Voice of the People - February 25, 2009
We don't need another Hoover
I am among those who hate to reimburse the ones who got us into this mess, but I must turn my concern to those thousands who will suffer the most.
We do not know if the the stimulus act will help with the present recession or not. President Herbert Hoover thought the free market would solve everything and chose to do nothing. We know this led us into the Great Depression, from which we did not recover fully until World War II.
I hope that our representatives who opposed the stimulus will not be the Herbert Hoovers of 2009.
Sandy Howie
York
What we are doing is not working
I am neither a Democrat nor a Republican. I am an American, semi-retired 62 year old. I believe in our democratic system and supported President Bush on his goals, even when I did not agree. However the policies of the past eight years have failed and it is time for new thinking.
I will support President Obama and his goals as well. I am not sure the stimulus package on the table will achieve all the desired goals to turn the economy around, bring us world respect and put workers back to work. But I am sure what we have been doing is not working. To both the Republicans and Democrats in Congress: Let's try a new approach to solving America's issues. Don't give me the party line speech. Give me actions showing you are concerned about our country as well as our future. Belly up to the bar and take accountability for your actions and stop blaming "the other side of the aisle." Listen to the millions of Americans who are hurting today. Listen to the many standing in lines for any job.
Our governor, our senators (state & federal) our local representatives (county and city levels) need to get off their pedestals and come down to the level of the real-world workers. The economic disparity between most politicians and the real folks who live in and run our country makes it hard for them to really understand our predicament. While I may be handling things OK (despite huge losses in my retirement savings), my children are all in danger of losing jobs and everything they have worked hard for. My grandchildren are in danger of having their schools lose funding, teachers and programs. This is not acceptable. They are entitled to a top-notch education so they can compete in an ever more complicated world economy.
I had a great education in post-World War II America. I want nothing less for my family. I urge politicians to speak to us and not down to us. Listen to us. Hear us. Wake up. As Americans we cannot accept that so many of us are unemployed, underemployed, hungry and have lost hope and confidence that there is a better way to live. Perhaps now is the time in history for new thinking, using creative strategies to re-invent a strong America with vital, productive citizens.
Jim Berry
Rock Hill
Two-year terms are long enough
It doesn't surprise me that York County Council members voted to ask their constituency to extend their term from two years to four years. I hope voters completely understand what this will mean and what some council members expect to achieve with this vote!
If this passes, you will be stuck with council members, good or bad, for a much longer term. Yes, four-year terms will allow council to establish good working relationships and a better working knowledge of county government. On the other hand, it opens the door for alliances to form and control of the council to be seized by a few with special interests at heart and not the interest of the county.
Two years is plenty of time to prove you are worthy to represent your constituency and the entire county. If you are effective and put the needs of your constituency first, voters will not have a problem returning to the polls every two years to put you back in the seat. Let the work you've done for the county speak for you.
William "Bump" Roddey
Rock Hill
Put road money to good use
Re: "Stimulus Can Help ... and use it to fix roads." One can only hope our DOT finds the money to resurface Museum Road instead of throwing loose asphalt on top of the crumbling patches.
Barbara Bynum
Rock Hill
This story was originally published February 25, 2009 at 1:18 AM with the headline "Voice of the People - February 25, 2009."