Letters to the Editor

Plain Dealer readers sound off on the latest news.

• Congress is lax in pursuing architects of our failing economy -- letter to the editor
Iam still astounded by the fact that even though we know who many of the thieves are who started the collapse of our economy via their own lust for money and personal greed, there is little outcry from Congress.

• Kudos to Connie Schultz and Jeff Darcy
Aheartfelt thank you to Connie Schultz for her "Images: Fist bump with Lincoln, a quiet moment at memorial" column that appeared in my hometown newspaper Sunday. She included both Matt Mendelsohn's Web site and The Plain Dealer's Web site showing Jeff Darcy's cartoon.

• Thank you for reminding readers of Bush's humanity -- letter to the editor
Regarding "The decency of George W. Bush" (Forum, Sunday);

• A haven for outlaws, or the morally righteous? - letter to the editor
Sanctuary cities are sending the wrong message: "Come to our city, and we will protect you from our laws."

• Clinton "surplus" made possible by raiding Social Security
Iwould like to remind people that there was no "real" surplus during the Clinton administration. During those years, Social Security ran a surplus that was then loaned to the federal government in order to balance the budget. In return, Social Security received IOUs. These IOUs need to be paid back just like any other form of government debt. It can hardly be said, then, that there was a surplus. The debt was simply hidden by rhetoric and propaganda.

• Letters to the editor
Government's incessant need to act in times of crisis costs us dearly.

• Bank fees will have you longing for a payday loan
Well, Ohio, with banks increasing fees and overdrafts nearing $40 per occurrence, I guess voting for Issue 5 wasn't such a good idea after all. You better start praying that you don't get laid off or fired (payday loan No. 1). Or that it stays warm this winter (loan No. 2). There is no increase in food prices (loan No. 3). And you don't bounce a check (loan No. 4).

• Is proposal to close Cleveland's Inner Belt Bridge retaliation on ODOT's part?
I am appalled by the Ohio Department of Transportation's proposal to close the Inner Belt Bridge for two years to rebuild it. Over the last five years, ODOT has built signature bridges in Toledo, Columbus and other Ohio cities in the Republican camp, some costing more than a half-billion dollars. But now it wants to cripple our city to save money.

• A question of serving Cleveland's Catholic communities - letters to the editor
I believe that Bishop Richard Lennon is doing the right things regarding the closing of Catholic churches. His concern is for the sacramental needs of Catholic people and for the material and spiritual needs of the wider community. It is not a question of how many buildings are standing, but how best to meet people's needs.

• A two-pronged approach to stimulating the economy
Aproposal to give out $15,000 vouch ers to purchase a General Motors, Ford or Chrysler vehicle would be a great use of taxpayer money.

• Seeking enlightenment on a better alternative to capitalism
In his column Sunday on school funding, Thomas Suddes dismissed proponents of free markets as "magic-of-the-market thumb-suckers." Before he dismisses free-market capitalism with such erudition, perhaps Suddes would be kind enough to point to another economic system that has created so much wealth for so many, while allowing those laboring under it the dignity to freely challenge themselves and develop their talents as they see fit.

• 11th District's special primary and general elections offer little return for public's investment
I live in the 11th Congressional District, and there was a special Democratic primary on Oct. 18 to fill the seat of Stephanie Tubbs Jones. This election received little publicity. I saw no ads from the candidates, and there were about eight of them.

• Plain Dealer takes another cheap shot at Cuyahoga County Democratic leader Jimmy Dimora
I feel that some response to Mark Naymik's "Cuyahoga Dems didn't deliver" column (Nov. 11) is necessary. Naymik writes, "The one guy who didn't do anything to improve Cuyahoga County's Democratic performance is party boss Jimmy Dimora, who was busier counting FBI agents than potential voters."

• Ed Hauser was a tireless advocate for Whiskey Island, region's lakefront
Our lakefront activist, Ed Hauser, has unexpectedly passed away at a mere 47 years of age. We should all be inspired by his tenacity, which constantly challenged the city, the Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Port Authority and development plans. Clearly, some people were put on this Earth to challenge these things.

• Wave of political change is needed closer to home
While the American electorate understandably and proudly chose "change" on a national level, it remains unclear as to why the same logic was not applied to local political races. If the majority of our nation's most impoverished cities continue to be run by left-leaning ideologues and bureaucrats, problems that plague urban areas will never "change," and future generations will fail to understand the oft-repeated mantra: When you always do what you've always done, you'll always get what you've already got.

• The Obamas are role models for black families
It is great to finally see a black woman such as Michelle Obama in the public eye. She has done what my parents taught their five daughters: Empower yourself. Marry someone who complements you, and you him. Raise your children together.

• Standing on principle, refusing to support President-elect Obama
Last Sunday's Plain Dealer noted that churches all over the city were praying for Barack Obama as he must deal with our economy in crisis. Were these same churches calling for prayers for President Bush several weeks ago as the economy tanked, or was he not worthy?

• Washingtonian should visit Kucinich's district before bestowing praise
I strongly suggest that the woman from the state of Washington (Letters, Wednesday) visit Northeast Ohio, specifically District 10, which is "represented" by Dennis Kucinich, before writing how much she appreciates his efforts. Witness the region's growing blighted areas, foreclosed houses, closed businesses, resident flight, well-above-average unemployment and increasing crime - all legacies of Kucinich's 12-years-and-counting leadership.

• Bailout for foolish automakers ought to be a nonstarter - letters to the editor

• What Obama's victory says, and doesn't say, about racism

• Government should bail out DHL, saving thousands of Ohio jobs
Since the government is bailing out the banks, insurance companies and prob ably the auto companies, why don't officials buy DHL? They could then turn it over to the U.S. Postal Service and hire the people of Wilmington to run it.

• It appears Obama's Cabinet will be packed with Clinton retreads
Iwas dismayed as I read the names of President-elect Barack Obama's transi tion team and the list of possible Cabinet appointees. Excuse me, but aren't most of them the same old political hacks who worked in the Clinton administration? Summers, Daley, Podesta, Dee Dee Meyers, et al.

• The right fix for our Inner Belt Bridge woes is worth the wait
Iunderstand Mayor Frank Jackson's op position to closing the Inner Belt Bridge, but do we really want the next Interstate 35 Bridge disaster here? Not to mention, a new bridge replacing the existing one would cost around $200 million, as opposed to $525 million for the original two-bridge solution.

• Not moved by domestic-partner registry that doesn't confer rights
Regarding "City Council studies registry for partners" (Tuesday):

• Cuyahoga County Jail staffers are culpable in Sean Levert's death
I just read Donna J. Miller's account of Sean Levert's final hours on Earth and am appalled by the inhumane treatment the man was subject to in our Cuyahoga County Jail. Why do we treat stray dogs and cats better than we do our own fellow man?

• LeBron James may have misspoken, but his sentiments were understood
Jeers to The Plain Dealer for its "jeer" last week of LeBron James. At worst, James misspoke when "he said he was asking people in their 50s and 60s how Barack Obama's victory felt to them," having gone through "slavery times." At best, he was merely encompassing a people whose family roots dated back to times of slavery. I'd call this nitpicking of the highest order!

• Cleveland's own Herb Score made his mark on baseball field and in announcer's box; he will be missed
My father instilled in me the some times agonizing yet always proud task of supporting, cheering for and loving Cleveland sports teams. Baseball was his passion, and the Tribe was his team. Herb Score was our announcer.

• Banks' allocation of taxpayer bailout dollars reeks of brazen thievery
Amazingly, my ongoing outrage at the Republican Party has been outdone by my newfound rage at the heads of the banking industry. I just read a letter the honorable Henry Waxman sent to the CEO of Wells Fargo, in which Waxman chastises him and the heads of eight other banks for putting $108 billion of the currently allocated $125 billion taxpayer bailout dollars toward compensation and bonuses.

• Retiree is paying for the Wall Street bailout in more ways than one
Like most retirees, I have watched the value of my retirement savings shrink because of the Wall Street crisis and the subsequent bailout. Unlike most retirees, I am doubly penalized by the bailout.

• PNC takeover of National City should not be approved by Washington, Wall St. insiders
Tuesday's front-page article about the sale of National City Corp. to PNC Financial Services Group of Pittsburgh, as presented by PNC, is analogous to the questionable and hyperbolic "weapons of mass destruction" story that Washington's insiders spun to the public in order to justify an attack on Iraq. The takeover of National City will create winners and losers, decided by Washington insiders, just as the takeover of Iraq created winners and losers.

• Grateful that Ohio's 10th Congressional District has re-elected Dennis Kucinich
My heartfelt thanks goes out to all of the voters in the 10th District who voted to re-elect Dennis Kucinich to the House of Representatives.

• Barack Obama, much to the media's dismay, is not president yet
Regarding your entertaining commemorative edition:

• Obama's election proves it's time to retire affirmative action
The election of Barack Obama to the presidency is proof positive that any one willing to work hard and persevere can attain any goal without artificial assistance.

• System for funding schools in Ohio is desperately in need of a fix
I breathe a sigh of relief to know that my local school levy passed by a comfort able margin last Tuesday. I know, however, that in a few short years we'll be asking voters for more.

• Equality still elusive for gay Americans
This election was not the great leap forward in equality everyone seems to say it is.

• Thank American veterans for their service to our country
It has been reported that World War II veterans are dying off at a rate of 1,000 per day. I usually take note of the number of veterans passing by reading The Plain Dealer's Obituary pages; Saturday alone listed 12.

• With analog becoming obsolete, TV recyclers are at your disposal
In response to the letters to the editor on Nov. 3 regarding the transition to digital television, a number of recycling options exist for old TVs.

• Well done, Plain Dealer
In my 75 years, the election of Barack Obama was the most definitive moment in American democracy that I have ever witnessed.

• Obama's plan calls for a rollback to Clinton tax rates
Folks making more than $250,000 a year have already begun predicting doom over the "outrageous tax bills" they'll be receving. It's worth remembering that Barack Obama's economic plan calls for returning federal income tax rates to what they were in 1999 -- when we had a budget surplus.

• Obama-hating dittoheads must free themselves of ignorance
For all those who are wondering how a terrorist/socialist/Muslim/Arab/ illegal immigrant/left-wing radical with a racist wife has become the next president-elect of the United States, I suggest you listen to someone other than Sean Hannity, Bill O'Reilly and Rush Limbaugh. In this coming age of change and enlightenment, the dark will be an increasingly lonely place to live.

• McCain's choice of Palin, no matter the reason, cost him the election
It is ironic that John McCain could have won this election if he hadn't been so . . . "John McCain."

• McCain campaign is using Sarah Palin as a scapegoat
It's being reported that some in the McCain camp are ridiculing Sarah Palin for her lack of knowledge and even calling her a hillbilly.

• Watching for Gov. Strickland's reaction to invasion of Joe the plumber's privacy
It will be interesting to see whether Gov. Ted Strickland insists on an investigation of the coverup of Helen Jones- Kelley's improper check of Joe the plumber's records, or whether he goes along with it, sending the clear but very unwise message that truth, honesty and openness are unimportant in his administration.

• O'Brien is right; there is much work to be done -- to unite America

• Reflections on America's choice of Barack Obama as president

• The mixing of Catholicism and politics

• It's shameful that a felon could earn a Senate seat
Sen. Ted Stevens has been convicted of seven felonies. This makes him a felon until such time as he may get the convictions overturned or pardoned.

• Seating a nonpartisan vote board would be near impossible
Iread Sunday's editorial calling for a nonpartisan board to run elections in Ohio. I find this interesting since The Plain Dealer opposed the constitutional amendment calling for this back in 2005.

• Post-election, it's time for partisans to make nice -- or not
Thanks to Connie Schultz for her post- election column "Let's get back to getting along." I'm probably one of many who handed her column to a loved one.

• Fighting cancer with style
As one who recently has been diagnosed with breast cancer, thank you for the Oct. 29 article "Beautiful victories." It was refreshing to see a fashion feature devoted to advising and inspiring women who still wish to feel empowered and in control despite having cancer.

• Credit President Bush for keeping us safe
The most important responsibility of any government is the protection of its citizens.

• Whose interests are served by PNC-National City deal?
While many Northeast Ohioans (politicians included) are distressed about the sale of National City Corp. to PNC Financial Services Group of Pittsburgh for more than $5 billion, let's attempt to separate fact from fiction:

• Let Obama's pleas move you to action
For all of you who were inspired (whether you voted for him or not) by President-elect Barack Obama's victory speech, now what?

• Small businesses are bracing for Obama's tax increase
As small-business owners, my husband and I now (because of Barack Obama) can't even entertain the thought of hiring anyone. Every penny will have to be saved in order to pay the outrageous tax bills coming our way.

• Proud of Americans' choice of Barack Obama for president
Ihave been proud to be an American - but never more so than on Tuesday eve ning, when "we the people" elected Barack Hussein Obama as the next president of our (finally) United States. Americans have elected the son of a black Muslim man and a white woman to the most influential and powerful position in the world. This is a testament to who we are as a people. It was especially heartwarming that the Midwest, where populism was born, put him over the top.

• Obama's win is reduced to race by the giddy media
Newspapers everywhere and online pages galore are spreading the good news . . . for blacks. America has elected our first black president.

• PR advice to Port Authority was limited to just that
We want to clarify comments made in Brent Larkin's recent column (Oct. 26) about a communications strategy we prepared for the Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Port Authority.

• RTA didn't live up to The Plain Dealer's billing on busy Sunday
After reading The Plain Dealer on Sat urday and learning that you were rec ommending that we all use the Regional Transit Authority to avoid a parking nightmare on Sunday, I drove to the Brookpark RTA station after dropping the kids at my mother's home. I was early and excited to see my first Browns game this season.

• Hospitals' lax oversight and spendthrift ways cost patients
Concerning the theft of $3.8 million from St. Vincent Charity Hospital over six years by Jenny Hovinen and her accomplice husband, Jeff Hovinen:

• Looming TV conversion mandate raises questions, complaints - letters to the editor
While our focus is on Tuesday's election, a month after our next presi dent is sworn in, 10 million to 20 million TVs will become obsolete.

• Presidential campaign closes in a brawl over socialism - letters to the editor

• Clevelanders: Judge not the Gay Games -- letters to the editor

• No one wants women jailed over abortions - letters to the editor

• The ad-watch truth meter favors Obama - letters to the editor

• Limit and equalize campaign spending, outlaw false campaign advertising
It should be clearly apparent that the presidential election is being bought by the Obama political machine. With that said, two things must happen so that this doesn't happen again.

• National City's board is hardly blameless - letter to the editor
Isn't the board of directors supposed to protect the interests of the shareholders of publicly traded companies? Will the board of National City Corp. be held accountable when blame for the company's demise is apportioned?

• American-made materiel makes armed forces' safer
John McCain calls provisions that en courage the government to purchase products from American companies "the worst, most disgraceful aspect of the legislative process in Washington." What does it say about McCain's views on defense spending if he's willing to entrust our national security to products manufactured by the Chinese to save a few bucks?

• Presidential vote will be cast based on qualifications, not race
In response to both letters to the editor last Saturday:

• If wisdom comes with age, why are Ohio senior citizens supporting John McCain?
The only demographic still favoring Sen. John McCain over Sen. Barack Obama in the latest Ohio Newspaper Poll is the over-65 group. Have they forgotten that McCain supported President Bush's attempt to privatize Social Security?

• Barack Obama's 'bag of goodies' belies American values
Wednesday night's "Obamunist Manifesto" was an embarrassment. How far have we fallen that so many of us feel that the federal government is the best solution to our problems? Barack Obama's 30-minute wish list had everything: free college tuition and health care, jobs and housing for everyone, cheap cars of the future and green energy invented out of thin air.

• Prayer, politics and fighting for America
William Kristol (Opinion, Tuesday) asks, "Do we really want to elect a president on a hope and a prayer?" This is another example of how some people disregard the power of prayer.

• Louis Stokes injects race in plan to reform Cuyahoga County government
Regarding "Stokes' opposition kills plan" (Thursday):

• Readers offer alternate route to get to Tremont neighborhood
We'd hate to see Tremont lose its luster due to the closing of the West 14th Street ramp to the Inner Belt.

• Finally, we're in the election home stretch
Hallelujah, the end is near! Nov. 4 is finally in sight.

• Plain Dealer's distribution of anti-Obama DVD crossed the line
I retrieved my morning paper Wednesday to find inside a DVD smearing Barack Obama. "Hype: The Obama Effect" is an embarrassment to its creators and nearly everyone interviewed in it. The movie is full of factual errors, idiotic lies and baseless smears.

• Why should the Sarah Palin noose get a pass?
I was stunned to read a small article in the Politics roundup Wednesday. It mentioned a Sarah Palin effigy that had been hung in Hollywood as a Halloween decoration and that the sheriff was defending this country's freedom-of-speech rights by not having it removed.

• PNC wasn't shown favor because of comptroller's past relationship
Rep. Stephen C. LaTourette's letter raising questions about my role in PNC Financial Services Group's proposed acquisition of National City Corp. contains misstatements of fact that were reported by The Plain Dealer this week.

• Elizabeth Sullivan details horrors of bailout's tricks and treats - letter to the editor
Elizabeth Sullivan's shocking "pork" report Sunday about this so-called bail out took my breath way. How appropriate that it's Halloween!

• Are communism and socialism new American values? - letters to the editor
From each according to his abilities, to each according to his needs."

• News of National City's sale to PNC of Pittsburgh is devastating to Cleveland
When we lost our football team, Cleveland's political and business leadership rallied, and we got a new franchise and a new stadium.

• Pro-life and pro-choice issues to consider
Several recent letters and columns have used Cardinal Joseph Bernardin's consistent ethic of life as a means of valuing a wide range of issues that affect our quality of life. Typically, the writer presents a host of life issues - abortion, war, health care, education, etc. - and suggests that we balance the pros and cons of the candidates over the entire spectrum to arrive at a most-good, least-evil selection.

• A little civility, please
The Plain Dealer, in endorsing Sen. Barack Obama for president last Sunday, mentions disappointment in both candidates for using shameless exaggeration and twisting records beyond recognition.

• Criticism leveled at GOP tactics, views, wardrobe - letters to the editor
Sarah Palin has already apologized for her comments suggesting that small towns and rural areas are "the real America" and were the "pro-America" parts of this country. But the problem is not that she said these things. The problem is that she believes them.

• Weighing the pros and cons of Ohio ballot issue - letters to the editor

• McCain would rein in a runaway judiciary - letter to the editor
We never voted "for" or "against" removing the Ten Command ments from public places, banning prayer from public schools, the right to abortion, the right to show or publish pornography even to minors, the right to same-sex marriage or the right for illegal aliens to get taxpayer-paid benefits. We have been silenced by activist federal judges who are now creating laws for all of us.

• Obama's plans involve spending your money - letters to the editor
Barack Obama's comments about "spread(ing) the wealth" are exactly what horrify me about him becoming president and make me despise the Democratic Party.

• Columnist Kevin O'Brien riles readers of Bill Ayers - letter to the editor
Thanks to Kevin O'Brien for a suc cinct portrayal of Barack Obama's "pal," Bill Ayers, and why the relationship matters. O'Brien is pretty much the lone voice of reason and fact at The Plain Dealer when it comes to all things Obama.

• Throwing their full support behind Barack Obama

• Vote for John McCain for president - letter to the editor
Iinvite all uncommitted voters to join me in supporting Sen. John McCain's candidacy for president of the United States. Thank you.

• Don't let racism hold America back
In analyzing the presidential election, it appears to me that racism is very much prevalent in American society. The 6 percent of Americans who say they will not vote for Barack Obama because he is black (20 percent of West Virginia voters) is not incredibly shocking.

• Consider Jewish holidays when scheduling school events
Now that the Jewish High Holy Days are over for this year, it's time to look ahead. I find it somewhat ironic that while school superintendents, athletic associations and other secular groups find it difficult to acknowledge the importance of the High Holy Days for Jews, our national government, in the midst of an economic crisis, was able to shut down for two days out of respect for those of the Jewish faith.

• Add Lake County to the list of Cleveland's best fall locales
The Lake County Visitors Bureau would like to add Lake County to the list of Best of Cleveland fall spots featured in Saturday's Plain Dealer.

• Heights schools' plan to equip students with computers is at forefront of education
I applaud the Cleveland Heights-Univer sity Heights School District for provid ing middle school and high school students with laptop computers.

• Is this Cleveland or Sodom?
Is Cleveland so hard up for money that we need to push aside our morals and integrity and vie to host the 2014 Gay Games (Plain Dealer, Oct. 16)? Are we condoning homosexuality by courting this event? It's bad enough that gay marriages are being legalized.

• Commuters willing to trade 'favors' for congestion-free traffic
Upon speaking with some fellow daily commuters, we agreed we would trade four lap dances and a couple of charter fishing trips for four open lanes on the Innerbelt Bridge on Cleveland workdays.

• Plain Dealer showed courage in exposing disparities in Cuyahoga County justice
Kudos to The Plain Dealer for your special report, "Justice blinded: race, drugs and our legal system" (Sunday and Monday). The statistics and stories speak for themselves. It is clear from these two articles that our justice system is not fair. No other conclusion can be drawn.