Gillibrand vote on bailout correct
The Dow tumbled, despite the U.S. Senate- and House-approved $700 trillion bailout bill. In an editorial written by The Daily Star, Congresswoman Gillibrand was criticized for voting against the controversial bailout. In my opinion, she did the right thing. It was a courageous thing to do since she will not be getting any money from fat-cat Wall Street lobbyists for her vote.
The truth is that no one really knows what's the right thing to do to help the credit crunch in this country.
Many economists have said that to use 10 percent of this country's gross domestic product to assist only 5 percent of the economy is foolish. Also, they point to the bad debt being purchased and they have said there will not be a good return on our investment.
It is my understanding that this bill was not needed, since the Treasury and the feds have the authority to assist failing financial institutions without Congress. This wasn't even on the table for discussion.
Everyone is pointing to the fact that credit has dried up. While mine is not a popular opinion, I have to say it, "So what?" Perhaps it's time to live within our means. Perhaps it's time to re-evaluate the need to purchase a new car every two years.
In a capitalist society, government intervention is not the right move. If we are to socialize the stock market before we offer socialization of this country's horrible health care industry, it only says to me that the U.S. only protects the very wealthy. In truth, many Americans have been suffering for the past three years. They have already felt the pinch of dried-up credit.
I applaud and thank Congresswoman Gillibrand for doing her job and doing it well.
Kevin Grant
Hobart
Change desperately needed in Albany
Jim Seward at election time uses our money to buy our votes, but the rest of the time he's doing the bidding of the insurance industry; higher HMO rates, stripped-down policies that have higher deductibles and lack life-saving benefits. Jim has taken more than $300,000 in campaign contributions from the insurance industry.
We no longer can afford Jim Seward, who has followed a blind allegiance to the policies of George W. Bush and ex-Sen. Joe Bruno. Seward stated in the Jan. 29 edition of The Daily Star, in supporting Bush, "I think he will go out of his office with his head held high." Under eight years of George W. Bush our country is in the worst shape since the Great Depression. In the Jan. 2, 2007, Daily Star, Jim Seward stated clearly he would support Joe Bruno for majority leader in the New York State Senate. Under Joe Bruno's leadership in the Senate, our state government has been labeled the most dysfunctional state government in America.
We can no longer afford Jim Seward and the policies he supports. Under the Bush administration, our country is trillions in debt.
Joe Bruno, who is still under investigation by the FBI, resigned from the New York State Senate in July, leaving New York with more than $40 billion in debt. According to Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli's website, New York's $2,517 debt per person is more than double the national average.
We need change in Albany. We do not need a political party pawn as our state senator and one who is owned by insurance lobbyists. We need someone who will truly represent the people of upstate New York and who is fiscally responsible. We need a strong voice in Albany. We need Don Barber.
Sally A. Barlow
Oneonta
Barlow is a volunteer with the Barber for Senate Campaign.
A way to prosecute Bush on Iraq war
In Vermont, on Nov. 4, voters will decide who their next attorney general will be. Challenging Democratic incumbent William Sorrell will be the Progressive Party candidate Charlotte Dennett.
At a recent news conference, Dennett announced that if elected, she would appoint former Los Angeles prosecutor Vincent Bugliosi as special prosecutor to prosecute George W. Bush for murder.
In his book, "The Prosecution of George W. Bush for Murder," Bugliosi sets forth the argument for establishing jurisdiction in any state that has lost a solider in Bush's Iraq war. He also discusses the legal reason of why Bush's lies to Congress and the American people constitute the murder of the soldiers he sent to Iraq.
"Someone has to step forward," Dennett announced. "Someone has to say we cannot put up with this lack of accountability any more."
I urge our neighbors in Vermont to vote Charlotte Dennett for attorney general. I remember reciting a certain phrase, "and justice for all" every morning in grade school. Wouldn't that be something if it were true?
Michael Perry
Davenport
Fee to aid HEAP just another tax
New York state is going to charge our light bills the price of a cup of coffee, about $2, to pay for the HEAP program. This year, the price of coffee. Maybe next year the price of a steak.
New York is one of the highest-tax states there is. Officials don't want to admit this is another tax. The people who work are having a hard time now making ends meet. A lot of people hold down two jobs now to help with the taxes and extras.
Retired people only get paid once a month. How much more do they expect from the working class?
I don't mind helping people in need, but when someone buys a wedding cake with food stamps, it is not right. Food stamps were meant for food to help families.
Everyone is having a hard time making ends meet. Before we vote for anyone, we better be sure they are not planning on raising taxes. When we next vote on a governor, we need to be careful who we put in office. I'd like to see him live on $20,000 a year or less. No one in government could live on that.
Edna Baker
East Worcester
Price Chopper did right on tobacco
Did you notice something different in your area Price Chopper stores? Chances are your children may have. Studies show that children are more influenced by tobacco ads in stores than they are by peer pressure.
Grocery stores promote healthy food and wellness, and cigarettes don't fit. Offering cigarettes is more of a convenience to customers.
As a balance between health and convenience, Price Chopper covered up the big red-and-white Marlboro sign on its cigarette cases and added opaque glass. Now the cigarette case reads "Cigarette Center" and customers can still buy their cigarettes without it influencing our children.
Next time you are in one of your local Price Choppers, let them know you appreciate the change. As a parent and a customer, I want to personally thank Price Chopper!
Aletha Martinez
Middlefield
Martinez is project director of Rural Three for Tobacco Free Communities of Bassett Healthcare in Cooperstown.
Drivers, be more careful on Southside
Have you noticed that in recent times drivers do not seem to adhere to the rules of the road? I see it all the time. Everything from not using turning signals to not obeying the speed limit (either too fast or too slow).
My point here is that on Southside going toward Davenport just after Wal-Mart there is a sign that clearly states 55 mph. However, people consistently are going 45 or less. Why is that? I mean can people not see the sign that states 55 mph? I know that I can.
That brings me to the whole Southside fiasco. Drivers are not using turning signals, are talking on cell phones and darting out into traffic without looking. I have experienced this quite a few times firsthand. It is these drivers who are liable to cause accidents.
So to sum this up, I say to those drivers, please, be more careful. There are lives at stake.
Joel Denza
Morris
Palin comments insult middle class
There is a wide variety of people who fit into the under-$250,000-income, middle-class America. Am I the only one who feels insulted by Gov. Palin categorizing all middle-class men as beer drinkers and all middle-class women as moms?
Gale Sorenson
Morris
Print this story
E-mail this story
