After 8 years of stupidity, give the Dems a chance

In regard to the Sept. 15 letter "The Economy Means Nothing If We're Not Safe," I dare say that a strong economy and a government willing to work with other nations against terrorism is a step in the right direction.

The letter said, "It's not the economy, stupid"! I say stupid is as stupid does. Lies told to the American people about weapons of mass destruction, which put our brave sons and daughters in harm's way, are not only stupid but also criminal.

Blaming the Democrats and President Clinton for 9/11 after the Bush administration ignored warnings of possible attacks ... is stupid. Landing on an aircraft carrier and declaring "mission accomplished" while dumping the cost and responsibilities of the war in Iraq and Afghanistan in another president's lap is stupid.

Defending a president who remained seated in a classroom for more than five minutes while our country was under attack is stupid. The letter writer said, "He remained calm and did not want to upset the children." This may be a comforting gesture, but it certainly doesn't show strength. When a country is attacked, every moment counts. He should have acted as the commander in chief of the United States, not a baby sitter.

The beauty of our democratic system is we, the people, can change presidential leadership every four years or reward success with another term. If we as a nation are better off now than in 2000, we should vote Republican; however, if we disagree, it's time to give the Democrats a chance.

ROBERT BAFUMA
Monroeville

---

What's not said

Will the "hate Bush, love all things Democratic" letter writers and their colleagues in the media, academia and Congress ever stop misleading us and finally get it right? The Sept. 17 letter "Their Fear Platform" is a prime example.

Here is Ben Franklin's quote: "They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." They always omit "essential." If the writer's personal liberty has been affected, stop all incoming or outgoing calls to Pakistan.

Osama bin Laden wanted to damage our economy. We took a big hit on 9/11. "Go shopping" helped maintain our $13 trillion GDP economy. Thanks to all who helped. To sacrifice, you could have donated to an organization that assists our troops in the field or in hospitals. As a free people, we are expected to think on our own, at times.

Has the "60 percent of the American public" who say we're going in the wrong direction ever said what the right direction is? Others have told us, for years, a poll showed 75 percent of Iraqis and Americans want us to leave Iraq. They don't tell you that another question on the same poll and answered by the same overwhelming majority was "when should they leave?" The answer was "not yet"! The above illustrates why the comments from these liberals/progressives have been laughable for years. Sadly, they now border on the pathetic.

Thanks to the PG for the forum to exchange the intelligent thoughts that do appear in these pages.

JAMES CHARLOT
Sewickley

---

The race factor

By way of introduction, I am a member of two distinct Catholic minorities, a practicing (not cafeteria) Catholic and, second, a Catholic who happens to be a Democrat who voted for Barack Obama.

Even at this late date, I am still amazed that 75 percent (exit-poll determination) of my religious brethren (aka those who are hard-working, blue-collar etc., etc.) voted for Hillary Clinton. I would readily accept the spread of 55 percent to 45 percent or even 60 percent to 40 percent, but 75 percent to 25 percent?

Both candidates are intelligent, poised and well-spoken and mirror the others' issues, proposals and positions. If Barack and Hillary are "sixes" in the personal, program and policy areas, could the 600-pound Catholic gorilla be their respective skin colors -- more than just maybe?

Perhaps our less-than-dynamic Catholic hierarchy could expand by two their two-word vocabulary of "close-merge" to include "racial bias." When was the last time a bishop took a stand on something other than God, motherhood and apple pie?

Wouldn't it be better than good if Bishop Zubik grabbed the leadership position on relevant social and religious challenges? Why wouldn't it be appropriate for him to prepare a pastoral letter for direct distribution to the laity, prior to the general election, cautioning all parishioners that voting should be about issues, conscience and intelligence, not racial prejudice?

MIKE WALKER
Jefferson Hills

---

Foolish again?

If Barack Obama loses the election, it will be the result of a racist electorate who won't vote for Mr. Obama because he is biracial and an ignorant electorate who will not take the time to learn about the issues.

The very electorate who are hurt by Bush/McCain policies will continue their self-inflicted pain by not considering what is important in their lives: sensible economic policies, job creation, affordable health care, care and concern for our military, cheaper food and gas prices, more money in their pockets and future Supreme Court appointments that will be fair with decisions that impact most Americans.

They are driven by Karl Rove-like tactics: Mr. McCain's military service (remember what they did to John Kerry?), a selection for vice president that is only politically motivated and not good for the country, painting Mr. Obama as inexperienced when he is not, and openly distorting the facts (they will do anything to get elected).

Any campaign that espouses personalities over issues should have voters rushing to the other side as fast as they can. Unfortunately, our electorate will probably be duped again and get at least four more years of agony for themselves and this nation. God help us all.

LARRY BUCKWALTER
Jeanette

---

Unlike Jesus

I found D. Swoager's Sept. 10 letter ("The Work of Jesus") to be quite interesting. The letter puts Sen. Barack Obama right up there with Christ as a community leader and equates Sarah Palin to the likes of Pontius Pilate.

Mr. Obama is no Jesus Christ! Jesus loved the little children and promised to punish anyone who puts them in harm's way. It was Pilate who sent an innocent man to his death, much like Obama and Biden approve of the slaughter of millions of innocent unborn children.

Being a community leader is the only thing Mr. Obama has in common with Christ!

CAROL CZAPIK
Castle Shannon

---

The road to fascism

Sinclair Lewis, the famous American author, once wrote: "When fascism comes to America it will be wrapped in the flag and carrying a cross."

America's sharp tilt to fascism began eight years ago. It is very clear that movement will continue, and likely accelerate, under a McCain/Palin administration. If Americans don't stop it when they vote on Nov. 4, they get what they deserve.

THOMAS L. BUTERA
O'Hara

---

Why is risky beachfront development permitted?

Can someone explain to me the wisdom of giving building permits for buildings in hurricane-prone waterfront areas, and on the barrier islands along the Atlantic seaboard and the shorelines of the Gulf of Mexico?

These properties are built by businesses such as hotels and casinos for vacation revelers, or by fairly wealthy folks as their second and third homes as their investment and source of additional incomes. These individual homes are rented out for vacationers on a weekly basis through property management companies.

Barrier islands and vegetation in wetlands, as any ecologist, marine biologist and geologist would vouch, absorb the energies of the tidal waves and water surges during hurricanes and tsunamis providing the first line of defense against the ravages of nature.

So, let us be candid here: Should we continue to provide insurance coverage for these at-risk properties? After all, people with pre-existing conditions find it difficult to get health insurance.

Even if the insurance coverage is provided by private companies, payments for damages still come from the monthly premiums of companies' other policy-holders, many of them living hundreds and even 1,000 or 2,000 miles away, struggling with payments for the only homes they ever will own. Indirectly other policy-holders subsidize these high-risk investments.

If it comes from the federal government, it is even worse. Then everybody subsidizes the rebuilding of these beachfront homes.

VENKAT K. S. VENKATARAMAN
Murrysville

---