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June 4, 2012

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Letter to the editor:

War chests have better uses

Vernon Pechous, Henderson

Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2012 | 2 a.m.

How ironic is it? We have Republicans spending millions of dollars to gain the office of president of the United States, while the present office holder is sitting back with a huge war chest of hundreds of millions of dollars to keep the office that may or may not be responsible for the recent recession in our country.

One would think there are better things to do with this money. While the national unemployment figure is around 9 percent, we fight over things like cheating on one’s wife and who benefits from the recession. Why don’t we move on to the real issues — jobs, jobs, jobs, and how to correct our nation’s problems and get the ball rolling on real tax relief, closing loopholes and flat taxes?

The 9 percent of the population trying to get by on food stamps, unemployment benefits or other means would gladly take that job, which pays a few hundred thousand dollars, a personal plane and free rent for four years.

Let’s knock off the primaries and elect a new president already!

Discussion: 19 comments so far…

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  1. By dipstick
    Feb. 7, 2012
    6:04 a.m.
    Flag

    americans dont care, they'll buy anything. gas prices too high? a gas guzzler pickup truck is our #1 seller. why do you think so many homeowners are underwater, they overspent and put it on their chinese credit card. americans are so smart they voted for bush TWICE and still blame someone else for their misfortune but its not THEIR fault!

  2. By BChap (Bradley Chapline)
    Feb. 7, 2012
    6:25 a.m.
    Flag

    Vernon, maybe we do need a new President in the White House. However, in the processes it takes to become commander-in-chief of our country, can you name another form of government who has a better process? I didn't think so.

    It takes money to eat, sleep, go to work, and even do ones personal business in the restroom facilities. Henceforth, it takes money to elect a President of the United States. In essence, nothing is free. I admit, there are changes that need to be made in our system. But, do us loyal Americans a favor, don't cross the line to where you begin belittling the American way.

    You really got my dander up when you wrote, "The 9 percent of the population trying to get by on food stamps, unemployment benefits or by other means."

    Don't even try to hand me that malarkey. It is nonsense, absurd, and very much an inaccurate account. As an example, I recently met a man who was a once high paid Real Estate agent who was working as a cashier in a gas station / mini mart convenience store. This gentleman not only works there, but also works full-time at another convenience store. He was thrilled to get off unemployment and food stamps. This man is an exception to the rule.

    His words, "When times are bad you have to take what work is available. When times are good I've learned you better darn well save for when the times are bad."

    It is a documented fact that most of the chronic unemployed have been offered employment, but have refused offers simply because the job itself was beneath them, or it did not fit their salary demands in accordance to times prior to this recession. These people have decided themselves, it is better for them to stay home and collect unemployment rather than take a job that pays near the range of what their unemployment checks would be. I have no sympathy for them. Not one of these unemployed are better than me. When I became unemployed in past years, I took low paying jobs that were humiliating to me. But, my pride remained up in the air because I took no government assistance. I took care of my personal and family responsibilities myself.

    Since you like to complain so much without submitting practical solutions, consider living in Syria. No money exchanges hands there to change their President. Just lots of human blood from the opposition.

  3. By boftx
    Feb. 7, 2012
    6:29 a.m.
    Flag

    Dennis,

    It is Congress and the President who has the Chinese credit card, not homeowners (although I agree many homeowners were foolish to use their homes as an ATM.) Also, Democrats (including Mr. Obama) still blame former President Bush for everything even though Mr. Obama has been President for over three years now.

  4. By boftx
    Feb. 7, 2012
    6:39 a.m.
    Flag

    I am going to second Brad's comment.

    In the 1980s I used to pass by a person who routinely begged on the corner. I got to know him over time and offered him a job at my company as a sales/customer service rep at better than minimum wage plus commission with benefits.

    This person turned me down saying he got more money from begging and his disability payments (he had lost a leg in 'Nam) than I was offering.

    I have never given a single dime to a beggar since (other than to help one feed his dog as well as himself.)

    It is indeed obscene that money plays such a large role in our elections. It is more obscene that we allow this to be the case.

  5. By lericgoodman (Leric Goodman)
    Feb. 7, 2012
    6:45 a.m.
    Flag

    Vernon is right, this "process" is too long and costly. We ought to be able to hold an election in 6 weeks.

  6. By boftx
    Feb. 7, 2012
    7:03 a.m.
    Flag

    As I write this I am watching a story on MSNBC about how Obama now wants people to contribute to a super-PAC that supports him. I guess he is not satisfied with taking $1B from individual donors.

  7. By dipstick
    Feb. 7, 2012
    7:03 a.m.
    Flag

    botx; whats funny is that the people who voted for bush wont take the responsibility of making a mistake and instead turn their frustration at Obama. the republicans offer nothing but more heartache for the middle class.

  8. By boftx
    Feb. 7, 2012
    7:30 a.m.
    Flag

    Dennis, you might be right. I voted for Gore, then Kerry, so I can't speak for those who voted for Bush.

  9. By gmag39
    Feb. 7, 2012
    10:37 a.m.
    Flag

    "It is a documented fact that most of the chronic unemployed have been offered employment, but have refused offers simply because the job itself was beneath them, or it did not fit their salary demands in accordance to times prior to this recession."

    Bradly, old Bean...
    Could'ya possibly give us a link to some documentation of your "documented facts"?

    THANKS!!!

    P.S...
    NOT that I doubt your voracity, Bradley, old chap, but Victor Eismine is corect;
    "Every real estate agent I know is self-employed and ineligible for unemployment insurance."

  10. By gmag39
    Feb. 7, 2012
    10:44 a.m.
    Flag

    p.p.s...

    "You really got my dander up when you wrote, "The 9 percent of the population trying to get by on food stamps, unemployment benefits or by other means."

    Does that mean you 'got angry'?

  11. By BChap (Bradley Chapline)
    Feb. 7, 2012
    11:17 a.m.
    Flag

    Oh my, and the pests just keep coming. Okay "GMag39", the clerk in the store gave up his realtor license. From that day on he was no longer employed on a commission basis and over time, which I don't know what that lapse time was or his employment history in between, he became eligible for unemployment. I don't make it my life to snake into other peoples personal lives. I'd say you could use a job to occupy your time.

  12. By BChap (Bradley Chapline)
    Feb. 7, 2012
    11:36 a.m.
    Flag

    "GMag39" Search for workers who left a state escorted out by law enforcement authorities and the jobs that were open would not be filled by the chronic unemployed. You find the title and link yourself. You apparently need something productive to occupy your time. This is a good start for you.

  13. By dipstick
    Feb. 7, 2012
    11:44 a.m.
    Flag

    bchap; do you tell your family the same fairy tales?

  14. By BChap (Bradley Chapline)
    Feb. 7, 2012
    12:21 p.m.
    Flag

    What's the matter "Dipstick", was the homework assignment to difficult for you and "GMag39" to research and discover that a state back east had enacted tough new immigration laws? Then, INS officials took the illegal workers off the farms and processed them for deportation. The farmers complained that even with the high rate of unemployment in their jurisdiction they could not get one person to apply for all the vacant positions that had opened up? Hmm, can you find it now? Or, do you need more hints?

    You are just another left-wing extremist who will resort to almost anything to cover the lazy, inept, incompetent and crooked nature of your fellow degenerates who sponge off the taxpayers in receiving government handouts.

  15. By dipstick
    Feb. 7, 2012
    12:45 p.m.
    Flag

    clint eastwood would be proud of you, bchap.

  16. By teamster
    Feb. 8, 2012
    12:02 a.m.
    Flag

    Vernon........

    NO, we don't need a new president.

    But since it was republicans, in the House, who
    voted AGAINST THE JOBS BILL, we need to vote
    out those republicans so we can create more jobs.

    And we also need to fire those COMMUNIST SLAVE
    MASTERS and bring back our American jobs back
    from COMMUNIST CHINA.

    As Clint Eastwood said,

    "It's halftime in America and our second half is
    about to begin".

  17. By boftx
    Feb. 8, 2012
    1:19 a.m.
    Flag

    teamster,

    President Obama killed the Keystone pipeline, which killed several thousand union jobs. As a result, Canada will now take a serious look at building it to the west and selling the oil to China.

    Obama is just as guilty as you say the House is when it comes to killing jobs.

    Deal with it.

  18. By gmag39
    Feb. 8, 2012
    6:17 a.m.
    Flag

    boftx...

    Your claims re; the XL pipeline are spurious at best.
    I think you might be stretching the facts a wee bit.

  19. By iowateach (Robert Mills)
    Feb. 8, 2012
    9:46 a.m.
    Flag

    It's half time and to start the second half the Chinese have the ball and we are behind by 16 trillion and growing.

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