Editorials

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President Trump's impeachment cost $43,520,000, started by an unverified dossier. Mueller's investigation was $32,000,000 plus $11,520,000 spent in committee hearings, Judiciary Committee, Rules Committee and in the House indictment. Add Senate trial time. These hard-earned tax dollars could have been spent more wisely. Hours wasted by Congress were lost opportunities to solve real problems.

-- Canfield

Before Donald Trump coined the phrase, "fake news," the media reported the news. Today any allegation can get its two minutes on 24/7 national news. Allegation is a claim or assertion that someone has done something illegal or wrong, typically made without proof. Every day they assemble a panel of pundits to discuss the hot topic of the day to boost ratings and generate revenue. A pundit shouted, "Won't it be great having a far-right capitalist running against a far-left socialist in the fall?" Good for whom?

-- Hubbard

The news media is scaring everyone with the coronavirus. Fact is, for the winter of 2018-2019 worldwide there were an estimated 35.5 million who had the flu. The death toll was 34,200. Each year this occurs so this is nothing to get so upset about.

-- Girard

Why would anyone from a township vote for Barry Profato for state representative? He's the sponsor of the ordinance for Niles to annex adjacent townships.

-- Vienna

Taxpayers who dislike school voucher programs need to look no further than the Republican Party that has been expanding Ohio's voucher program since George Voinovich was in office. Don't vote Republican then complain about vouchers. And the Tribune Chronicle should not print editorials about saving public schools, then support and help elect people responsible for vouchers.

-- Howland

Letters to the Editor

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Many might wonder how we've become so divided and how do we fix it. The loss of manufacturing jobs and millions of others nationwide with job recovery that's not wage recovery can leave scars. This can lead to suspicions of others. Those politicians and broadcast personalities making millions increase these fears. Don't believe those who lie. Use common sense, believe your eyes, don't trust those who disparage others, including their own.

-- Campbell

On MSNBC recently, Mitt Romney was honored for standing up to President Trump. In 2012 the Dems and media pundits called Romney vile names. Now he is a national hero. I don't know who is the bigger phoney: Democrats, national media or Romney.

-- Girard

No person with a conscience or ethics can support a candidate affiliated with either major political party. One party condones and supports murder and perversion. The other party condones theft by deception through reprehensible business dealings in which all business transactions involve swindles by robber- baron fat cats treating customers of goods and services as victims and "losers" whose losses result in the "winners'' profits.

-- Mineral Ridge

Corporations are Demo-crat tax targets. Who pays corporation taxes? Taxes are a cost. Costs are in the product price. It's Economics 101. My uncle told me years ago, "Everything goes into the cost of bananas." Businesses might increase their product's price, cut profits, dividends or investment growth. They might also cut production costs by reducing the number of employees and new hires. Democrats say tax increases benefit citizens. Taxes tend to benefit D.C. big spenders.

-- Canfield

The New York Times reports Russia again is trying to get Donald Trump re-elected, and Trump is furious that the word got out. Trump proclaimed himself chief law enforcement officer of the country, and then he pardoned several criminals and likely will pardon Roger Stone who helped Russia and WikiLeaks release Hillary Clinton's e-mails. Vladimir Putin owns Trump. If congressional Republicans don't condemn this, they are complicit in this attempted overthrow of our democracy.

-- Girard

What an unhappy life these anti-Trump people must live. I disliked Barack Obama from the start; however, when he was elected, I accepted it. When he was re-elected, I knew in four years he'd be gone, and I found solace in that. That's called being civil. Democrats are so full of hate they have convinced themselves that constant whining will improve their lives. I can't wait until Don Jr. or Ivanka follow in dad's footsteps. Life is beautiful.

-- Youngstown

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"Sound off!" publishes Saturdays to provide readers with a forum to applaud successes, discuss issues, point out local problems or review events of the day -- all in a constructive manner. Preference is given to local issues, but will not include election issues. Selected "Sound off!" submissions are published. Names are not included, but residential community is.

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Letters to the Editor

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A recent story about Youngstown Drug Court said all 35-plus received free Narcan. Sometimes it takes three or four more Narcan kits to save an addict. It gets costly. We know there is no such thing as a "free lunch." These freebies are provided and paid for by the taxpayers. Maybe people receiving "free" lifesaving Narcan should say "thank you taxpayers."

-- Youngstown

Mahoning County voters need to remember the sentencing records of our judges. Those with the middle names of "Probation" and "Suspended Sentence" need to be voted out.

-- Struthers

I love our libraries, but I am puzzled about the library taxing error. Why are the parcels in the nine taxing districts in Mahoning County exempted from paying the library tax? I'm guessing that some people living in those parcels use the Mahoning County libraries, so why should they not have to pay the library tax like the rest of us? How does the school district factor in this? Could someone explain this so the average citizen can understand this?

-- New Middletown

Tim Ryan and Nancy Pelosi did not disrespect the Oval Office. They disrespected the rude and arrogant current occupant. Trump admires "strong leaders," such as dictators Putin and Kim. Appreciate what we have and vote to keep it before it's too late. If you need more convincing, talk to someone who's lived under a dictator. They kiss the ground when they get to America and celebrate becoming a citizen!

-- Struthers

Thanks to Senate Republicans, Trump is on a vengeance tour, after anyone he thinks did him wrong. He has weaponized the Department of Justice with Attorney General WIlliam Barr and tried to blow up a case against convicted Roger Stone who lied and obstructed Congress and threatened to kill a man. He had a decorated combat veteran led out of the White House like a criminal. He verbally attacked a federal judge and gave the medal of freedom to bigot Rush Limbaugh. He's just getting started. He has his own agenda and talked about cuts to our earned benefits. This could be our last election if he wins.

-- Girard

Who cares about Prince what's-his-name? We fought a bloody war to disconnect from Britain's monarchy, yet we are mesmerized by their exploits. They entertain, like Hollywood types and athletes. Unfortunately their popularity and views on world affairs have influence. Because one is born into royalty or can act, sing or dunk a basketball does not a genius make. They are celebrities and popular. Popularity does not correlate with intelligence. Robert DeNiro's cursing, ranting and Barbara Streisand's suggesting Adam Schiff for president is proof.

-- Canfield

There has been uproar about Tim Ryan and Nancy Pelosi's behavior at the State of the Union address. But it's OK for this commander-in-chief to be vindictive towards witnesses that came forward and told the truth? It's OK for him to use vulgar language during his acquittal speech? It's OK for him to mimic a handicapped person during a campaign rally? It's OK how he bragged on the bus interview where he can grab women because he's famous? Or for some people to 'normalize' his behavior as such? No, it's not OK.

-- Hubbard

As Lincoln quoted the Bible, "A nation divided against itself can not long stand." Our president is exacerbating our nation's divide. He spoke disparagingly at a prayer breakfast about Mitt Romney and Nancy Pelosi. He has insulted generals, minorities, a Gold Star family, John McCain, John Bolton, the press and more. A person with such hate has little concern for anyone else. Today he tells you to hate "others." Tomorrow he will consider you to be the "others."

-- Campbell

Children believe in Santa Claus and the Tooth Fairy until they are smart enough to figure it out. Those that never figure it out believe in the Democrats.

-- Cortland

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"Sound off!" publishes Saturdays to provide readers with a forum to applaud successes, discuss issues, point out local problems or review events of the day -- all in a constructive manner. Preference is given to local issues, but will not include election issues. Selected "Sound off!" submissions are published. Names are not included, but residential community is.

Limit "Sound off!" comments to 80 words. Submit longer comments as "Letters to the Editor," a separate forum that publishes Sundays.

Submit via email to soundoff@tribtoday.com; or via the Virtual Newsroom by going to www.vindy.com and clicking "Submit News" and then "Sound off."

Letters to the Editor

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Recently, Michael Sherman was convicted and sentenced to life in prison; however, he was not the triggerman in a murder. Can someone please explain how that sentence cannot be considered excessive punishment? I don't know him, but I wonder what extenuating circumstances qualify for such a sentence.

--Girard

Wednesday's "State of the divided union" column in The Vindicator was the best explanation I've seen for the mystery of the current Oval Office occupier. Sixteen years of "the people's party," Democrats, ignoring "the People" whose taxes pay DC's bills, whose blood fights their wars and whose lives are micromanaged down to their grocery bills by their crony policies could only destroy reasonableness in favor of far-right control or no-control socialism. Bravo Robert Reich!

 -- Canfield

The 2020 Super Bowl was competitive and exciting. I haven't watched NFL since Colin Kaepernick and others disrespected our flag and national anthem. Kudos to the NFL! This year's opening ceremony was respectful and awe- inspiring. But I did not understand many of the commercials; probably due to my age. The halftime show was crude and vulgar. My plans next year: Replenish snacks during commercials and enjoy a nap during halftime.

-- Canfield

Well, the snafu at the Iowa caucuses was embarrassing. Maybe it's not the Russians but an American phone app that the American voters should be worried about concerning the failure to count votes in Iowa and future elections.

-- Boardman

I saw the picture of Nancy Pelosi tearing up the president's State of the Union speech. How disgusting. She says as a Catholic, she doesn't hate anyone. If this isn't hate she has for the president, it surely isn't love. Also, Rep. Tim Ryan, D-Howland, walked out on Trump's speech. Also very rude. But he doesn't hesitate to go to the White House when he needs something. These two deserve each other.

-- Girard

The Clinton Health Access Initiative was awarded $4.95 million in U.S. aid for use in Zambia in 2020. According to the USAspending.gov website, accessible through the Grants.gov website where "anyone" can compile a request for and likely receive a "grant" funded by the U.S. government, look and see what the U.S. taxpayer is funding. We are two months into 2020. What is next?

-- Vienna

Have something to say?

Have something you want to get off your chest? Share it here with other readers.

"Sound off" publishes Saturdays to provide readers with a forum to applaud successes, discuss issues, point out local problems or review events of the day - all in a constructive manner. Preference is given to local issues but will not include election issues. Selected "Sound Off!" submissions are published. Names are not included, but residential community is.

Limit "Sound off!" comments to 80 words. Submit longer comments as "Letters to the Editor," a separate forum that publishes Sundays.

Submit via email to soundoff@tribtoday.com; or via the Virtual Newsroom by going to www. vindy.com and clicking "Submit news" and then "Sound off."

Letters to the Editor

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Looking for a mid-winter pick-me-up? Try the "Unity Through Nature" exhibit featuring artwork by Youngstown City Schools students. The exhibit at Weller Gallery in Mill Creek Park's Davis Center runs through Feb. 9. Student artwork on large canvasses are bright with color and youthful innovations. In a time of global environmental issues and mass extinctions, the students' works give hope that younger generation is ready to tackle tough problems. As one theme stated, "Earth was created for all of us, not some of us."

-- Youngstown

Many years ago thousands of young men lost their lives and families rushing the beaches of Normandy. They saved our democracy and freedom. Republican senators aren't being asked to do anything as heroic, only to be honest with the American people. There has never been a trial without witnesses. They say it's OK to ask another country to help Trump win an election. Why even vote then? Let Putin determine who should lead us. He has already. If we let this stand, our freedom and democracy will be lost.

-- Girard

Bernie Sanders, the "for the people" hector lecturer, berates our rigged capitalist economy. Yet in Vermont and D.C., government positions leveraged his power to enrich himself, his wife and children. Sanders is a millionaire Socialist -- a living oxymoron. Since he has become a millionaire, he attacks billionaires. Bernie will stifle business, raise taxes and grow our government to administer his many "give-away" programs. Trump wants to "drain the swamp"; Bernie plans to grow the swamp.

-- Canfield

I find it very dismaying that in this day and age groups launching balloons into the sky don't realize how harmful balloons are to the environment, especially to wildlife. So often balloons are launched in a tribute to someone, or a particular cause being celebrated, whatever the case may be! One would think that the adults in charge of these occasions would know better by now! Please find another way to celebrate or remember your loved one!

-- Youngstown

I recently saw this sad news. There are some 150,000 homeless in the Los Angeles area, and three die each day. The city washes the human waste down the sewers and it goes into the ocean, harming marine life. It seems California does very little to control the vast number of homeless people. We are so lucky to live in Northeast Ohio where it is too cold for many homeless.

-- Girard

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Have something you want to get off your chest? Share it here with other readers.

"Sound off!" publishes Saturdays to provide readers with a forum to applaud successes, discuss issues, point out local problems or review events of the day -- all in a constructive manner. Preference is given to local issues, but will not include election issues. Selected "Sound off!" submissions are published. Names are not included, but residential community is.

Limit "Sound off!" comments to 80 words. Submit longer comments as "Letters to the Editor," a separate forum that publishes Sundays.

Submit via email to soundoff@tribtoday.com; or via the Virtual Newsroom by going to www.vindy.com and clicking "Submit News" and then "Sound off."