Letters to the Editor 12-17-2002
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By -
- Stupid Politicians - Buy American - Homeless Shelter - Pushing For Peace - Trying To Work - Roving Chef Roving Again - Webster Channel - Hometown Holiday - Fun Walk - Sweeper Project
Stupid Politicians
Editor, Times-Union:During the Clinton reign "it is the economy, stupid" was what we often heard ... well, the word "stupid" still applies but it is the stupid politicians with their lobbyists beside them intent on filling their pockets with money, causing the misery now.
The practice has constantly grown worse but began in the late '70s or early '80s when the children of the Great Depression began retiring - 50 percent of them, that is. Those retiring with those great pensions with all health benefits paid, etc., are the other 50 percent, not the 50 percent I speak of.
At first they lived pretty well since most had held two jobs all during their working years (not wanting to end up like their parents did in those Depression years). They were able to live on their Social Security using the interest on their savings they had accumulating over all those years to pay the taxes and insurance, etc. But then that interest rate began to fall - started around 9 percent, then 7 percent, etc. I do not know which idiot in Washington got the idea to start the fall but they used the excuse that they "were restarting the economy." Added to that was the pharmaceutical companies raising the price of their medications around 20 percent per year. No one seemed to be aware of this except those who were being gouged by the higher prices.
Many of the "good guys" senators and representatives retired, some very early in their careers, which left the money grubbers and lobbyists. No one paid any attention to the working people retiring and needing that interest in their CDs.
Well, the double whammy being dealt on those retirees began taking its toll - many invested in the stock market but without an employer putting half into a 401K, they lost thousands. Then many returned to work but the good jobs they'd had were long gone so they became clerks in places of business, some flipping burgers in fast food restaurants. The lowering of that interest began falling faster all the time and prescription prices were through the roof! Many had to make a choice between food and medication.
Many former middle income couples became members of Medicaid - which saved them - free medical services and food stamps along with low cost housing. Those left still struggling dropped home health insurance policies, life insurance policies, stopped eating out, kept the same car, etc. The interest rate has now been lowered to 1.5 percent and one pill often costs $5 or more.
Then yesterday evening (Dec. 11) on the national news report we heard that those idiots in Washington had had second thoughts on the lowering of interest rates - finally admitting it never helped the bad economy (a fact we had known all those years) and are now wondering if they should perhaps change their tactics. Just this much change would have had me leaping off the sofa and clicking my heels if it weren't for my arthritis! But don't hold your breath ... we all know how slow things in Washington change.
Directly after Franklin Roosevelt took office as president back in 1933 he invented WPA and PWA, which gave the jobless jobs, low pay but some money to jingle in their pockets and restored some dignity in their lives. Then Pearl Harbor happened and hundreds of thousands of our young men were killed during the following five-year war. I can recall how surprising it was to see a young man on the street in civilian clothes and we would wonder if he was 4F or a farmer!
Since WW II, which changed all our lives, we have had money-hungry politicians on both sides of the aisle and so we still will be waiting to see what they decide to try next!
Donna Butche
Lake Placid, Fla.
Buy American
Editor, Times-Union:Went shopping a few days ago with my wife. She let me go along if I would behave myself and not rant and rave about the destruction of the American worker. Went to a Toys-R-Us store. After walking through the store and watching the customers filling their carts with toys, games and etc., I said to my wife, "Ninety-nine percent of the items in this store are manufactured in China by Chinese cheap labor." Why not hire Chinese clerks and make even more money for the CEOs and share owners?
Wake up, all you parents and grandparents - every time you buy a foreign product you help make our children and grandchildren wards of the state. They will only be able to have service jobs. Do you know what service jobs are? How about frying hamburgers, mopping floors, mowing lawns, painting houses, doing roofing, sacking groceries, etc., etc. Now those jobs are for the lucky few. The rest of them will live off the government hand-outs. There won't be any $20-an-hour jobs, pensions or company health insurance.
I love watching the companies and organizations have food and toy drives for the poor children of parents who are out of work or not making enough to give their children a decent life because of the lack of jobs, you know, the jobs that have been sent to other countries.
Does that little gift of toys or food free your mind of the responsibility of the welfare of your fellow human beings? You put toys at their door, feed them for two or three days, then let them go back to being hungry.
The main problem of the states not having enough money for budgets is the simple fact: no companies, no jobs and no revenue.
Write our senators and congressmen. Tell them to stop this flow of wealth out of our country. They make Scrooge look like an angel.
Jack W. Klinefelter Sr.
Warsaw
Homeless Shelter
Editor, Times-Union:There's a need in our community for a building for the homeless. Everything is ready. But there is possibly a difference of opinion about what constitutes a need. To me, if there is one person, one family, that is a need. And we have more than that.
Have you ever said, "I want to make a difference in someone's life"? or "I want to bring our community together and show them God's love"?
Do you care? Do you have compassion? If you love Jesus and belong to him, the answer should be yes. We need you! Church, business, mom, dad, kids, everyone. Prayer in Jesus' name makes a difference, prayer as a community could make an awesome difference.
Anyone could be homeless if not for the grace of God. Divorce, illness, loss of job. And you would not want your family facing all that homelessness can bring. I'm asking you to please set a time aside each day to pray for this situation, that God will do whatever it takes to make it happen.
Is it God's will, you ask? God came to give life and give it more abundantly. He wants us to prosper and be in health. He said to bear one another's burdens. What better way to show the love of God. To give shelter, to feed and clothe, to help people and teach them skills to help themselves.
The Bible also says that he who shuts his ears to cries of the poor shall be ignored in his own time of need. Also, what a good example you would set for your children. And to pray for this need as a family. Also we need letters of support and what you can do to help with support and prayer in any way. Missions are great but we have needs in our own community also.
Send letters c/o Debbie Helmuth, 211 Ramar Drive, Warsaw, IN 46580. I'll keep you posted on progress. God bless you.
Debbie Helmuth
Warsaw
Pushing For Peace
Editor, Times-Union:Here at Manchester College, 46 faculty and 22 staff have signed a statement opposing a U.S. military attack against Iraq. We join a nationwide groundswell of dissent. Resolutions opposing a war have been passed by over 20 city councils (including Washington, D.C., and Seattle), church groups (including the National Council of Churches, which includes President Bush's own denomination, the Methodists), student governments (including the University of Texas and the University of Michigan), veterans' groups and many others. Our statement reads as follows:
"We, the undersigned staff and faculty of Manchester College, oppose military action against Iraq because it is immoral, illegal, violates the U.N. charter, alienates even our allies and will terrorize civilians. Military action, especially bombing, will claim mostly innocent people as victims, increase hatred and escalate the very genocidal terrorism that we seek to prevent. The greatest concession a government can make to terrorism is to meet terror with terror.
"As the strongest nation in the world, the United States must take the lead in finding alternatives to war. Inspections, United Nations action, diplomacy, international pressure and cooperation must replace unilateral action. Manchester College's mission embraces concern for peace and justice, respect for ethnic and cultural pluralism and an appreciation for the infinite worth of persons. Accordingly, we the undersigned faculty and staff of Manchester College, support positive alternatives to a pre-emptive military attack on the people of Iraq."
Abigail A. Fuller
Associate Prof. of Sociology and Chair, Peace Studies Institute
Manchester College
via e-mail
Trying To Work
Editor, Times-Union:With the unstable economy and the job market not really doing any significant hiring right away, be very careful if you do want to start a job that has been offered to you. Be 100 percent sure with absolutely no doubt at all or don't take it at all, or you will find yourself doing without any income at all. The place I worked at released me and so I took another job but it only turned out to be one to two nights per week, even though I was led to believe that there would be lots of hours around the holidays since it was a service type job. So I took a factory job that I knew was somewhat different and at least was willing to work to provide for my family and do my part. But after 2-1/2 nights of being around very dirty, hot and somewhat dangerous in many ways environment, I left for the sake of personal safety.
That was Oct. 30, 2002. Now, seven weeks later, I have yet to have an unemployment check since then 'cause it is tied up in South Bend waiting review if I had a real reason to quit a job I had taken on. This is only the second time in 21 years of working we needed a little help during a time of unemployment that usually only lasts a few weeks. I have been told by South Bend that it will take probably eight to 10 weeks 'til they get to it to review it, then make a decision. Well it's been seven now, so hopefully at the end of the year or right at the first of the new year a decision will at least be made. So I am not one to use the tools of our government wrongly, but I was actually told it would have been better not even to try the two jobs and keep getting my checks then to at least try and see if I could get back in the workforce. So be careful when you make your next decision about a place to work, for those of you still looking. Even trying to work again may be very costly in the long run if you are caught in the middle of trying to work.
Joe Beezley
Warsaw
via e-mail
Roving Chef Roving Again
Editor, Times-Union:As you know, on Dec. 12 the clutch went out on the Roving Chef Mobile Kitchen. I took your suggestion and called several places and none of those worked out as I had hoped they would. One blessing is that the manager of Advance Auto once again as he has in the past three years donated all the parts needed to repair the mobile kitchen. All I had to do was come up with the funds for the repair.
It seemed hopeless as I went around Tuesday afternoon and put up fliers on the donation jars that the Roving Chef has around town. Well, let me tell you that if there are folks that don't believe in the miracles of God, they need to spend one day with me. By noon Wednesday arrangements were made to have R and D Truck Repair do the work on the kitchen. This was done through the generosity of some fine citizens of Warsaw. Not only was the clutch installed but arrangements were made to have all hoses and belts changed with the help of E & C Auto Sales. All this was done and took place by the time I had to set up and serve the hungry on Friday morning.
Also, thanks to the Saint Anne's men's group, the kitchen is now fully equipped with all gas appliances so I no longer have to pull around a generator that didn't want to work. God is good.
Even those of us who are hired by God sometimes have a rough road to travel but we can't leave the path He has chosen for us and for that reason we cannot fail.
I wish to thank you, your staff and the community for all that you have done for the Roving Chef and I also want to wish each one of you a very happy holiday. God bless each of you.
Chef Charlie
Pierceton
Webster Channel
Editor, Times-Union:This is in regard to the article Dec. 12 by Teresa Smith, Times Union reporter: "Clogged Channel Frustrates Webster Lake Resident." I am that frustrated resident and there is something the other residents of North Webster need to know about their town board. I did indeed appear before the board some time ago with pictures providing proof the channel was filling up with sand washed down from Albert Eckert Drive and Center Street during the winter months. At that time I was told "not to worry, the channel is going to be dredged" - WRONG! The channel was dredged, but only a small portion of it, about 75 feet from the end, not near enough and not what they told me was going to be done.
At the Dec. 11 meeting, I provided the pictures to the board showing the problem. Their answer was the predictable one: "The catch basins are full, causing the problem," and of course, "We need to take a look at that," "We need to take a study" and the usual, "This could mean extra cost." If the town can afford to spend $4,700 for a salt box for a truck, they can find the money to fix the problem caused by the town's procrastination and insensitivity toward its citizens.
We need a town board who will resolve the problems and concerns of its citizens, not one which promises one thing and does another.
J. B. Routh
North Webster
Hometown Holiday
Editor, Times-Union:On behalf of the Warsaw Community Development Corp., I would like to thank everyone who contributed their time or donations to this year's Hometown Holiday Celebration. We had great weather and a very good turnout!
In another matter, I would like to thank all of those who contributed decorations and time to decorate the windows at the Eagle's Building on Center Street. The display turned out wonderfully, and your assistance was greatly appreciated!
Carmen Lock
Executive Director, Warsaw Community Development Corp.
via e-mail
Fun Walk
Editor, Times-Union:On behalf of the staff and clients of Combined Community Services, I would like to thank all the people who participated in the second annual "Turkey Lurkey" 5K Fun Run/Walk & Roll. From volunteers to runners to financial supporters, all of you made this year's race successful. Thank you all very much and we hope to see you next year on Nov. 22, 2003, for the third annual "Turkey Lurkey." God bless all of you and Merry Christmas.
Darlene Redinger
Director of Development, Combined Community Services
Warsaw
via e-mail
Sweeper Project
Editor, Times-Union:We wish to thank all the ladies who helped with our sweeper project. The winner was Karen Guffey and we bought 17 tables for the Legion with the proceeds.
We have 135 ditty bags going to the Indiana Veterans' Home for the needy veterans. Again, thank you for the donations and time in making them up. We really appreciate each and every one of you.
Nondus Creakbaum
American Legion Auxiliary Unit 49
Warsaw
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- Stupid Politicians - Buy American - Homeless Shelter - Pushing For Peace - Trying To Work - Roving Chef Roving Again - Webster Channel - Hometown Holiday - Fun Walk - Sweeper Project
Stupid Politicians
Editor, Times-Union:During the Clinton reign "it is the economy, stupid" was what we often heard ... well, the word "stupid" still applies but it is the stupid politicians with their lobbyists beside them intent on filling their pockets with money, causing the misery now.
The practice has constantly grown worse but began in the late '70s or early '80s when the children of the Great Depression began retiring - 50 percent of them, that is. Those retiring with those great pensions with all health benefits paid, etc., are the other 50 percent, not the 50 percent I speak of.
At first they lived pretty well since most had held two jobs all during their working years (not wanting to end up like their parents did in those Depression years). They were able to live on their Social Security using the interest on their savings they had accumulating over all those years to pay the taxes and insurance, etc. But then that interest rate began to fall - started around 9 percent, then 7 percent, etc. I do not know which idiot in Washington got the idea to start the fall but they used the excuse that they "were restarting the economy." Added to that was the pharmaceutical companies raising the price of their medications around 20 percent per year. No one seemed to be aware of this except those who were being gouged by the higher prices.
Many of the "good guys" senators and representatives retired, some very early in their careers, which left the money grubbers and lobbyists. No one paid any attention to the working people retiring and needing that interest in their CDs.
Well, the double whammy being dealt on those retirees began taking its toll - many invested in the stock market but without an employer putting half into a 401K, they lost thousands. Then many returned to work but the good jobs they'd had were long gone so they became clerks in places of business, some flipping burgers in fast food restaurants. The lowering of that interest began falling faster all the time and prescription prices were through the roof! Many had to make a choice between food and medication.
Many former middle income couples became members of Medicaid - which saved them - free medical services and food stamps along with low cost housing. Those left still struggling dropped home health insurance policies, life insurance policies, stopped eating out, kept the same car, etc. The interest rate has now been lowered to 1.5 percent and one pill often costs $5 or more.
Then yesterday evening (Dec. 11) on the national news report we heard that those idiots in Washington had had second thoughts on the lowering of interest rates - finally admitting it never helped the bad economy (a fact we had known all those years) and are now wondering if they should perhaps change their tactics. Just this much change would have had me leaping off the sofa and clicking my heels if it weren't for my arthritis! But don't hold your breath ... we all know how slow things in Washington change.
Directly after Franklin Roosevelt took office as president back in 1933 he invented WPA and PWA, which gave the jobless jobs, low pay but some money to jingle in their pockets and restored some dignity in their lives. Then Pearl Harbor happened and hundreds of thousands of our young men were killed during the following five-year war. I can recall how surprising it was to see a young man on the street in civilian clothes and we would wonder if he was 4F or a farmer!
Since WW II, which changed all our lives, we have had money-hungry politicians on both sides of the aisle and so we still will be waiting to see what they decide to try next!
Donna Butche
Lake Placid, Fla.
Buy American
Editor, Times-Union:Went shopping a few days ago with my wife. She let me go along if I would behave myself and not rant and rave about the destruction of the American worker. Went to a Toys-R-Us store. After walking through the store and watching the customers filling their carts with toys, games and etc., I said to my wife, "Ninety-nine percent of the items in this store are manufactured in China by Chinese cheap labor." Why not hire Chinese clerks and make even more money for the CEOs and share owners?
Wake up, all you parents and grandparents - every time you buy a foreign product you help make our children and grandchildren wards of the state. They will only be able to have service jobs. Do you know what service jobs are? How about frying hamburgers, mopping floors, mowing lawns, painting houses, doing roofing, sacking groceries, etc., etc. Now those jobs are for the lucky few. The rest of them will live off the government hand-outs. There won't be any $20-an-hour jobs, pensions or company health insurance.
I love watching the companies and organizations have food and toy drives for the poor children of parents who are out of work or not making enough to give their children a decent life because of the lack of jobs, you know, the jobs that have been sent to other countries.
Does that little gift of toys or food free your mind of the responsibility of the welfare of your fellow human beings? You put toys at their door, feed them for two or three days, then let them go back to being hungry.
The main problem of the states not having enough money for budgets is the simple fact: no companies, no jobs and no revenue.
Write our senators and congressmen. Tell them to stop this flow of wealth out of our country. They make Scrooge look like an angel.
Jack W. Klinefelter Sr.
Warsaw
Homeless Shelter
Editor, Times-Union:There's a need in our community for a building for the homeless. Everything is ready. But there is possibly a difference of opinion about what constitutes a need. To me, if there is one person, one family, that is a need. And we have more than that.
Have you ever said, "I want to make a difference in someone's life"? or "I want to bring our community together and show them God's love"?
Do you care? Do you have compassion? If you love Jesus and belong to him, the answer should be yes. We need you! Church, business, mom, dad, kids, everyone. Prayer in Jesus' name makes a difference, prayer as a community could make an awesome difference.
Anyone could be homeless if not for the grace of God. Divorce, illness, loss of job. And you would not want your family facing all that homelessness can bring. I'm asking you to please set a time aside each day to pray for this situation, that God will do whatever it takes to make it happen.
Is it God's will, you ask? God came to give life and give it more abundantly. He wants us to prosper and be in health. He said to bear one another's burdens. What better way to show the love of God. To give shelter, to feed and clothe, to help people and teach them skills to help themselves.
The Bible also says that he who shuts his ears to cries of the poor shall be ignored in his own time of need. Also, what a good example you would set for your children. And to pray for this need as a family. Also we need letters of support and what you can do to help with support and prayer in any way. Missions are great but we have needs in our own community also.
Send letters c/o Debbie Helmuth, 211 Ramar Drive, Warsaw, IN 46580. I'll keep you posted on progress. God bless you.
Debbie Helmuth
Warsaw
Pushing For Peace
Editor, Times-Union:Here at Manchester College, 46 faculty and 22 staff have signed a statement opposing a U.S. military attack against Iraq. We join a nationwide groundswell of dissent. Resolutions opposing a war have been passed by over 20 city councils (including Washington, D.C., and Seattle), church groups (including the National Council of Churches, which includes President Bush's own denomination, the Methodists), student governments (including the University of Texas and the University of Michigan), veterans' groups and many others. Our statement reads as follows:
"We, the undersigned staff and faculty of Manchester College, oppose military action against Iraq because it is immoral, illegal, violates the U.N. charter, alienates even our allies and will terrorize civilians. Military action, especially bombing, will claim mostly innocent people as victims, increase hatred and escalate the very genocidal terrorism that we seek to prevent. The greatest concession a government can make to terrorism is to meet terror with terror.
"As the strongest nation in the world, the United States must take the lead in finding alternatives to war. Inspections, United Nations action, diplomacy, international pressure and cooperation must replace unilateral action. Manchester College's mission embraces concern for peace and justice, respect for ethnic and cultural pluralism and an appreciation for the infinite worth of persons. Accordingly, we the undersigned faculty and staff of Manchester College, support positive alternatives to a pre-emptive military attack on the people of Iraq."
Abigail A. Fuller
Associate Prof. of Sociology and Chair, Peace Studies Institute
Manchester College
via e-mail
Trying To Work
Editor, Times-Union:With the unstable economy and the job market not really doing any significant hiring right away, be very careful if you do want to start a job that has been offered to you. Be 100 percent sure with absolutely no doubt at all or don't take it at all, or you will find yourself doing without any income at all. The place I worked at released me and so I took another job but it only turned out to be one to two nights per week, even though I was led to believe that there would be lots of hours around the holidays since it was a service type job. So I took a factory job that I knew was somewhat different and at least was willing to work to provide for my family and do my part. But after 2-1/2 nights of being around very dirty, hot and somewhat dangerous in many ways environment, I left for the sake of personal safety.
That was Oct. 30, 2002. Now, seven weeks later, I have yet to have an unemployment check since then 'cause it is tied up in South Bend waiting review if I had a real reason to quit a job I had taken on. This is only the second time in 21 years of working we needed a little help during a time of unemployment that usually only lasts a few weeks. I have been told by South Bend that it will take probably eight to 10 weeks 'til they get to it to review it, then make a decision. Well it's been seven now, so hopefully at the end of the year or right at the first of the new year a decision will at least be made. So I am not one to use the tools of our government wrongly, but I was actually told it would have been better not even to try the two jobs and keep getting my checks then to at least try and see if I could get back in the workforce. So be careful when you make your next decision about a place to work, for those of you still looking. Even trying to work again may be very costly in the long run if you are caught in the middle of trying to work.
Joe Beezley
Warsaw
via e-mail
Roving Chef Roving Again
Editor, Times-Union:As you know, on Dec. 12 the clutch went out on the Roving Chef Mobile Kitchen. I took your suggestion and called several places and none of those worked out as I had hoped they would. One blessing is that the manager of Advance Auto once again as he has in the past three years donated all the parts needed to repair the mobile kitchen. All I had to do was come up with the funds for the repair.
It seemed hopeless as I went around Tuesday afternoon and put up fliers on the donation jars that the Roving Chef has around town. Well, let me tell you that if there are folks that don't believe in the miracles of God, they need to spend one day with me. By noon Wednesday arrangements were made to have R and D Truck Repair do the work on the kitchen. This was done through the generosity of some fine citizens of Warsaw. Not only was the clutch installed but arrangements were made to have all hoses and belts changed with the help of E & C Auto Sales. All this was done and took place by the time I had to set up and serve the hungry on Friday morning.
Also, thanks to the Saint Anne's men's group, the kitchen is now fully equipped with all gas appliances so I no longer have to pull around a generator that didn't want to work. God is good.
Even those of us who are hired by God sometimes have a rough road to travel but we can't leave the path He has chosen for us and for that reason we cannot fail.
I wish to thank you, your staff and the community for all that you have done for the Roving Chef and I also want to wish each one of you a very happy holiday. God bless each of you.
Chef Charlie
Pierceton
Webster Channel
Editor, Times-Union:This is in regard to the article Dec. 12 by Teresa Smith, Times Union reporter: "Clogged Channel Frustrates Webster Lake Resident." I am that frustrated resident and there is something the other residents of North Webster need to know about their town board. I did indeed appear before the board some time ago with pictures providing proof the channel was filling up with sand washed down from Albert Eckert Drive and Center Street during the winter months. At that time I was told "not to worry, the channel is going to be dredged" - WRONG! The channel was dredged, but only a small portion of it, about 75 feet from the end, not near enough and not what they told me was going to be done.
At the Dec. 11 meeting, I provided the pictures to the board showing the problem. Their answer was the predictable one: "The catch basins are full, causing the problem," and of course, "We need to take a look at that," "We need to take a study" and the usual, "This could mean extra cost." If the town can afford to spend $4,700 for a salt box for a truck, they can find the money to fix the problem caused by the town's procrastination and insensitivity toward its citizens.
We need a town board who will resolve the problems and concerns of its citizens, not one which promises one thing and does another.
J. B. Routh
North Webster
Hometown Holiday
Editor, Times-Union:On behalf of the Warsaw Community Development Corp., I would like to thank everyone who contributed their time or donations to this year's Hometown Holiday Celebration. We had great weather and a very good turnout!
In another matter, I would like to thank all of those who contributed decorations and time to decorate the windows at the Eagle's Building on Center Street. The display turned out wonderfully, and your assistance was greatly appreciated!
Carmen Lock
Executive Director, Warsaw Community Development Corp.
via e-mail
Fun Walk
Editor, Times-Union:On behalf of the staff and clients of Combined Community Services, I would like to thank all the people who participated in the second annual "Turkey Lurkey" 5K Fun Run/Walk & Roll. From volunteers to runners to financial supporters, all of you made this year's race successful. Thank you all very much and we hope to see you next year on Nov. 22, 2003, for the third annual "Turkey Lurkey." God bless all of you and Merry Christmas.
Darlene Redinger
Director of Development, Combined Community Services
Warsaw
via e-mail
Sweeper Project
Editor, Times-Union:We wish to thank all the ladies who helped with our sweeper project. The winner was Karen Guffey and we bought 17 tables for the Legion with the proceeds.
We have 135 ditty bags going to the Indiana Veterans' Home for the needy veterans. Again, thank you for the donations and time in making them up. We really appreciate each and every one of you.
Nondus Creakbaum
American Legion Auxiliary Unit 49
Warsaw
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