Editor, Times-Union: In response to the 2-23-2004 letter "Jobs, Jobs, Jobs," isn't it weird how the "Democrats" are saying that President Bush is the reason for all the lost jobs and the bad economy when it was a "Democrat" (Bill Clinton) (or was it Hillary that was in charge?) that signed all the agreements allowing those 2.6 million "high paying manufacturing jobs to go overseas since January 2001" as you put it? I think we should be encouraged by the numbers considering President Bush is doing what he can with what the "Democrats" left him and our country with after the eight years of the Bill and Hillary show! At least President Bush can make good "moral" decisions without having to ask his wife's permission to see if it is "politically correct."
Tony Sainer Warsaw via e-mail
Likes Mitch Daniels
Editor, Times-Union: Please picture with me the following: An Indiana state government that works with you and for you, not against you; an Indiana state government that is run efficiently for all its citizens; an Indiana state government in which the people who work for the government all work together for a common purpose - to unite and support the citizens of Indiana.
In other words, they actually work for the people - just how a democracy was meant to work in the first place.
Now, you might say, "Yeah, right, whatever - a bit unrealistic and idealistic isn't it?" OK, I admit this does appear idealistic, but it is not unrealistic nor is it unachievable. My Man Mitch - Mitch Daniels to be exact - is running for governor of Indiana with these very goals in mind.
Mitch stands for economic growth, government reform, ethics, health and wellness, education and uniting Indiana in common purpose. Overall, Mitch wants to bring higher standards and accountability to a state government that has been lacking.
Now, is the picture becoming more real to you? I see it as something Indiana can definitely not afford to miss out on, so will you please join me and support Mitch Daniels for governor of Indiana? Thank you.
Tami Miller Frederick, Md., and Winona Lake
via e-mail
School Issues
Editor, Times-Union: I am writing this letter for several reasons. The first is to let the teachers of Atwood, Claypool and Silver Lake know that the CCQE is behind you 110 percent. The promise that was made when all this started was that all the kids would move together as a school was not kept as 19 Atwood kids will be going to Leesburg. The other promise that was broken is that all the teachers would also go with the kids. Well, two teachers from Atwood are going to Leesburg and one is going to Jefferson and one from Silver Lake doesn't know where they are going to end up, but they were told it wouldn't be Washington .
The Washington school has gone from using three portables to none now to using one. Is there anyone in this transition team that knows what is going on? We are told one thing then in a short time we are told something completely different. The parents or teachers have not been asked or really even told anything about this transition and that is just WRONG!
Another issue I would like to cover is the school board requesting at the last meeting that the public needs to send all questions they want to ask in advance to Dr. McGuire. This is just crazy! The school board needs to remember they work for the taxpayers, and it seems to me they have forgotten this! Everyone (except Mark, who was appointed) sitting on the board was elected to represent the taxpayers and that means listening to us whether or not they like it or agree with what we have to say. That is your job! Three positions are up for re-election and remember that you all can be replaced and I hope that all three of you are!
Vallerie Rowland Claypool via e-mail
Gun Legislation
Editor, Times-Union: It's started. The anti-gunners are trying to add the extension to the Clinton gun ban to the legislation to ban the frivolous lawsuits.
We need to contact Senators Lugar and Bayh and ask them to vote "no" on adding S.1034 to S.659. Should it get added anyway, then they need to vote "no" on S.659. It's more important, at this time, to allow the gun ban to sunset on schedule. The lawsuits are going nowhere and we can get back to that later.
It's important that we take action now. This should be on the floor very soon. This being an election year, we need to let these people know we are still watching.
On a side note, in case you haven't heard, Ohio has now passed a carry permit. There are now only four states with no permit.
