Thank God for Jim Traficant

Thank God for Jim Traficant

How does one of your writ- er’s who said he did not read Congressman Jim Traficant’s book, “America’s Last Minuteman,” know what was in it?

Congressman Jim Traficant is a true patriot and a statesman, not like most of the present congressmen and senators who have been bought by the Koch brothers and others. They are only interested in themselves and not the people or our country.

While he was sheriff he defended himself and beat the federal government’s claim that he took money from the Mafia during his race for office. The 2002 trial was a joke. Starting with the judge who should have recused herself.

While Congressman Jim Traficant was in office he warned of China’s trade policies. He has said “bring the troops home and put them around our borders”. Don’t you agree that might stop the drugs from coming into our country? Wouldn’t that stop illegals from crossing into our country? Maybe the Twin Towers would still be standing.

One of your writers should thank God every day for Congressman Jim Traficant.

Lee Elizabeth McHugh, Canfield

Money trumps good intentions

The Sept. 11 editorial, “Good intentions alone won’t restart RG Steel,” was right. It is not good intentions alone that can restart this new steel company. In 1979 the old steel company installed continuos casting equipment. At the time it was already 25 years behind what had been done in Europe and Asia. Being 25 years behind at that time, how far behind do you think steel production in steel companies are at this time?

Do not fault the employees who were operating the steel mill under RG Group. American workers are the best that there is. What is lacking is a modern steel mil.

You quote Mr. C. J. Betters at the conclusion of the editorial: “ We’re going to need some luck, support from labor and management” ( and help from the state. )

What is really needed is $3 to $5 million to make that steel mill what it should have been over time. However, former owners took the cash and ran. Upgrading equipment was not in the cards. What we have here is an outdated steel mill. It is money that can bring it back. Low cost loans (stimulus ) from the government. It is a huge task, but it can be done. There is still a blast furnace for making iron.

Leonard J. Sainato, Warren

Don’t stifle voting opportunities

As a state senator, I have long supported efforts to expand the opportunity for Ohioans to vote because it is one of our most fundamental rights.

Our previous secretary of state, along with many county officials, promoted early voting opportunities that included evenings and weekends. This idea has been successful, taking Ohio away from the confusion and long lines of 2004. In 2008, about 535,000 Ohioans voted early at local boards of elections. In a state that often narrowly decides who is elected president that is a very significant number.

Unfortunately, Secretary of State Jon Husted eliminated weekend voting hours for this presidential election. Husted claims he has established uniformity. But, his actions will limit early voting opportunities for working men and women and minorities—the voters mostly likely to vote early and in person.

I applaud our Mahoning County commissioners for taking a stance against Secretary Husted and join them in demanding that weekend voting be reinstated in Mahoning County and across Ohio.

State Sen. Joe Schiavoni, Boardman

Progress can be a job killer

Wake up, America, It’s not the president’s fault there are no jobs. It has to do with the invention of the computer and other technical devices.

A lot of factories closed because they couldn’t keep up the ones that were run by some type of computer.

When is the last time you made a phone call to a business that wasn’t answered by a computer: “push 1, push 2, etc.”? A lost job.

What about when you went to the gas station and a nice young man came out, pumped your gas, checked your oil, washed your windshield? Now it’s all do it yourself: even paying for your gas. Lost job.

If you travel the turnpike, remember when a nice person handed you your ticket and you could ask what exit to get off? Lost job.

The invention of the computer affected the postal service, newspapers. Now we have the “Kindle.” It will affect libraries and book stores.

Even the banks don’t need as many tellers since we have debit cards and automatic payments and deposits. Pretty soon we won’t need paper money.

Technologies are even taking over the schools. Children no longer get books. They receive Ipad or laptops. The school rooms have “Smart Boards.” The teachers also have some type of laptop to watch everything and help each student.

I don’t blame the “president.” The world is moving “forward.”

Alice Dyce, Youngstown