Frustrated with Obama and GOP
Obama’s recent epiphany about using federal funds for infrastructure repair comes late in his presidency. He could have been vocal and insistent at the time the GOP forced an extension of the Bush tax cuts for the benefit of the wealthy. Possibly — hopefully not — he contained his acumen until the coming election: dishonest. If he had called all the governors to Washington and divided the proceeds of the Bush tax cut among the 50 states and mandated its use solely for infrastructure, he could have shown the entire electorate the GOP’s philosophy.
In the past several years, Obama has conceded on every tax issue to the GOP, and especially the Tea Party, in their efforts to turn the social and political clock back beyond the “Muckrakers.” Our inexperienced president could have stood up to the forces wishing to return us to the pre-Depression America of the 1920s. Increased taxes for the middle class, dismantling of many regulatory agencies, refusing aid to sick sectors of the economy, the Smoot-Hawley Tariff and other means of reducing the purchasing and political power of most Americans — these offer little for the benefit of the majority of our citizens.
The extreme right’s rhetoric allegedly manifests concern for the nation. These concerns reek of fascism, as business and its minions concentrate wealth in the power of the few, arguing that “John Wayne’s America” is strong. The increasing number of citizens on the poverty rolls, the foreclosures, individuals taken to emergency rooms for treatment, the general mood of the public — all these show concern and the level of hope engendered by Bush’s heirs.
Bush’s political progeny must be shown the fear, anger and determination of his opponents for the United States to remain in the present century. This can only happen if we take a stand and never again elect an unqualified and inexperienced person to the presidency.
— Arthur Steinberg
Salisbury
Work and pay taxes
We are sending American jobs to foreign countries and paying too much unemployment and welfare to those who aren’t working. Some won’t work because they can live off the government. No country can survive paying welfare to those who don’t pay taxes or pay into Social Security. That is like taking out of the pot and not refilling it. No wonder our country is going further and further in debt.
Our president states he “knows how to put our people to work.” It has been two and a half years since he said that to get elected. He does not know what he’s talking about. We have lost jobs during this time. No wonder our debt is what it is.
I would like to throw my hat into the ring, but all I have left is an old straw hat worn out from working. If I could get someone to back me, I would run. I would guarantee the jobs created would be for Americans, not illegal immigrants. They are bleeding this country of health care and welfare and sending most of what they earn back to their families in their home country, while not paying taxes in our country.
Manufacturers that have their business and finances in foreign countries should have three months to return it to the United States or their money would be counted as lost in this country. They should have a tariff on what is shipped back to this country that would make their products cost as much as if made in the U.S.A.
I would not be running for either party because I am for the people of America, not a party. If you want to be an American, then do your job, pay your taxes, and we can all benefit by it.
— Paris L. Martin
Salisbury