Obama best choice for our future
While watching the first presidential debate, I was thinking of my grandchildren. I realize that whoever is elected is going to influence their future and the future of children throughout the world. I was trying to decide which candidate would be the best person to elect, for their sake.
The world is a different place than when I was growing up. We have many more problems. The issues that will have to be addressed are more complicated and are going to require a great deal of international cooperation. Our country is going to have to be willing to talk with leaders of all countries in a constructive manner. If we're going to achieve a peaceful world, if we're going to solve incredibly difficult problems like global warming, we'll need a president who is open to new ideas and not rooted in the past.
In listening to McCain and Obama, I listened and watched not only for the content of what they said but for the way they interacted with each other. In both content and action, I think Obama will be a wiser person in dealing with the leaders of other nations. He was respectful yet strong, willing to say when another is right, and willing to open dialogue with people even if they have opinions other than his own.
I also think Obama will be more accepted by other world leaders and by the people of the world. Just his background _ the fact that his father was Kenyan _ will make it easier for other peoples to relate to him. For my grandchildren's sake and for all the children of the world, I hope that he is elected.
Rose-Marie Sheehan
Delhi
Lambert can handle all aspects of post
Much recent publicity has created the impression that the primary function of the Otsego County judge to be elected in November is to preside over Family Court. As a lawyer who has actually practiced law in Otsego County for more than 20 years, I would like to set the record straight.
In our county, the judge presides over three courts. The role of Family Court judge is a very important one. However, our judge must also have the knowledge and experience to preside in County Court, which handles criminal and civil matters, and in Surrogate's Court, which handles estates and guardianship matters.
John Lambert is a seasoned prosecutor with extensive criminal trial experience. I cannot imagine a county court judge properly handling criminal cases without such experience.
In addition, he has displayed the proper temperament and demeanor necessary to being a judge. I think it fair to say that those who have worked with John, be they judges, lawyers, crime victims, police officers and agency personnel, all can vouch for his professionalism and fairness.
Finally, as a family man with three children, John is a parent, coach and mentor to his own children and many others in the community. These experiences will help him as a judge.
For these reasons, I urge you to support John Lambert for Otsego County judge.
Lester A. Sittler
Fly Creek
We've had enough of Republicans
With so many national endeavors threatening to collapse around our feet, have we not had enough wrong-headed selfishness by Republicans in power? A Reagan staffer actually admitted that budget deficits are a bulwark against social spending. I am very sick of ideology being equated with morality, like treating privatization as a good in itself, a reform.
Both parties get corrupted, but McCain's posture as the whistle-blower against lobbyist-legislator incest is as pure as Chinese milk. Taxation is a sin to conservatives, but apparently borrowing isn't. Sure taxing is bad when those governing are not honest. And for eight years they have not been. But the biggest lie was borrowing as a "necessary evil" needed to fight "Evil."
Does the "Evil" they saw or the "Good" they sought justify war crimes, grossly unfair and unjust civil life, usurious interest rates, barring bankruptcy for health care destitution, or private profiteering by a buddy system that excused anything except disloyalty to GWB, whose favorite philosopher is "Jesus"?
I can just hear the "My Friend" tone of the tempting snake, suggesting to Eve that indulging in The Knowledge of Good and Evil fruit would make her like God, able to point the finger of judgment at all those others, knowing, of course, that she was good. That is not only the original sin, it is the ongoing sin.
Barack says Republican tactics are divisive. They are, but they separate more than sissy liberals from patriotic "church-goers." They divide mankind itself into the deserving and the unworthy. Mutual respect, tolerance, fair-mindedness and even concern for the suffering of others take a back seat, and make this liberal feel intolerant. Vote Democratic _ for Barber, Arcuri and Obama.
William Masters
Oneonta
Taxpayers should be angry in Butternuts
The Sept. 24 story "State audit slams town of Butternuts," should anger every resident and taxpayer in the town of Butternuts.
The article is the prelude to the state's report. Every resident of the town should read the report.
The office of the state comptroller's conclusion is that the officers of the town of Butternuts did not follow procedures, practiced bad bookkeeping and failed to provide the comptroller's office with timely reports.
The state comptroller's office found that no crime had been committed. Inaccurate, incomplete and untimely reports may not be a crime in the eyes of the state's office of local government and school accountability, but it is criminal. The state and local government offices are equally responsible. Did the town board ask for help with the computer programs? Did the state respond?
Residents of the town of Butternuts, please read the report and then ask the town board to resign or come forward and correct the problem. Read Page 14 of the comptroller's office report. Its recommendation is business as usual.
Residents of the town of Butternuts, these are your tax dollars. Ask for an accounting in detail.
R. William Vrooman
Gilbertsville
Liberal perspective better for America
We have now seen enough of Sarah Palin to realize that at bottom she is just another flavor of politician. She has an interesting personal history and an engaging speaking style, but like all politicians, she artfully edits her persona, her record and the facts for maximum impact. She is a slick presenter of her party's line and has an attractive way of throwing mud, but it's still the line and still mud. One has to be a politician supported by a major political party to compete for high office. True "mavericks" do not get that far. The only way to penetrate the political smoke and mirrors is to look to the fundamental ideas that shape each party.
"In God we trust" expresses an inspiring and comforting perspective. But when the idea of trusting higher powers, of looking for benefits to descend from above, is extended to the human level it encourages the sense that powerful corporate and political elites are the source of peace and prosperity. It is a perspective that can lead to corporate welfare, tax breaks for the rich, the "trickle-down" economy, an "imperial" presidency, and the notion that we can use force to control the rest of the world.
"All men are created equal" leads to human relations and institutions based on respect and fairness and calls for a government that derives its "just powers from the consent of the governed." This view focuses on the importance of the individual and his connection to the rest of the world. It supports education and human rights to encourage personal development, institutions that protect individual security and dignity, and a balanced foreign policy. It says that if we want a better world, we have to unite to make it one. I prefer this "bottom up," liberal, perspective.
Duncan Smith
Oneonta
Lower fuel prices slow in coming
OK, if the price of oil is going down, then why are we still paying the high prices for gas and home-heating fuel? I read on the Internet that the Iranian oil minister wants OPEC not to pump too much oil. Why? Not making enough money? Sorry to hear that. Maybe it's time to stop buying from Iran anyway.
William Schermerhorn
Portlandville
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