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Haworth's analogy about immigrants was wrong
DEAR EDITOR:
I really have to disagree with Ian Haworth's editorial printed on Monday, July 6, regarding the Supreme Court's decision to uphold birthright citizenship. He uses a very poor and purposely slanted analogy of he and his wife breaking into a neighbor's home, having a baby in the home and then forcing the parents in that home to raise the child. In the analogy, he also mentions that he and his wife are "rifling through your fridge."
The majority of immigrants into the US want to raise their own families and contrary to Mr. Haworth's analogy of "rifling through the fridge," the majority of the immigrants are working and contributing to the economy.
The Trump administration's dislike of immigrants is about hatred, not security. Spending $70 billion to deport immigrants, even if they are illegal, leaves the US with nothing – and could aggravate inflation -- for that investment. Giving working immigrants a path to citizenship is a far better investment since it grows the economy by adding consumers and labor to the economy.
Any nation that is great enough to attract immigrants is being given a gift. Most immigrants are considered illegal because Congress has failed to create a viable immigration policy. Many immigrants leave everything behind coming with little or nothing. They are willing to work and build a life for themselves and their children.
My grandfather left Italy at age 17, came here with nothing but what he could carry. He didn't know the language; he didn't have any money; he didn't have a job. But he was willing to work. He found his way to Herminie, PA and worked on a farm. Recalled to Italy to fight in the Italian Navy in WWI, he met my grandmother after the war and returned to the US. My grandparents raised five siblings. His work ethic rubbed off on my dad who taught me the value of work and earning your own way. I can guarantee you that my life is orders of magnitude better because of my grandfather's bravery in coming to the US as an immigrant.
Let's give immigrants who want to be here and who are not serious criminals a path to citizenship. Hatred begets more hatred, and hatred will destroy us.
Thank you for your assistance. Have a good summer!
DAVID J. BISIGNANI
Austintown
The war isn't in Iran; it's in Youngstown
DEAR EDITOR:
This is brother Abdul Harris, lifelong fed up resident of the city of Youngstown, where these inept leaders say it's safe to live here. No, how about it's safe to die here! Houses getting shot up, Young dude last week shot to death on the South Side and juveniles shooting gel guns at parishioners at church. Come on! And in the Brier Hill area over the weekend, you guessed it, shooting down there too!
Yet these leftover leaders that did much of nothing under the lame eight-year tyranny of the last leader here, most are still in power doing nothing to quell these senseless killings/shootings. Oh, where is that impact initiative, Mr. Mayor? And who gave a certain group a permit last Saturday to block the streets Lansing and East High on the neglected lower First Ward? For nine hours straight we the people had to endure this wretched music shaking our homes. Mind you we're elderly and seniors from ages 55 to 95 and did anyone from this organization or anyone from y'all precious downtown notify any of us that this was going on?
Remember this, you lame leaders when election -- I mean selection -- time comes up and we the people add the name Sike to the ballot!
ABDUL HARRIS
Youngstown
Section 219 of the NDAA goes too far
DEAR EDITOR:
One of my new concerns is the National Defense Authorization Act. Section 219 was slipped into this 1,000-page, excessive bill. Section 219 will allow Israel's Netanyahu to have access to our military information and our money. It will merge Israel and U.S. forces.
My opinion is not about antisemitism, which I totally oppose. This is about keeping our country free -- free from Israel merging into our military; using our money; our resources and intelligence information, which would include, electronic warfare, directed energy and biotechnology use. This law would limit our congressional oversight of wars in which we would then be entangled. Netanyahu is a "never end wars" kind of guy.
This bill has passed the House and is now in the Senate. Please call our senators to stop this bill from moving forward. If it passes, it will become law and the U.S. and Israel will have merged our troops and, "Our taxed based" military spending.
The 2027 budget for war spending is set at an all-time high $1.5 trillion! A better use of much of this money would be to provide affordable health care; food for those who need it; improving our educational systems; affordable housing and meeting more basic needs for our country. Not war! Our funding for food programs alone has been cut by $63 billion!
This law would have another warring country have access to all our military information and allow them to use our tax dollars for their war interests. We do not need to be merged with Genocidal Netanyahu. Please call our senators, and urge them to oppose the National Defense Authorization Act, especially Section 219. Call Sen. Bernie Moreno at 202-224-2315 and Sen. Jon Husted at 202-224-3353.
ELIZABETH BRAHAM
North Lima
The jokes' landing all depends on the delivery
DEAR EDITOR:
A new arrival at the penitentiary on his first day of entertainment hour. Inmates gathered in a large auditorium for a banter event. One inmate gets on a stage and starts calling out number 5143, and all the inmates applaud.
The new inmate is puzzled. A second inmate gets up on the stage; he calls out 7361. Again, all the inmates applaud.
Finally, the new inmate inquired about this strange happening.
The odd times explain the situation. These men had been in there so long they knew all the jokes. To keep it brief, they just called out numbers to represent the jokes. The old-timer suggested the new inmate try it.
The new inmate got on the stage repeating the numbers that got the most applause.
"5143." The audience went silent.
Baffled, he asked the old-timer what had happened.
His response was, "Some people can tell them; some people can't."
Kamala Harris eyes a possible 2028 comeback. As a whole, the nation goes silent.
PAUL R. LAWSON
McDonald
Poland Village Assisted Living has gone overboard
DEAR EDITOR:
Families pay thousands of dollars for senior care, yet Poland Village Assisted Living is telling vulnerable residents they must now provide their own toilet paper, tissues and trash bags.
Many of these seniors have no local family and cannot physically shop for themselves. Cutting off basic hygiene essentials is a cruel way to boost profit margins.
Management needs to reverse this decision and put resident care over corporate greed.
RUTH LEES
Warren
When will you realize that Trump doesn't care?
DEAR EDITOR:
Trump "seems" to be all powerful now; he could almost fly around the world screaming, "I am the King of the World," BUT … tiny cracks are appearing in his crown. However, he still does whatever he wants, still doesn't seem to care what is happening in the U.S. or its citizens, and spends money, our money not his, on self-aggrandizements.
He has canceled the ACA for millions of Americans. He is cutting Medicare's drug subsidies despite telling us he could lower the cost of drugs "1400%!" (which is impossible). Other insurance companies have joined in by raising the cost to impossible levels. If I didn't know better I "could" think he wants Americans (unimportant ones) to die off. Yet many refuse to understand that he really simply does not care. Not a good move and is angering many.
He and Vance urge young parents to have more babies. Many are barely able to afford the family they have now. If he thought the $1,000 he would give new parents would help, he is seriously out of touch .. .which actually he is.
Rent, food, medicines, utilities, insurance, clothing … every facet of American lives' needs are coming up short. Add in poor pay at 1970 levels. Mortgages are in jeopardy. He really does not care.
With millions of people fired from federal positions, shutting of agencies, departments, top positions, and more, where is this extra cash? He has actually added several Trillions to the national debt. War is expensive. He just doesn't care.
He doesn't like "affordability." "Groceries" was an unfamiliar word to him.
I was under the impression that a president was elected as head of ALL states, not just red. That help would go to ALL states. Right now help is needed for massive fires in the state of Washington. Will he send help? Usually, well actually before Trump, when any disaster happens the president issues some words of condolence, and then assures that help is on the way. Not Trump, he says fires won't happen if you rake the leaves in the forest so they don't catch fire. Who thinks this? A compassionate man? I don't think so, but a man consumed with himself, and one who really doesn't care what happens to the people as long as he gets what he wants. It is all about him.
JEANNE McDERMOTT
Liberty
Let's look at the facts about Dr. Amy Acton
DEAR EDITOR:
I am very disturbed and angered by the television ads about Amy Acton. They are nasty and visually distorted, AI-generated. They contain lies, half-truths and innuendoes.
Dr. Acton had a very rough childhood. She was homeless, lived briefly in a tent during the winter, and was sexually abused as a child. If you research her life, you will find that the one supposed drinking/drug incident has been blown all out of proportion and exaggerated.
Given her background, it would be surprising if she didn't have PTSD. She has risen far above her horribly difficult beginnings. I greatly admire her.
The ads accuse her of shutting down Ohio during COVID. She did not have the power to do that. She was an ADVISER, as the director of the Ohio Department of Health, to Gov. Mike DeWine. He made informed decisions about closures, masks, vaccines, etc. Ohio fared better than many states in death rates and recovery.
Dr. Acton has had a career giving to others. Her credentials are impressive -- Doctor of Medicine from Northeastern Ohio College of Medicine and a Master's Degree in Public Health. She was the Woman of the Year for Ohio and won the Profile in Courage Award in 2022, among her many recognitions and awards. Her focus has long been on public health and wellness.
Dr. Acton cares!
Contrast Dr. Acton with Vivek Ramaswamy. His bio does not include any mention of a public office. He has degrees from Harvard and Yale Law School. He is worth 2.8 billion. As of 2024 he has moved his company, FINANCIAL SERVICES Strive Enterprises, to Dallas. He is funded by $25 million of his own money and millions from Elon Musk and others of the billionaire class.
Why is he running? Perhaps, like Trump and Elon, he plans to make billions more. Which person will have your welfare in mind?
BECKY MURRAY
Poland
Desperate Republicans are playing the communist card
DEAR EDITOR:
Donald Trump, Mike Johnson and other prominent Republicans have, out of some sort of desperation, I assume, begun calling liberal Democrats "communists."
Liberal Democrats embrace the civil rights of all individuals, the sanctity of free speech, adherence to the rule of law, the rights of all citizens to expect free and fair elections and the protection of citizens against abuse by the government.
I challenge those Republicans to find any communist government, or member of any communist party that support those same ideals. The only thing more stupid than this idiotic name-calling by Republicans would be the people who believe the stupidity.
THOMAS BRENT
Struthers