Letters to the Editor 02-07-2005
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By -
- Political Tactics - Progress In Iraq - Check-Out Day - Privatization - Planning For School - Social Security - Tree Trimmers
Political Tactics
Editor, Times-Union:It would have been nice if the negative aspects of campaigning would have ended with the election. Unfortunately, this was not the case. The tactics are being applied to most political situations. Statements are made that have a shred of truth in them but are basically false or misleading. Then these statements are repeated over and over. Administration friends are encouraged to do the same. Eventually, you will get people to believe what you are saying. Then the perception will become the new truth and you can proceed.
Some conservatives have accepted this as a correct way to approach an issue. Richard Viguerie (active 73-year-old founder of modern conservative movements) in an interview on Now essentially outlined this approach. Using a variety of right leaning media, within a matter of days, a half truth can dominate the news. Viguerie says it takes a while for the traditional press to point out flaws and by then, perceptions have trumped truth. All of this is done not by a vast right wing conspiracy but by a vast right wing network. Viguerie is pleased that this works.
Some of this approach is being used on Social Security. The president simply repeats some favorite phrases which are half truths. The myths of bankruptcy and of financial growth come to mind. Unfortunately, groups such as Moveon.org are responding in kind. This organization is sponsoring an ad that is just as wrong as Bush is. This type of rhetoric does not make for intelligent dialogue. Of course, neither does touting your program before what the press calls "selected audiences."
According to virtually all independent groups, there is no looming crisis in Social Security. Yet the scare tactics used by the president have convinced young people that Social Security is falling apart and will not be around for them. I have first-hand experience that this is true.
The president deserves your attention but so do his informed critics. Recognize that the system is not broke but it does need attention. Plans such as wage indexing keep the system healthy for nearly a century. Remember that the president put a lot of qualifiers on the private accounts. This smells like a bureaucracy or large private company in the making.
Remember also that there are a number of presidential backers (NOT the president), who are on record wanting to abolish Social Security. Some of the proposed plans could indeed do this. Could there be a hidden agenda in some of the proposals?
Do we have any national crises? Neglecting foreign involvement, we have a health care crisis. The current Medicare system will cause a budget crisis in the near future. Yet we are being told that a currently viable system which can be easily fixed in a nonpartisan way is more important to look at than health care. This is preferable to fixing a program that does not provide health care to tens of millions of people. Interesting!
James Streator
Claypool
via e-mail
Progress In Iraq
Editor, Times-Union:Although the liberation of Iraq often receives much negative coverage from Big Media, here is a list of things that has happened in Iraq recently:
* Over 400,000 kids have up-to-date immunizations.
* School attendance is up 80 percent from levels before the war.
* Over 1,500 schools have been renovated and rid of the weapons stored there so education can occur.
* The port of Uhm Qasar was renovated so grain can be off-loaded from ships faster.
* The country had its first 2 billion barrel export of oil in August.
* Over 4.5 million people have clean drinking water for the first time ever in Iraq.
* The country now receives two times the electrical power it did before the war.
* 100 percent of the hospitals are open and fully staffed, compared to 35 percent before the war.
* Elections are taking place in every major city, and city councils are in place.
* Sewer and water lines are installed in every major city.
* Over 60,000 police are patrolling the streets.
* Over 100,000 Iraqi civil defense police are securing the country.
* Over 80,000 Iraqi soldiers are patrolling the streets side by side with U.S. soldiers.
* Over 400,000 people have telephones for the first time ever.
* Students are taught field sanitation and hand washing techniques to prevent the spread of germs.
* An interim constitution has been signed.
* Girls are allowed to attend school.
* Textbooks that don't mention Saddam are in the schools for the first time in 30 years.
* All this, plus the first free national elections in years (with women voting)!
According to the soldiers, many, many people from Iraq want us there, and in a big way. They challenge anyone, anywhere to dispute these facts listed above. Many Iraqis say they will never see the freedoms we talk about but they hope their children will. Instead of criticizing the war on terror, the rebuilding effort, the soldiers and our president, we should be praying for them.
Tim Morbitzer
North Manchester
via e-mail
Check-Out Day
Editor, Times-Union:Kosciusko County Farm Bureau will be celebrating Farm Bureau's Food Check-Out Day on Monday, Feb. 7 at Marsh Supermarket in Warsaw beginning at 5 p.m.
Food Check-Out Day observes the fact that, according to Farm Bureau, the average American will have earned enough disposable income in just 37 days to pay for his or her food supply for the entire year. According to the latest statistics compiled by the USDA Economic Research Service, American families and individuals spend, on average, just 10 percent of their disposable personal income for food.
In comparison to Food Check-Out Day, the observance of Tax Freedom Day - the day the average American had earned enough money to pay federal, state and local taxes - was April 11 last year, according to the Tax Foundation.
Food Check-Out Day is a day to let the community know that food in American is affordable - thanks in a large part to America's productive farmers and ranchers.
Lenore Lewis
Kosciusko County Farm Bureau Secretary
Mentone
via e-mail
Privatization
Editor, Times-Union:Having heard W's plan for SS privatization, I wonder if he has considered just what the 40- and early 50-age people are to do. To say that 55 and older will have benefits as they currently are, and not consider that the 40s and early 50s workers will not have time to save enough to retire at say 65. I guess if he raises retirement age to say 75 or 80, then these current workers may have a chance to save enough. But, considering the discrimination against middle-aged people finding jobs, I would doubt that 20 to 25 years would be long enough. Seems to me he should attempt to "grandfather" the current system. If there is to be his changes, they should start with the current new workers. He should not knock our current work force off their horses in midstream. "W" knows that doing away with SS would cause a "run on his office." But again, if he does set the path to do away with SS little by little, he may very well get away with it in the long run.
DG Lundgren
Warsaw
Planning For School
Editor, Times-Union:Believe it or not, it is time to start planning for next school year already! Parents of children who will be 3, 4 or 5 by next fall should consider the Greater Warsaw Cooperative Preschool. As the area's only cooperative preschool, it offers a unique and special opportunity for your child's first school experience. Parents take turns assisting the teacher in the classroom, providing a supportive environment and an enriching experience for both the children and adults.
By participating in the classroom just a couple times a month, I have learned more about preschoolers, gathered valuable ideas for use at home and discovered the joys of being involved in my children's education. And my boys loved the days Mom was at school with them.
Our family has thoroughly enjoyed "The Co-op" preschool, and I encourage other parents to get involved. Check out the Greater Warsaw Cooperative Preschool at their Open House on Feb. 15 and 16. Call 574-267-7300 for more information.
Missy Cook
Warsaw
via e-mail
Social Security
Editor, Times-Union:Thank your for the good column on Saturday, "Social Security: Is It Broken or Isn't It?"
George Bush's emphasis on addressing the Social Security "problem" is simply an effort to divert our attention away from the immediate problem. That is, the U.S. government is today experiencing the problems that are projected for the distant future for the Social Security system.
According to your article, in the 2004 Annual Report to Congress, the Social Security trustees reported that tax revenues will fall below program costs in 2018. In contrast, I find that according to the "Budget of the United States Government - Fiscal Year 2005" (www.gpoaccess.gov/usbudget/fyo5) the 2004 deficit spending was $520.7 billion! And the estimated 2005 on-budget deficit is $542.9 billion. George Bush inherited a surplus of $236.4 billion in 2000. It continually declined during his watch - $127.4 billion surplus in 2001, $157.8 billion deficit in 2002, $375.3 billion deficit in 2003 and $520.7 billion deficit in 2004. The estimated on-budget deficits for each of the years between 2006 and 2009 are estimated to be between $465.9 billion and $500.5 billion.
The 2004 Social Security Trustees report states that the projected point at which the Social Security Trust funds become exhausted will be in 2042. In contrast, according to the U.S. government 2005 Budget, the estimated Gross Federal Debt in 2005 will be $8.1 trillion! This is up from $5.6 trillion in 2000. It is estimated that by the end of Bush's term, this debt will be $9.9 trillion!
In summary, George Bush's attempt to focus the nation's attention on problems that may, or may not, manifest themselves in 2018 or 2042 is a smokescreen designed to divert our attention from the immediate and severe much larger budget problem that exists here and now!
Howard Woodward Jr.
Warsaw
via e-mail
Tree Trimmers
Editor, Times-Union:We have watched Treecore, a tree trimming and cutting company, do "their thing" on CR 225S in Winona Lake the past few days. Thank you for ridding us all of those horrible 50-100-year-old trees that have been a blight across from our home and down the road. What an eyesore they have been ever since we moved in over 12 years ago, shading the road and the lands around it, when all we really wanted was more flat open land and hot summer sun. My congratulations to all who were involved in this decision. The wildlife will certainly be forever in your debt, as will we, as we gaze into the hot open fields before us. What's a few less trees to deal with. They only produce more leaves, more oxygen, and more cool shade for us all. God bless you for wiping these demons from our earth.
Bill and Cindy Harris
Winona Lake
via e-mail
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- Political Tactics - Progress In Iraq - Check-Out Day - Privatization - Planning For School - Social Security - Tree Trimmers
Political Tactics
Editor, Times-Union:It would have been nice if the negative aspects of campaigning would have ended with the election. Unfortunately, this was not the case. The tactics are being applied to most political situations. Statements are made that have a shred of truth in them but are basically false or misleading. Then these statements are repeated over and over. Administration friends are encouraged to do the same. Eventually, you will get people to believe what you are saying. Then the perception will become the new truth and you can proceed.
Some conservatives have accepted this as a correct way to approach an issue. Richard Viguerie (active 73-year-old founder of modern conservative movements) in an interview on Now essentially outlined this approach. Using a variety of right leaning media, within a matter of days, a half truth can dominate the news. Viguerie says it takes a while for the traditional press to point out flaws and by then, perceptions have trumped truth. All of this is done not by a vast right wing conspiracy but by a vast right wing network. Viguerie is pleased that this works.
Some of this approach is being used on Social Security. The president simply repeats some favorite phrases which are half truths. The myths of bankruptcy and of financial growth come to mind. Unfortunately, groups such as Moveon.org are responding in kind. This organization is sponsoring an ad that is just as wrong as Bush is. This type of rhetoric does not make for intelligent dialogue. Of course, neither does touting your program before what the press calls "selected audiences."
According to virtually all independent groups, there is no looming crisis in Social Security. Yet the scare tactics used by the president have convinced young people that Social Security is falling apart and will not be around for them. I have first-hand experience that this is true.
The president deserves your attention but so do his informed critics. Recognize that the system is not broke but it does need attention. Plans such as wage indexing keep the system healthy for nearly a century. Remember that the president put a lot of qualifiers on the private accounts. This smells like a bureaucracy or large private company in the making.
Remember also that there are a number of presidential backers (NOT the president), who are on record wanting to abolish Social Security. Some of the proposed plans could indeed do this. Could there be a hidden agenda in some of the proposals?
Do we have any national crises? Neglecting foreign involvement, we have a health care crisis. The current Medicare system will cause a budget crisis in the near future. Yet we are being told that a currently viable system which can be easily fixed in a nonpartisan way is more important to look at than health care. This is preferable to fixing a program that does not provide health care to tens of millions of people. Interesting!
James Streator
Claypool
via e-mail
Progress In Iraq
Editor, Times-Union:Although the liberation of Iraq often receives much negative coverage from Big Media, here is a list of things that has happened in Iraq recently:
* Over 400,000 kids have up-to-date immunizations.
* School attendance is up 80 percent from levels before the war.
* Over 1,500 schools have been renovated and rid of the weapons stored there so education can occur.
* The port of Uhm Qasar was renovated so grain can be off-loaded from ships faster.
* The country had its first 2 billion barrel export of oil in August.
* Over 4.5 million people have clean drinking water for the first time ever in Iraq.
* The country now receives two times the electrical power it did before the war.
* 100 percent of the hospitals are open and fully staffed, compared to 35 percent before the war.
* Elections are taking place in every major city, and city councils are in place.
* Sewer and water lines are installed in every major city.
* Over 60,000 police are patrolling the streets.
* Over 100,000 Iraqi civil defense police are securing the country.
* Over 80,000 Iraqi soldiers are patrolling the streets side by side with U.S. soldiers.
* Over 400,000 people have telephones for the first time ever.
* Students are taught field sanitation and hand washing techniques to prevent the spread of germs.
* An interim constitution has been signed.
* Girls are allowed to attend school.
* Textbooks that don't mention Saddam are in the schools for the first time in 30 years.
* All this, plus the first free national elections in years (with women voting)!
According to the soldiers, many, many people from Iraq want us there, and in a big way. They challenge anyone, anywhere to dispute these facts listed above. Many Iraqis say they will never see the freedoms we talk about but they hope their children will. Instead of criticizing the war on terror, the rebuilding effort, the soldiers and our president, we should be praying for them.
Tim Morbitzer
North Manchester
via e-mail
Check-Out Day
Editor, Times-Union:Kosciusko County Farm Bureau will be celebrating Farm Bureau's Food Check-Out Day on Monday, Feb. 7 at Marsh Supermarket in Warsaw beginning at 5 p.m.
Food Check-Out Day observes the fact that, according to Farm Bureau, the average American will have earned enough disposable income in just 37 days to pay for his or her food supply for the entire year. According to the latest statistics compiled by the USDA Economic Research Service, American families and individuals spend, on average, just 10 percent of their disposable personal income for food.
In comparison to Food Check-Out Day, the observance of Tax Freedom Day - the day the average American had earned enough money to pay federal, state and local taxes - was April 11 last year, according to the Tax Foundation.
Food Check-Out Day is a day to let the community know that food in American is affordable - thanks in a large part to America's productive farmers and ranchers.
Lenore Lewis
Kosciusko County Farm Bureau Secretary
Mentone
via e-mail
Privatization
Editor, Times-Union:Having heard W's plan for SS privatization, I wonder if he has considered just what the 40- and early 50-age people are to do. To say that 55 and older will have benefits as they currently are, and not consider that the 40s and early 50s workers will not have time to save enough to retire at say 65. I guess if he raises retirement age to say 75 or 80, then these current workers may have a chance to save enough. But, considering the discrimination against middle-aged people finding jobs, I would doubt that 20 to 25 years would be long enough. Seems to me he should attempt to "grandfather" the current system. If there is to be his changes, they should start with the current new workers. He should not knock our current work force off their horses in midstream. "W" knows that doing away with SS would cause a "run on his office." But again, if he does set the path to do away with SS little by little, he may very well get away with it in the long run.
DG Lundgren
Warsaw
Planning For School
Editor, Times-Union:Believe it or not, it is time to start planning for next school year already! Parents of children who will be 3, 4 or 5 by next fall should consider the Greater Warsaw Cooperative Preschool. As the area's only cooperative preschool, it offers a unique and special opportunity for your child's first school experience. Parents take turns assisting the teacher in the classroom, providing a supportive environment and an enriching experience for both the children and adults.
By participating in the classroom just a couple times a month, I have learned more about preschoolers, gathered valuable ideas for use at home and discovered the joys of being involved in my children's education. And my boys loved the days Mom was at school with them.
Our family has thoroughly enjoyed "The Co-op" preschool, and I encourage other parents to get involved. Check out the Greater Warsaw Cooperative Preschool at their Open House on Feb. 15 and 16. Call 574-267-7300 for more information.
Missy Cook
Warsaw
via e-mail
Social Security
Editor, Times-Union:Thank your for the good column on Saturday, "Social Security: Is It Broken or Isn't It?"
George Bush's emphasis on addressing the Social Security "problem" is simply an effort to divert our attention away from the immediate problem. That is, the U.S. government is today experiencing the problems that are projected for the distant future for the Social Security system.
According to your article, in the 2004 Annual Report to Congress, the Social Security trustees reported that tax revenues will fall below program costs in 2018. In contrast, I find that according to the "Budget of the United States Government - Fiscal Year 2005" (www.gpoaccess.gov/usbudget/fyo5) the 2004 deficit spending was $520.7 billion! And the estimated 2005 on-budget deficit is $542.9 billion. George Bush inherited a surplus of $236.4 billion in 2000. It continually declined during his watch - $127.4 billion surplus in 2001, $157.8 billion deficit in 2002, $375.3 billion deficit in 2003 and $520.7 billion deficit in 2004. The estimated on-budget deficits for each of the years between 2006 and 2009 are estimated to be between $465.9 billion and $500.5 billion.
The 2004 Social Security Trustees report states that the projected point at which the Social Security Trust funds become exhausted will be in 2042. In contrast, according to the U.S. government 2005 Budget, the estimated Gross Federal Debt in 2005 will be $8.1 trillion! This is up from $5.6 trillion in 2000. It is estimated that by the end of Bush's term, this debt will be $9.9 trillion!
In summary, George Bush's attempt to focus the nation's attention on problems that may, or may not, manifest themselves in 2018 or 2042 is a smokescreen designed to divert our attention from the immediate and severe much larger budget problem that exists here and now!
Howard Woodward Jr.
Warsaw
via e-mail
Tree Trimmers
Editor, Times-Union:We have watched Treecore, a tree trimming and cutting company, do "their thing" on CR 225S in Winona Lake the past few days. Thank you for ridding us all of those horrible 50-100-year-old trees that have been a blight across from our home and down the road. What an eyesore they have been ever since we moved in over 12 years ago, shading the road and the lands around it, when all we really wanted was more flat open land and hot summer sun. My congratulations to all who were involved in this decision. The wildlife will certainly be forever in your debt, as will we, as we gaze into the hot open fields before us. What's a few less trees to deal with. They only produce more leaves, more oxygen, and more cool shade for us all. God bless you for wiping these demons from our earth.
Bill and Cindy Harris
Winona Lake
via e-mail
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