Phony promises
aren’t worth much
Integrity means that one has brought all the elements of self, such as emotions, moral sensitivity and intelligence, together into a harmonious whole. It means that one is authentic, that one has character, that one is consistent (without, of course, being totally inflexible).
I believe that it demonstrates tremendous lack of integrity that Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan are going about the country saying one (often extreme) thing to the Tea Party and Christian right, another to businessmen (47 percent of us are lazy loafers), and still another (moderate) thing to the general public (wink, wink to the base) — all within the past year and all to get votes. This does not count the inconsistencies between what they have said this year and what they have said in earlier years. In some cases, they fudge their comments, in others they outright distort and lie.
They refuse to answer serious questions about how they intend to achieve their pie-in-the-sky promises of $5 trillion in tax reductions (most of which go to the wealthy), $2 trillion in increased (unnecessary) military spending, and at least $1 trillion per year in cutting the existing annual deficit — all within four years. This will be done painlessly and magically (promise — wink). They say they are for “sound” government regulations, but won’t talk about the consequences of those they plan to cut. They promise peace in our time by talking tough (= leadership?).
Their party uses (phony) voters’ registration scams to curtail Democratic votes.
Think about it.
Ed Ambrose
Oneonta
Think about the future when voting
With the upcoming election quickly approaching, there are many decisions voters are faced with.
Think about the current major decision in our state involving natural gas. Do we trust our local media with almost daily anti-drilling stories? Where do we get our information? Do they give us both sides of the story or do they have an agenda?
When I was a young man the controversy was the proposal to build I-88. The difference back then is the media was willing to give both sides of the story. The result of that highway being built was prosperity. It brought commerce to the area. Small and large business sprang up. Jobs were provided and people moved into the area. We need to get people back to work, in jobs where they are producing something.
The direction of our country is at a time of crisis. Is that what we want to leave our children? Do we want our children and country dependent on others?
Energy independence is our only solution right now. Projects like the Keystone XL pipeline and making use of our own oil, natural gas, wind, solar and other green resources it eh direction we need to take.
Our military personnel are serving overseas risking their lives in places where people hate us. If demand for foreign oil increased and our money was left here, economic conditions would greatly improve.
Where do we get our information? There is only one place _ inside of each one of us. We have to think for ourselves. Do not let some newspaper, T.V., computer, politician or neighbor tell you how to vote.
Look inside yourself and decided what direction you want for our country.
David Barnes
Masonville
Paper shouldn’t believe Obama’s lies
I am writing in response to the editorial the paper published Oct. 24 regarding the last presidential debate.
Generally, I find your editorial positions Pavlovian, patent and sophomoric. You seem to lack both objectivity and journalistic integrity. Why don’t you simply publish the talking points of the Democratic National Committee? It would save time and ink.
You are not journalists, you are advocates. Yet you lack the courage to reveal your advocacy, so you continue to pretend to report objectively.
Sadly, you are dangerous. The absence of an objective Fourth Estate is a doorway to tyranny. I believe it was Hitler who said, “The greater the lie, the easier it is to make people believe it.”
Regarding your specific editorial assertions, both FactCheck and actual journalists have revealed:
Personnel at the highest levels of the administration knew exactly what was happening in Benghazi in real time yet didn’t act. Obama lied!
In his condescension and sarcasm the President represented that bayonets are rarely used by our military. They are, Obama lied!
Romney’s op-ed regarding the auto bailout did recommend that government-backed financing would be necessary. It is available online. Obama lied!
Incidentally, Obama never saved the auto industry. This propaganda is revisionist history. Ford did just fine without a bailout. Chrysler is now an Italian company. GM went to bankruptcy court to subvert the rule of law. Obama’s intervention removed a non-compliant CEO and replaced him. Creditors and stockholders took a bath. The UAW got a piece of GM ownership on the taxpayers. This has to be the biggest political kickback in history. The UAW gave team Obama $5 million in campaign contributions and got back GM ownership. Not a bad day’s work!
By the way, GM still owes the taxpayers money. Don’t hold your breath!
Bob Biederman
New Lisbon
Think about power when voting
The presidential election is being claimed as the most important for the future of our country. The campaign rhetoric thus far proves that neither side has the courage to be truthful with U.S. voters.
If the United States continues on the path of the last 20 years it will be financially insolvent at the end of the next four years whomever is elected. We can neither continue to expand the welfare state nor continue our present military involvement all over the world.
We should remember that political power has always been used by those who control it to feather their and their supporters’ nests at the expense of the rest of the population. Ask yourself a simple question: would AARP support means testing for Medicare and Social Security if that would save the U.S. economically? Would the military-industrial complex agree to a reduction in our military spending that nearly equals the rest of the world’s spending combined? A friend recently stated that we are being herded like a bunch of sheep.
Gerard Bourgeois
Morris
Chris Gibson has earned your vote
I was fortunate to be able to attend the debate between Congressman Chris Gibson and his opponent, Julian Schreibman, last week in Morris Hall.
I appreciate our congressman’s record of working with others to find solutions to the problems we face. Not only has he worked to solve local problems, but he has been a vocal supporter of the only truly bipartisan budget proposal offered in the U.S. House, Cooper-LaTourette, which outlines a path to job creation through keeping taxes low, relieving burdensome regulations and addressing rising healthcare costs.
I found that Mr. Schreibman was inclined to divisiveness, especially as he sought repeatedly to misrepresent the congressman’s stance on the “District of Columbia Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act.” As Mr. Gibson explained, the bill contained almost exactly the same provisions as the New York state law regarding late-term abortions, something no New Yorkers complain is “extreme” or “anti-woman.” This law simply prohibits late-term abortions in the District of Columbia, which is under the governance and jurisdiction of the federal government pursuant to the Constitution and the D.C. charter, unless in the case of threat to life of the mother and is silent on rape and incest.
Chris Gibson has represented us intelligently, fairly and energetically, and he deserves your vote!
Andrea Campbell
Delhi
Spires is a breath
of fresh air
Levi Spires, Republican candidate for the 121st Assembly District, seeks the seat held by incumbent Assemblyman Bill Magee.
Spires’ candidacy gives us an opportunity to take advantage of the refreshing bipartisan atmosphere created in Albany by Gov. Cuomo. Alternatively, Mr. Magee’s 22 years have given him plenty of opportunity to have accomplished his legislative agenda.
In recent forums where Spires and Magee have debated, Mr. Spires appears to have been the more imaginative and energetic of the two. The Daily Star recently reported New York ranking 50th among the states in having a positive business climate. As a small startup businessman, Mr. Spires argues strongly for improved rural telecom, high-speed Internet, and cell phone structures - vital if our region is to attract similar startup businesses, and retain young people now exiting our region. Bills that would do just this languish in the Legislature with little evidence that Mr. Magee has taken an active approach in pushing such legislation.
Agriculture is both our state and region’s leading industry. Creating just one farm family creates 505 additional jobs. A small-business man, Spires clearly understands the contemporary business environment and seems more willing to wrestle with new initiatives as to what might be done to change and improve central New York farming and allied business conditions.
Between 1999 and 2010, a staggering 94 percent of incumbents were returned to Albany. However, it is Mr. Spires’ refreshing vitality, different perspectives and possible solutions encouraging economic growth in our district that is now needed. His stance on issues and personal policy articles can be seen on his website. On Nov. 6, it is time to send Levi Spires to Albany as assemblyman for our 121st District.
Thomas Gergel
Oneonta
Becker comes from good family background
Delaware County needs Carl F. Becker, incumbent, elected as county judge for a second term.
Judge Becker came to upper Delaware County, Stamford, in 1973, where he joined the law office of attorney Robert McDowell. He became a full partner in the law firm in 1979. Upon the tragic death of Mr. McDowell in June 1990, the law office transitioned to Mr. Becker.
Carl acted as village attorney for Stamford and Hobart. He also served as county attorney for 28 years prior to his judgeship.
During this time, the Beckers have been very involved in their community. He was a Boy Scout Master, member of Rotary International since 1974, serving as local president, youth exchange president and district president. He has served as deacon and elder in the Stamford United Presbyterian Church. He has also been very involved in the formation of CORE Values and Friends of Music.
Judge Becker has been diligent, teaching family law training at Albany Law School for the American Bar Association, subject: “Children and the Law.”
He also specialized in a multitude of training sessions with the New York State Public Welfare Association. Judge Becker became an active Supreme Court judge in 2011. He also helped establish the first drug treatment court for Delaware County in 2004.
The Beckers have a solid foundation of family values. He and his wife of 38 years, Christine, have two grown children and a precious granddaughter.
Delaware County has been served very fairly by Carl F. Becker for the past 10 years. Please cast your vote on Nov. 6, and help to re-elect Judge Becker to a second term as Delaware County judge.
Text ColorSwatch/NoneStrokeStyle/$ID/SolidText ColorSwatch/NoneStrokeStyle/$ID/Solid$ID/NothingText ColorText Color$ID/NothingText ColorText ColorHerbert and Mary Hait
Hobart
Republicans seem opposed to progress
Would you look at the people wanting to hold up progress on Southside, in the town of Oneonta — the Republicans. This is no change from the Republicans in Washington.
The Republicans don’t seem to agree to progress anywhere in the country.
These are the same people that want us to vote for their candidate in the upcoming November election. Are they really serious?
Text ColorSwatch/NoneStrokeStyle/$ID/SolidText ColorSwatch/NoneStrokeStyle/$ID/Solid$ID/NothingText ColorText Color$ID/NothingText ColorText ColorMarjorie J. Hathaway
Oneonta
Pipeline problems seem exaggerated
A few comments about the pipeline. I think we can all agree natural gas is becoming a major source of energy. I personally prefer to see it moved by pipeline, safer, more efficient, more economical, and more environmentally friendly. Do we want possibly 2,000-plus tankers of gas on our highways everyday traveling in this area to markets in the Northeast?
I know there is speculation a pipeline will draw fracking to the area. I live seven miles from the Tenneco (Tennessee Gas) pipeline in the West Winfield area. In 60 years of existence, I have never heard of any problems, nor have I seen any gas drilling rigs. Apparently drill rigs are not attracted to pipelines like flies to honey. I read where one lady wrote there will be no jobs for local people. Pipeline companies will import experienced workers. I saw the same about drilling. Later I read about people driving 100 miles south to work in the gas fields. Apparently we have many experienced gas field workers in the state. One of my classmates worked on the Tenneco line during the summer between our junior and senior years in high school. Hardly and imported, experienced worker.
After reading how this problem could happen and that problem could happen, the line could also be moving gas without problems for 100 years. Very unlikely anyone here today would ever know, would we?
I noted after the County Board voted to endorse the line, Sustainable Otsego promised to replace the two representatives from the Oneonta area with anti-pipeline people. After seeing the ad in the Daily Star with President Obama stating, “I want to encourage natural gas production” and “Fracking can be done safely,” are the anti-pipeline, anti-frack people planning to replace him, also?
Text ColorSwatch/NoneStrokeStyle/$ID/SolidText ColorSwatch/NoneStrokeStyle/$ID/Solid$ID/NothingText ColorText Color$ID/NothingText ColorText ColorFred Igel
West Winfield
Obama wrong on Planned Parenthood doing mammograms
Perhaps there is no greater falsehood than the deceitful, and largely successful, attempt to
persuade Americans that Planned Parenthood performs mammograms. It does not.
I recently received a political ad attacking Congressman Chris Gibson. The ad claimed that
his vote to deny funding to Planned Parenthood would deny women mammograms. This
is simply not true. Then in the presidential debate on Oct. 16, 2012, President Obama told
America “There are millions of women, all across the country, who rely on Planned Parenthood
for mammograms.” This is not true.
No Planned Parenthood clinic or affiliate in the country is legally authorized to perform
mammograms. Planned Parenthood itself has admitted that it does not perform mammograms.
Planned Parenthood and the politicians it supports are continuing a deliberate campaign to
deceive the public into believing the falsehood that Planned Parenthood performs mammograms
for women who otherwise wouldn’t have them.
Let’s have open debate on important issues. But let’s debate issues based on truth and not deceit.
Text ColorSwatch/NoneStrokeStyle/$ID/SolidText ColorSwatch/NoneStrokeStyle/$ID/Solid$ID/NothingText ColorText Color$ID/NothingText ColorText ColorAnne Koch, RN
West Edmeston
As a scientist, I’m for Obama
The November issue of Scientific American has an important report titled “America’s Science Problem” about the attack on scientific knowledge that has been gathering steam for several decades. It says scientists have been loath to get involved, hesitant to speak out. Well, I’m a scientist ... now 87 years old ... and I’m speaking out!
I am appalled at the ignorance of scientific facts exhibited by some of our senators and representatives. These people are not qualified to serve on committees involving science.
I am appalled at the ignorance of much of the general public about science.
I am appalled at the misguided power of religious organizations to hinder proper education of young children and also of well-intentioned adults. Religions have many good ideas, but also have caused some of the worst conflicts in history. Many good people, even including some scientists, struggle to integrate religion and science. Much of religion is based on historic but flawed attempts through the ages to explain things people didn’t understand .
This presidential election is of the utmost importance; Most scientists believe global warming is real. Other major world-wide problems are accumulation of methane released by melting perma-frost, dwindling fresh
water supplies and the population explosion.
These disasters are heading our way, and scientists are alarmed at the increasing speed of global warming.
Candidate Romney appears to not believe in global warming, and has no plans to confront it.
Candidate Obama has achieved some progress in dealing with aspects of it, such as the looming energy crisis, pollution and science education, but additional efforts were thwarted by constant activities of mostly Republicans in Congress to prevent him from being a successful president.
Think about this when you cast your vote for president. In the end, it is a very important issue.
Text ColorSwatch/NoneStrokeStyle/$ID/SolidText ColorSwatch/NoneStrokeStyle/$ID/Solid$ID/NothingText ColorText Color$ID/NothingText ColorText ColorMargaret B. Mathis
Morris
Medicare must be preserved
In reply to the Oct. 2 letter writer, who believes the primary reason our federal government has a huge deficit is because they spend too much money on social benefit programs:
That deficit was caused mainly by President George W. Bush’s fiscal policies, which turned surpluses developed under President Clinton into deficits. First, he gave huge tax reductions to the wealthiest Americans and powerful corporations.
Second, he started two wars that weren’t paid for.
Third, he introduced a Medicare drug plan that also wasn’t paid for.
The Medicare and Social Security programs the writer attacks are not hand-out programs. They are insurance programs funded by payroll taxes paid during the working years of their beneficiaries; premiums paid by seniors for post-retirement Medicare coverage; and personal income taxes paid on the Social Security benefits they receive.
Medicare has been in effect for nearly 50 years; Social Security, more than 75. All eligible participants have an earned right to receive benefits provided under these nonprofit insurance programs, at a cost considerably less than private plans.
It’s true both face solvency problems. As in insurance actuary, I am fully aware of that fact. However, the solution is not to dismantle them, as certain politicians, like Paul Ryan and Chris Gibson, promote. Like all insurance programs, they need financial shoring up from time to time. That means any combination of future contribution increases and future benefit reductions, as well as investment strategy improvements. It’s the work of actuaries in government and elsewhere to evaluate all financial alternatives, and to present their evaluations to the respective trustees.
Medicare and Social Security have been an integral and essential means of providing security and dignity for seniors. We would be well advised not to dismantle them, but, rather to strengthen them and preserve them well into the future.
Text ColorSwatch/NoneStrokeStyle/$ID/SolidText ColorSwatch/NoneStrokeStyle/$ID/Solid$ID/NothingText ColorText Color$ID/NothingText ColorText ColorMartin J. Weissman
Oneonta
Rich are laughing at our expense
If you listen carefully, you can hear the rich laughing. While we are embroiled in endless political squabbling, corporate crooks are systematically dismantling this country, while holding us hostage to high prices for vital commodities (food, medicine, fuel, etc.) they know we can’t do without.
It has been said that “Politicians are a lot like diapers, they should be changed often for the same reason.” But removing the incumbent big spending liberal for a millionaire capitalist with a questionable financial background will change nothing.
U.S. policy will remain the same no matter who is behind the wheel. Frankly, neither candidate is the best choice for America.
For some real change, I propose the following: Shut down Wall Street with a yellow ribbon tied around it, declare the area a crime scene, strip the racketeers of ill-gotten gains and put them all behind bars. We can all use a good laugh.
Text ColorSwatch/NoneStrokeStyle/$ID/SolidText ColorSwatch/NoneStrokeStyle/$ID/Solid$ID/NothingText ColorText Color$ID/NothingText ColorText ColorEdward Van Beers
New Berlin
