Who needs maternity care?

Who needs maternity care?

EDITOR:

Let’s get this straight now. I am male, with two grown children. I read today in Ellen Goodman’s Oct. 3 column a quotation by Arizona Sen. Jon Kyl, “I don’t need maternity care,” while arguing against mandating maternity benefits as a part of basic insurance coverage. Of all the nauseatingly and grossly stupid statements to make.

Obviously it is perfectly OK in the eyes of Kyl and his conservative colleagues to run up massive “off the books” deficits legally killing people over the last six years, but it is an absolute no-no to do anything to help people and save lives by giving them decent health care.

JEROME K. STEPHENS

Warren

Stop the gambling migration

EDITOR:

After years of traveling with thousands of Ohioans to out of state casinos to gamble, Ohioans will have the choice to have their own casinos by voting yes on Issue 3 in the Nov. 3 election.

Ohioans do not spend their money only gambling, but also in restaurants, shopping, taking taxis, entertainment, and going to sporting events.

I find it strange that those who believe gambling and casinos destroy lives don’t feel that liquor stores and taverns that sell alcohol to people who drink too much, or restaurants and grocery stores that sell food to people who are killing themselves by overeating and shopaholics who face financial ruin by their lack of control and common sense is simply OK.

If Issue 3 does not pass it will be Ohio’s loss and other states’ gain. Ohioans will continue to cheat themselves of a better economy.

Growing up I’ve often heard my grandparents and other older people say, “money can make a person a king or a pauper.” They knew the choices they made in managing their money could bring them rewards or consequences.

It’s time for Ohioans to wake up and smell the coffee, and it’s time for that coffee to be bought in Ohio casinos. I strongly urge all Ohioans to vote yes on Issue 3. “It’s time to let your dough help your state grow.”

MARY LOU JURINA

Youngstown

Issue 3 is a flawed proposal

EDITOR:

The quote by Dan Gilbert, the force behind Issue 3 and casino gambling in Ohio, says it all: “But you can’t go back and change it.” This constitutional amendment is a bad option whether you support or despise gambling.

It is very critical that those voters who are eager to bring Las Vegas-style casinos to the state consider how passage of this issue will hobble any attempt to modify, expand or even terminate the structure it puts in place. It is very troublesome to me that by amending our state constitution, the bedrock upon which our state governance is based, we will severely restrict our ability to respond to changing needs and interests in the future.

Putting aside all other arguments for or against: Issue 3 is an unwise way to allow casino gambling in Ohio. No amount of money or promise of jobs is worth the risk inherent in amending the state constitution in favor of a very limited — and limiting — plan when you realize that you “... can’t go back and change it.” I sincerely hope Ohio voters will overwhelmingly vote no on Issue 3.

TIM WAGNER

Youngstown