Letters to the Editor

Plain Dealer readers sound off on the latest news.

• Editorial cartoon interpreted as racist
I am writing to express my extreme disappointment in the editorial cartoon Saturday by Mike Lukovich regarding the election of Barack Obama. As an African-American and daily subscriber to The Plain Dealer, I am deeply offended and shocked by the overt, racist insinuation that the election of an African-American as president is due to the unpopularity of George W. Bush. I am very open-minded and am able to be objective in seeing the humor and satire in most of your displays. However, I see no humor whatsoever here.

• Animal rescue group PAWS needs more helping hands
During these tough economic times, foreclosures have left some of our four-legged friends without homes. The Public Animal Welfare Society (PAWS), a foster-home rescue organization, is looking for foster parents to take care of these abandoned animals left in the cold on the streets of Cuyahoga County.

• Greedy retailers? No, consumers should claim that title
Greedy retailers had it coming, because they charge high interest rates on their credit cards? (Letters, Jan. 1). Please. What about the greedy people who walk out of stores with merchandise they do not intend to pay for when the bill comes due?

• States should line up behind taxpayers for bailout dollars
Like every taxpayer, I am watching the handling of the financial crisis. There seems to be a consensus that the federal government needs to stimulate the economy. For the next round of bailouts, states are getting in line.

• Contrary to popular belief, Gaza is no longer an occupied territory
A Dec. 31 letter to the editor from John Loeffel implied that Gaza is an occupied territory. His facts are mistaken. Gaza is not occupied by the Israelis, nor has it been since the summer of 2005. At that time, Israel uprooted thousands of its citizens, withdrew its soldiers and turned the strip over to the Palestinians.

• Pat O'Malley managed Cuyahoga County recorder's office well
Take it from one who uses it often: Pat O'Malley ran a superb Cuyahoga County recorder's office. Recorded title documents are easily accessible online, at no charge. Compare that with surrounding counties.

• Wealthy, divorcing couple have no idea what it means to struggle
The Dec. 30 article "Divorce is another victim of crashing housing market" divulges another tragic and heartbreaking situation. A young couple going through divorce is struggling to find a way to divide the assets of their not one, but two, million-dollar homes and their other investment properties - while others are doing whatever they can to put food on the table.

• County treasurer should automatically adjust homeowners' tax bills
We just received our real estate prop erty tax bill for the first half of 2008. Once again, Cuyahoga County Treasurer Jim Rokakis has increased our bill. It is my understanding that the tax bill is based on the value of the property being taxed. According to recent news reports, property values have declined considerably.

• A trip to Gaza is in order for Kevin O'Brien
Kevin O'Brien's venomous propaganda is not befitting of The Plain Dealer.

• Will Cleveland ever beat Pittsburgh?
First, The Plain Dealer prints articles outlining the dynamic turnaround in the economy of Pittsburgh. Then, the Browns lose their eighth straight game to the Steelers, and top choice Bill Cowher puts a stop to any talk of his returning to Cleveland to coach the Browns. Finally, the purchase of National City Bank by PNC Financial Services is completed.

• Kevin O'Brien is right about Hamas' aggression toward Israel
I am 16 years old, and because of my birthplace, Israel, I am bombarded with questions about Israel and her policies. I would like to thank Kevin O'Brien for writing "Hamas is wrong, dead wrong" (Thursday). Finally, someone understands Israel's plight and doesn't just side with the Palestinian "victims." I hope this piece can be used to answer the judgmental questions Americans have asked and end some of the animosity that many people harbor toward Israel and her defensive policies.

• Who's the warmonger - Israel or Hamas?
The Plain Dealer's Dec. 30 news report of Israel's bombardment of Gaza con tradicts its own Dec. 30 editorial on the subject, "Hamas provokes, Israel retaliates." The news report says the June 2008 truce was broken in November "after Israeli incursion." Does that not mean that Israel, not Hamas, broke the truce?

• GMAC, General Motors credit offer to consumers just doesn't add up
After receiving a $5 billion bailout from the Treasury Department, GMAC and General Motors began offering zero percent financing on select vehicles to borrowers. They also are reducing their credit requirements from a 700 score minimum to 621, one point above subprime. This is all in exchange for the government receiving an 8 percent dividend and preferred equity in GMAC.

• Caroline Kennedy isn't fit to serve in the U.S. Senate
I read with interest Tuesday's article, "Caroline Kennedy fails to dazzle in interviews." For someone who aspires to the U.S. Senate, her comments in all of her recent interviews have been vague and unimpressive and punctuated with "ya know" and "ah" and "um." She makes Sarah Palin sound like a Rhodes Scholar.

• Lack of nurturing, rather than TV, is real obstacle to toddler development
Tuesday's article, "Keep that tube out of sight of babies and toddlers, experts warn," has prompted me to wonder if the culprit is TV or whether the harm comes from what the infants and toddlers are missing out on while they spend time watching: the touch and eye contact of a devoted care provider.

• Yankees are swimming in cash; maybe they'll be open to a loan
Did anyone involved with the recent bailouts, National City Bank, the Big Three -- the list goes on -- consider contacting the Steinbrenner family for help? The Yankees went on a $424 million off-season spending spree to pay for a bunch of guys to play a kid's game.

• Farewell to Feagler
We will miss Dick Feagler. If we skipped one of his columns, our day was less bright. We treasure his perspective, wisdom, common sense and values -- even if perhaps we occasionally disagree. He really is a wordsmith.

• Keep politics, the pulpit seperate

• Paying the National City poachers

• Sharing blame for med mart debacle
Does anyone else find it odd that not a single medical device company is clamoring for the pace of the medical mart project to accelerate? Shouldn't the supposed benefactors of the project have the most to gain by its rapid completion? And what happened to the committee formed 17 months ago to identify these potential medical mart tenants?

• Put bailout dollars directly in Americans' pockets
Over the past year, our fiscal leaders have spent, loaned or committed to a vast amount of our money - some $3.5 trillion. The Obama transition team is planning a stimulus package on the order of $700 billion. Let's add all this up.

• TV digital converter boxes leave viewers wanting more
After I connected my digital converter box to my TV, I found out that as of February I will only get half of the six TV stations that I have watched for the last 38 years - and I am angry with Congress for causing this.

• Pull our troops and dollars out of Iraq and Afghanistan
Bring our troops home from Iraq and Afghanistan. We are funneling a billion dollars a month to a country that will never have a unified government, be it today or 10 years from now. Sen. Joe Biden was correct in suggesting that the different Iraqi factions have their own territories. We owe it to our citizens to jump-start our economy and use those billions here at home.

• Amtrak funding is like a runaway train
Iapplaud the Dec. 22 Washington Post editorial "Invest in mass transit." However, a portion of our mass transit is already a boondoggle. I speak of Amtrak.

• Have your say
CityMusic Cleveland deserved inclusion in Plain Dealer's list of 2008 classical music highlights.

• Proposed port site would block lakefront access
Regarding Michael Wager's Dec. 21 Forum article "Relocate port, reinvent lakefront":

• U.S. aids in oppression of Afghani women
Regarding the article "Afghani allies won with a little blue pill" (Sunday):

• Browns owner Randy Lerner rewards bad job performance
Randy Lerner does not have a clue about how to run a successful football franchise. After the 2007 season, he gave Phil Savage, Romeo Crennel and Rod Chudzinski contract extensions worth tens of millions of dollars for doing what? Basically nothing. They won more games than they lost that year, which is what they were hired to do in the first place, and it only took them three years to do it. Then they "built" on this "success" by winning only four games this year.

• The sad reality of investing today
It is with great disappointment that I realize that the future tense of "invest" is "investigation."

• Cleveland should back the winning CSU Vikings instead of the losing Browns
Cleveland needs to get behind the Cleveland State University basketball team! We took our two young boys to the Kent State game recently. It was entertaining basketball in a fun, family-friendly atmosphere. The CSU pep band provided a great backdrop in an intimate atmosphere.

• Holiday season was bleak for greedy retailers; they had it coming
It's official: This was a rotten holiday season for retailers. They have no one to blame but themselves. They have been gouging us for far too long, charging exorbitant interest rates on their own credit cards. How do you save money on sale items with credit card rates of 21 percent to 29 percent?

• A Losers Bowl would suit the Browns just fine
Ithink the NFL has overlooked a great opportunity to start a new bowl. They already have the Super Bowl for the best in the league. How about a Losers Bowl? You know -- the worst teams playing the worst teams.

• Israel's brutal response is unjustified
Once again, American taxpayers bankroll murder bordering on genocide as Israel attacks Gaza. I do not condone or support Palestinian rocket attacks against Israel. Those deeds constitute war crimes.

• Hamas is solely responsible for Israel's attacks on Gaza
The current tragedy in Gaza is a direct result of the hatred and cowardice of Hamas. Not satisfied with total control of Gaza, the group continued to fire rockets at civilian targets in Israel on a daily basis. Would George Bush have allowed terrorists to fire rockets from Mexico into El Paso, Texas, more than once without a military response? Would any other country be expected to allow terrorists to fire mortars and rockets at will at its citizens?

• FirstEnergy wants to stick it to its customers again
In the now contentious sparring between FirstEnergy and the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio over re-regulation of generation rates, do not forget that years ago PUCO allowed the full recovery of costs for a grossly inflated nuclear construction program under so-called rate stabilization plans. The new fight is FirstEnergy's way of thanking its customers for bailing it out.

• President-elect Barack Obama comes from shady political beginnings
So, let's see. Our president-elect, the honorable Sen. Barack Obama, comes from, and in fact is a product of, the most corrupt, treacherous, nefarious and criminal political machine in America. In response to these "credentials," we are supposed to have confidence that he'll get the job done, and America will soon be "saved" from the evils of George Bush.

• Tactless display of extravagance for Obama's inauguration
Iwas appalled upon hearing that Hollywoodites and the powerful rich are spending $50,000-plus on front-row seats and extravagant parties for President-elect Barack Obama's inauguration. Flaunting this obscene wealth is insensitive. With the economic downturn, you would think the festivities would be somewhat restrained.

• Bush administration's tall tales on Iraq are detailed in report
As the war in Iraq dragged on, critics of President Bush asked when Iraqi troops would ever take responsibility for their own country's welfare. Over and over, we were told by the Bush administration that there was an ever-increasing number of Iraqis ready to assume that role. Now we find in a draft report by the special inspector general for Iraq reconstruction -- "Hard Lessons: The Iraq Reconstruction Experience" -- that the Pentagon was simply making up numbers to cover its failure. Former Secretary of State Colin Powell; Lt. Gen. Ricardo Sanchez, who commanded ground troops in Iraq; and former top civilian administrator in Iraq Paul Bremer have admitted to the numbers of Iraqis who were ready to participate as being vastly inflated.

• Cleveland's true dilemma isn't a threat of extinction
Mayor Frank Jackson has stated that his goal is to ensure that Cleveland survives. Cities don't need any special effort to survive, as that merely refers to their continued existence. Government leaders need to help our city thrive, not just survive.

• Cuyahoga County is devoid of leadership
In response to "Silence, secrecy surround med mart," the headline that greeted Clevelanders the day after Christmas:

• With his reputation restored, here's hoping for a Jim Petro political resurrection
On April 4, 2006, The Plain Dealer published my letter in which I criti cized your editors for repeatedly running articles that contained vicious, ridiculous, unsubstantiated accusations of ethical misconduct from political enemies of Jim Petro, one of whom now faces formal corruption charges.

• Change rules that give Congress and the president unfair privileges
Recession. What recession? We all have to sacrifice and make difficult choices. So why did members of Congress just authorize their "automatic" pay raise of $4,700, which totals approximately $2.5 million? Shouldn't they lead by example?

• Risks of transplant anti-rejection drugs are overstated
Harlan Spector, in writing about re search to transplant facial tissue (Plain Dealer, Monday) without the need for anti-rejection drugs, has used the phrase "drugs that dangerously suppress the immune system." Dangerously?

• A tutorial on what global warming really means
In response to all of the statements I have heard in the past week that have insinuated that global warming would be nice around this time or year, to help warm us up as the cold winter weather hits, I would just like to point out that global warming does not create warm weather!

• Iraqis suffered more under Saddam Hussein's rule
In response to Nancy Oakley's letter of Dec. 19, "President Bush, get a clue":

• Engineer lacks expertise to report on credit crisis
William O'Gorman's letter to the editor Monday, "Data show there is no credit crisis," would probably suffer a credibility crisis of its own were readers aware that the Celent report he cites is published by a financial services consultant headed by Octavio Marenzi, the report's author. Marenzi is a former IT planning manager for UBS (a Swiss bank fronted in the United States by former Republican Sen. Phil Gramm), and his educational background includes bachelor's and master's degrees in mechanical engineering.

• Nothing improper with Polensek's home purchase
In almost 31 years of public office, I have tried my utmost to serve my con stituents and conduct myself according to the charter of the city of Cleveland. I have never been accused of any misconduct or wrongdoing. That is why the Sunday story headlined, "Polensek got help to buy house," and written by Henry Gomez and Mark Gillespie, did a great disservice to me, my family and my community.

• Already nostalgic for Dick Feagler's column
Many years from now, when, as an old man, I'll tell anyone who will listen how much better life was when I was younger, Dick Feagler's column will be one of my examples!

• Ohioans should consider organ donation; it saves lives
My friend Bill came home recently after eight weeks in a hospital and then a rehab facility. He entered the hospital after his diseased liver took a turn for the worse. His liver continued to go downhill in the hospital. Soon his kidneys stopped functioning, and later he needed a machine to do his breathing for him. The hospital staff did everything they could, but he needed a liver transplant.

• Sailor heading home for the holidays witnesses the best of Cleveland
On Dec. 19, my 18-year-old son was stranded at the Milwaukee airport during the snowstorm while trying to make his way home on Christmas leave. He is a sailor and is stationed in Great Lakes, Ill. After the airport finally reopened, he was able to fly to Cleveland, where his connecting flight had already left. He found out that he would not be able to leave until Sunday. He then realized that his debit card would not work, so he had no cash for a taxi to the bus station.

• Plain Dealer promotes smoking in 'cool' Obama cartoon
Jeff Darcy's cartoon Friday makes for good comme tary, as usual. Most unfortunately, though, the drawing has a serious unintended consequence. His placing of a cigarette in the hands of the "cool" Presi dent-elect Barack Obama conveys a large message to the viewers that should be very much against Plain Dealer editorial policy.

• Remembering beloved Cleveland disc jockey Bill Gordon
I was saddened to read that legendary Bill Gordon had died, though thinking of him brought back memories of a simpler time.

• Cleveland.com report displayed a significant lapse in journalistic principles
On Dec. 15, Cleveland.com, in con junction with The Plain Dealer, re ported that one person had been shot and others were being held hostage at Notre Dame College. Cleveland.com retracted the story when editors learned that the events were part of a training exercise.

• American automakers find it hard to please fickle buyers
Americans should be relieved that the auto companies are receiving loans in an effort to save this crucial industry, which has been eroding for decades. The loan is roughly equivalent to one month's spending in Iraq.

• Invest stimulus funds in shoring up aging water, sewer systems
With all the talk about a stimulus bill, I have not heard mention of one of the most pressing needs for our country. We need to rebuild the infrastructure of our older water and sewer systems, which are failing on a regular basis. Note the recent break at East 40th Street and Hamilton Avenue of a 100-plus-year-old pipe.

• All-inclusive Social Security
Michael Messner's piece in Wednesday's Opinion section lauds our Social Security system and suggests that it should be taking more of our money. I would take that one step further. It's time for Congress, and all public employees, to participate in Social Security. Our tax dollars currently fund public employee retirement plans.

• Data show there is no credit crisis
There is a common misconception portrayed by the U.S. government and the media alike that has the American public in a panic.

• Guns and kids don't mix
My heart goes out to the family of the 8-year-old boy accidentally shot by his 11-year-old brother (Plain Dealer, Dec. 13). But I was troubled by the grandfather's statement that "kids are gonna be kids," as if we could simply dismiss this senseless tragedy as a random act of child's play.

• Debating Ohio film tax credits - letters to the editor
Three cheers for Gov. Ted Strickland's column Tuesday about credits for the film industry. I have been in position to look at the impact of credits provided by countries for films produced in their jurisdictions. Abuses have been rampant, with credits being claimed based on nonrecourse financing and those claiming the credits not reducing their taxes paid for purposes of claiming them on their other state and federal returns.

• There's no justification for soldier going AWOL
I found the recent letter regarding the "conscientious deserter" to be rather ap palling and, quite frankly, disgusting. Coming from a family of several generations of veterans, including me, how can anyone justify the idea that an AWOL soldier is doing the right thing?

• President Bush, get a clue
Could President Bush be any more clueless? An Iraqi man throws a shoe at him, a gesture of contempt, and Bush says he doesn't know "what his beef is."

• They have no shame; that's the problem
In response to John Meredyk's letter Monday, titled "Moms used to get mileage with shame":

• Wages of dishwashing sin
Joanna Connors left out one important element of dishwasher etiquette in her article Dec. 11. According to my Dishwasher Nazi spouse, it is essential that the dishwasher door be meticulously wiped after loading.

• Gay, lesbian community is grateful for Dick Feagler's support
It was with sadness that I read Dick Feagler's announcement that he is ending his column. He has been a strong advocate for the gay and lesbian community. Several years ago, he received our first annual community award. We are grateful for his support and wish him much health and happiness in the future.

• Ohio's election reform' bill is rife with problems
Iam so glad Ohio legislators rushed a voting reform bill through to "fix" problems that did not exist, such as the inability of observers to be able to greet poll workers. Compared to the 2004 and 2006 elections, this one was pretty reliable. Yes, there were lawsuits, but this bill does not address the unclear language cited by the Ohio Supreme Court and actually creates more issues for lawyers to go to court to challenge. Only 13,000 people took advantage of golden week, and no one (even supporters of Senate Bill 380) made any allegations of voter fraud because of golden week.

• Officer's failure to inspect towed vehicle is inexcusable
Iwas dumbfounded by Tuesday's report about the body of a man left inside a vehicle that was towed to an impound lot. Not only did the police officer violate department policy regarding inspecting the inside and listing the contents of any towed vehicle, he also violated basic common sense: Where there is a moving vehicle, there is a driver. Where there is an accident severe enough to disable a car, chances are there is a driver who may have been injured.

• Rumsfeld's shameful legacy of torture
After a two-year investigation by a bi partisan Senate committee, a report has been issued by Sens. Carl Levin and John McCain that accuses Donald Rumsfeld and his accomplices of the abuse of prisoners in Afghanistan, Iraq and Guantanamo.

• Congress should take a pay cut
The latest wage figures I could find say that in 2006, U.S. Senate salaries were $165,200 (leaders earned $180,100). I looked but could not find information about the health benefits for senators.

• Congress should take a pay cut
The latest wage figures I could find say that in 2006, U.S. Senate salaries were $165,200 (leaders earned $180,100). I looked but could not find information about the health benefits for senators.

• Obama's truth squad?
In Saturday's Plain Dealer, on page A3, was an article regarding Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich.

• Obama's truth squad?
In Saturday's Plain Dealer, on page A3, was an article regarding Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich.

• Plain Dealer headline was a flippant treatment of President Bush attack
Ifail to see the humor in the headline that accompanied Monday's front-page photo of the shoe assault on President Bush by an Iraqi reporter ("Missed him by that much"). Like George W. Bush or not, he is our country's leader, and the seriousness of such an attack should not be downplayed by casual references to TV pop-culture catch phrases (I assume it was a lame reference to "Get Smart").

• Plain Dealer headline was a flippant treatment of President Bush attack
I fail to see the humor in the headline that accompanied Monday's front-page photo of the shoe assault on President Bush by an Iraqi reporter ("Missed him by that much"). Like George W. Bush or not, he is our country's leader, and the seriousness of such an attack should not be downplayed by casual references to TV pop-culture catch phrases (I assume it was a lame reference to "Get Smart").

• Judge takes law lesson too far
Jeers to Cuyahoga County Juvenile Court Judge Thomas F. O'Malley for transforming the flirtatious behavior of several area teenagers into a contrived legal precedent (Plain Dealer, Thursday). O'Malley was on target in suspending felony charges but firmly advising the minors and their parents that exchanging provocative photos by cell phone could be defined as an obscenity. But his order for counseling, an assessment of cases considered sex offenses, suggesting that entire families could be registered as sex offenders and a community-service project involving at least 200 other teens trumps common sense.

• Judge takes law lesson too far
Jeers to Cuyahoga County Juvenile Court Judge Thomas F. O?Malley for transforming the flirtatious behavior of several area teenagers into a contrived legal precedent (Plain Dealer, Thursday).

• Cleveland's AWOL soldier is a conscientious deserter
Iwish the AWOL Cleveland soldier well in his test of asylum based on the Iraq war being "illegal, internationally condemned and shown to be founded on a series of lies" (Plain Dealer, Dec. 2). His contentions can hardly be refuted.

• Cleveland's AWOL soldier is a conscientious deserter
I wish the AWOL Cleveland soldier well in his test of asylum based on the Iraq war being "illegal, internationally condemned and shown to be founded on a series of lies" (Plain Dealer, Dec. 2). His contentions can hardly be refuted.

• Bush administration engages in last-minute, lame-duck shenanigans
In its waning weeks, one could reasona bly conclude that, given the multitude of damaging foreign and domestic policies it has inflicted upon the nation, the Bush administration might be content to go softly into that good night.

• Bush administration engages in last-minute, lame-duck shenanigans
In its waning weeks, one could reasonably conclude that, given the multitude of damaging foreign and domestic policies it has inflicted upon the nation, the Bush administration might be content to go softly into that good night.

• Moms used to get mileage with shame; now it seems people have none
Many years ago, Mom taught me about shame. One of the most hurt ful things she could say to me was, "Shame on you!"

• Moms used to get mileage with shame; now it seems people have none
Many years ago, Mom taught me about shame. One of the most hurtful things she could say to me was, "Shame on you!"

• Don Szczepanski wasn't just a mailman, he was an exceptional human being
Regina Brett's column Wednesday about Don Szczepanski - a.k.a., Don the Mailman - was truly touching. Don manifested the best things in humanity and the majesty of the human spirit. In his own small way, he truly affected the lives of so many people. It is so sad to see a man of this caliber taken from us.

• Don Szczepanski wasn't just a mailman, he was an exceptional human being
Regina Brett's column Wednesday about Don Szczepanski - a.k.a., Don the Mailman - was truly touching. Don manifested the best things in humanity and the majesty of the human spirit. In his own small way, he truly affected the lives of so many people. It is so sad to see a man of this caliber taken from us.

• Ayers account rewrites history
In response to "Bill Ayers corrects the record" (Opinion, Tuesday):

• Ayers account rewrites history
In response to "Bill Ayers corrects the record" (Opinion, Tuesday):

• Half the frustration is getting there
The Plain Dealer reported Tues day that Americans are riding public transit at record levels - but not in Cleveland. Such news did not surprise me. In times of rising fuel costs, you could understand that the Regional Transit Authority would maintain a high level of service for people who depend on it by raising fares. But, no. The RTA's solution for this crisis was to cut service and raise fares.

• Half the frustration is getting there
The Plain Dealer reported Tuesday that Americans are riding public transit at record levels - but not in Cleveland. Such news did not surprise me. In times of rising fuel costs, you could understand that the Regional Transit Authority would maintain a high level of service for people who depend on it by raising fares. But, no. The RTA's solution for this crisis was to cut service and raise fares.

• Listen up, local governments: The people speak
Wednesday's editorial "Bend the rule on residency" barely touched the real purpose of Cleveland's residency law regarding city employees (especially police officers and firefighters) having to live in the city. The only real purpose of this requirement is political.

• Listen up, local governments: The people speak
Wednesday's editorial "Bend the rule on residency" barely touched the real purpose of Cleveland's residency law regarding city employees (especially police officers and firefighters) having to live in the city. The only real purpose of this requirement is political.

• Traffic cameras shouldn't replace police officers
Now that a federal court has ac cepted red-light and speed cameras, I have the same questions I had when the Ohio Supreme Court approved them unanimously, saying that as long as Ohio criminal traffic laws remain in effect to be used when police observe traffic violations and issue a ticket, the no-crime, no-points, civil, send-a-check camera approach for the same violations without police is a lawful supplement.

• Traffic cameras shouldn't replace police officers
Now that a federal court has ac cepted red-light and speed cameras, I have the same questions I had when the Ohio Supreme Court approved them unanimously, saying that as long as Ohio criminal traffic laws remain in effect to be used when police observe traffic violations and issue a ticket, the no-crime, no-points, civil, send-a-check camera approach for the same violations without police is a lawful supplement.

• Ohio needs thoughtful, bipartisan election reform
As last Sunday's editorial noted, the Ohio legislature is hastily completing hodgepodge lame-duck election legislation (SB 380) that will make voting more difficult and contentious. Public input is thwarted because the proposed legislation changes substantially day by day.

• Ohio needs thoughtful, bipartisan election reform
As last Sunday's editorial noted, the Ohio legislature is hastily completing hodgepodge lame-duck election legislation (SB 380) that will make voting more difficult and contentious. Public input is thwarted because the proposed legislation changes substantially day by day.

• Get real; taxes are rarely repealed or rolled back
In response to Zachary Burkons' Dec. 5 letter to the editor suggesting that we add a 20-cent surcharge tax to gasoline, I have a few ideas. First, does Burkons know that we pay about 44 cents, on average, in taxes on gasoline already? This is also supposed to go for roads, and that is a lot. Where has this money gone?

• Get real; taxes are rarely repealed or rolled back
In response to Zachary Burkons' Dec. 5 letter to the editor suggesting that we add a 20-cent surcharge tax to gasoline, I have a few ideas. First, does Burkons know that we pay about 44 cents, on average, in taxes on gasoline already? This is also supposed to go for roads, and that is a lot. Where has this money gone?

• A lot of ink for a nonstory about alleged medical billing fraud
The Plain Dealer article Monday about Ted Parran was irresponsible ("CWRU doctor probed in possible billing fraud"). After 25 paragraphs insinuating or alleging criminal or fraudulent activity in great detail, the last paragraph quotes the federal investigators and reads as follows: "There has been no determination as to whether or not Dr. Parran will be charged with even an administrative infraction, much less a criminal violation."

• A lot of ink for a nonstory about alleged medical billing fraud
The Plain Dealer article Monday about Ted Parran was irresponsible ("CWRU doctor probed in possible billing fraud"). After 25 paragraphs insinuating or alleging criminal or fraudulent activity in great detail, the last paragraph quotes the federal investigators and reads as follows: "There has been no determination as to whether or not Dr. Parran will be charged with even an administrative infraction, much less a criminal violation."

• Appreciating Elizabeth Sullivan's insight into world affairs
Thank you for publishing the beautiful wedding-day picture of Elizabeth Sul livan's parents, upon the death of her mother, Mary Sullivan.

• Appreciating Elizabeth Sullivan's insight into world affairs
Thank you for publishing the beautiful wedding-day picture of Elizabeth Sul livan's parents, upon the death of her mother, Mary Sullivan.

• Jeered state representatives simply wanted a better film bill
Last Friday's "jeer" to state Reps. Arm ond Budish, Tim Degeeter, Eugene Miller and Michael Skindell for voting against the film tax-credit bill was inappropriate. These representatives were dissatisfied with a bill that wasn't thoughtfully written and could give tax breaks without the intended production of jobs, as has been seen in other cities. They wanted to draw up a more carefully crafted bill that would deliver on much-needed local employment.

• Jeered state representatives simply wanted a better film bill
Last Friday's "jeer" to state Reps. Arm ond Budish, Tim Degeeter, Eugene Miller and Michael Skindell for voting against the film tax-credit bill was inappropriate. These representatives were dissatisfied with a bill that wasn't thoughtfully written and could give tax breaks without the intended production of jobs, as has been seen in other cities. They wanted to draw up a more carefully crafted bill that would deliver on much-needed local employment.

• Story misstated pastor's position on Cleveland's domestic partner registry
Ifeel the need to respond publicly to the claim that I in any way sought to influ ence the vote of a Cleveland city councilman on the issue of the recently passed domestic partner registry. As I have said to that council member, Zack Reed, and to the reporter who wrote the story Tuesday that carried the allegation, I never at any time attempted to lobby him concerning his vote.

• Story misstated pastor's position on Cleveland's domestic partner registry
I feel the need to respond publicly to the claim that I in any way sought to influence the vote of a Cleveland city councilman on the issue of the recently passed domestic partner registry. As I have said to that council member, Zack Reed, and to the reporter who wrote the story Tuesday that carried the allegation, I never at any time attempted to lobby him concerning his vote.

• Ohio needs casinos to close its budget gap
Gov. Ted Strickland says a federal bail out isn't enough to fix Ohio's budget deficit. Amazingly, Pennsylvania isn't in such dire straits.

• Ohio needs casinos to close its budget gap
Gov. Ted Strickland says a federal bail out isn't enough to fix Ohio's budget deficit. Amazingly, Pennsylvania isn't in such dire straits.

• Taking sides on an Ohio booster-seat law
How much longer will the Ohio Sen ate allow the children of this state to suffer? A bill that will reduce injuries and save the lives of children ages 4 through 8 - the booster-seat legislation - has been held up in the Senate's Highways and Transportation Committee.

• Taking sides on an Ohio booster-seat law
How much longer will the Ohio Sen ate allow the children of this state to suffer? A bill that will reduce injuries and save the lives of children ages 4 through 8 - the booster-seat legislation - has been held up in the Senate's Highways and Transportation Committee.

• Recognizing the loss of Kent W. Clapp and his contribution to Medical Mutual
Most people won't remember the in surance wars of the 1980s here in Cleveland. But I remember when Medical Mutual lost "The Blues" - when we were deserted by Blue Cross & Blue Shield. Kent W. Clapp, the late CEO of Medical Mutual, found a way to keep jobs in Cleveland and make his company thrive as it had during the good times.

• Recognizing the loss of Kent W. Clapp and his contribution to Medical Mutual
Most people won't remember the in surance wars of the 1980s here in Cleveland. But I remember when Medical Mutual lost "The Blues" - when we were deserted by Blue Cross & Blue Shield. Kent W. Clapp, the late CEO of Medical Mutual, found a way to keep jobs in Cleveland and make his company thrive as it had during the good times.

• Big Three can't be allowed to fail; economic impact would be devastating
Many years ago, as a young account ant, I walked into my company controller's office and found him loading stacks of cash into suitcases. Had I caught him about to abscond with bags of the company's money? No.

• Cleveland should have a heart, grant firefighter's residency request
Regarding "City denies reservist's request" (Saturday):

• Millions may be excluded from official jobless numbers
Now that we know the recession really started a year ago, can we get the true number of people without jobs? The Labor Department more or less ignores the unemployed once they stop receiving their 26 weeks of benefits.

• No more bailouts for mismanagement companies
Our government has finally announced it: We are formally in a "re cession," and we have been in one since December 2007. What crack financial analysts - using the word "crack" loosely!