”

There are possible solutions, if the uncorrupted and truly civic-minded members of the legislative branch have the brain power, patience and fortitude to set them in motion.

(We can’t expect the likes of senators Joe Lieberman and Evan Bayh who, with their spouses Hadassah and Susan, have mightily profited from their strong pharma/insurance industry affiliations or former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle, also with ties to the private health insurance business and whose wife Linda is a high-powered Washington corporate lobbyist, to participate in any rectifying process.)  What has finally been achieved by aggravated debate and negotiation must be enacted so that health care reform can begin.  The president’s comments on this subject in his January 27 State of the Union address suggest an unshakable determination similar to that of past presidents FDR and LBJ, whose Social Security and Medicare acts, feared by many as socialist, are of such benefit to Americans today.

Democrats Sen.. Chuck Schumer of New York and Rep. Chris Van Hollen of Maryland, anticipating the Court’s 5 to 4 vote, have been working out possible ways to neutralize it:  a ban on corporate political ads; stricter rules on campaigns and outside groups working together; and shareholder approval of political spending.  Democrat Rep. Alan Grayson of Florida is urging Americans to sign his petition, saveourdemocracy.org.

Without serious redress of these unfortunate circumstances, our United States of America, already halfway there, will surely be transformed into the Corporate States of America.

Elizabeth Gerteiny,  Westport, CT  

I want to comment on former President Bush. I’m very angry at Bush for the mess he left behind for President Obama to deal with.

I lost half my 401-K savings, and am facing a layoff from work. It’s hard to move forward, when you’re reminded of eight bad years of the Bush legacy.

Bush is a TRAITOR to the American workers by shipping three million jobs overseas, losing good wages and benefits. That’s why the economy is in trouble!

I hope someday Bush will face very tough times, just like he put our country through!

And I hope I live long enough to see the day when historians will harshly judge Bush as the second worst, and most stupid, president in U.S. history since James Buchanan.

I can tell you this!

Bush was so bad for a president he puts Jimmy Carter, Richard Nixon, and Herbert Hoover to shame!!!

John F. Parker,

Big Bend, Wis.

Dear Editor,

As President Obama continues to push for mandatory health care after he said he was against it when he ran, I hear nothing from either ex president Bush or the senile John McCain. I will never forgive George W. on how he ignored our Mexican Boarder. But I am further disgusted with him and McCain for now showing the slightest concern about fining and jailing those citizens who refuse to be part of this unconstitutional health bill!

Has American really been taken over? Has the Federal Reserve and others who pull the strings finally finished the take over of the United States? It looks like I’m going to have to become a Mennonite or Christian Scientist to stay out of jail, because I refuse to a slave to a liar.

I truly hope that you print this so GW will be too embarrassed to ever show his face in public again.

Sincerely,

Joseph Rene DuPont, Towanda, Penn.

Dear Editor:

After the previous eight years of total incompetence, malfeasance in office, an international joke, encouragement of the culture of corporate greed, environmental abuses and alleged war crimes by the former Bush/Cheney regime, America was given a reprieve to see our way clear of this murky mess by the historic election of President Barack Obama.

As a proud “Bush-basher” from the moment “Dubya” occupied the White House until he was sent packing, and as a patriotic participant in one of the largest anti-Iraq war marches in Washington, D.C., it is not without a sense of irony that I now witness the fanatical zealots of the GOP’s ultra right wing now maliciously attacking every progressive measure proposed by our legitimate president.

The former and once respected Grand Old Party has been hijacked by the likes of non-elected blowhards such as television’s Pied Pipers Glenn Beck, Rush Limbaugh and their equally rabid, foaming at the mouth colleagues.

Their followers, who call themselves “pinheads” or whatever, blindly fall in line with all that floods through the “Joseph Goebbels” cable network (aka: Fox News).

Sadly, the GOP morphed into “Greed Over People” when George W. Bush served the interests of corporate America and now has become “Gobbledegook Oblivious Paranoia” as the ultra conservatives would rather see this nation blind sided and crippled than work for the mutual benefit of all.

While political dissent is needed and welcomed for a healthy democracy (evidenced by the non-threatening demonstrations against Bush after his immoral war in Iraq), the dark forces led by these Sith Lords will continue to spew out their evil lies until the educated and literate moderates and independents, who form the vast center of our political spectrum, say “Enough!”

No more villainous behavior at town hall meetings, no more deliberate falsehoods and deceptions, no more unproven innuendoes and smear campaigns, no more silly “birther” counterfeit certificates and no more hidden racial agendas for those who can’t tolerate inevitable cultural changes.

America is on the right track and most of us will come to realize how fortunate we are to have Obama as our president.

Sincerely,

Gene Muccolini, Mt. Holly, N.J.

Dear Editor,

Some doctors promote vaccinations, but other doctors speak against vaccinations. Many healthy people, who took vaccinations, have become sick and died. Most people were not told about bad vaccination results. For medical treatments we should be educated and have a right to say no. Most U.S. children during the first year after birth have 20 vaccinations and 36 before school attendance. I read that each year 5,000 U.S. children die from vaccinations.

Many people, who took the 1976 Swine flu vaccination, became paralyzed and some died. The recent Swine flu vaccination has many toxic ingredients, including squalene. Squalene was used in a vaccination resulting in Gulf War Syndrome which I read resulted in many thousands of soldiers dead. The U.S. military leaders require that the soldiers take the recent Swine flu vaccination.

The WHO and CDC suggest some of the first people in the general population for Swine flu vaccination to be health care workers. Since a country needs a health care system, some wars include bombing hospitals. A toxic vaccination causing death to many health care workers is as effective as bombing hospitals.

Pandemic laws, which were made in opposition to the true intent of the U.S. Bill of Rights, may be enforced to mandate vaccinations for most of us. The Swine flu vaccination situation amounts to crimes, murders, terrorism, genocide, and war. I hope a lawsuit will get the Swine flu vaccination prevented. If not, other actions will be needed, perhaps impeachments and recalls.

Deborah Reid

Durham, NC