Samaritans brighten dreary day
On a cloudy dreary freezing rain Thursday morning, I was leaving my kidney dialysis treatment clinic. A gentleman waiting for his wife to complete her treatment offered to walk me to my car due to the parking lot being very slippery and treacherous. He noticed that not one but both of my front tires were extremely low (I had failed to mention to my husband that I had noticed this the day before). He advised me to go to the nearest gas station to get air. I drove about half a mile and pulled in near the air hose, went in to get quarters and proceeded to attempt to take off the stem cap. A young man pulled in and as he started to pass by asked if needed help. I told him he must be a mind reader. He proceeded to put air in both of my tires. I did not get his name, but he said he had driven his wife to her job in Ligonier because of the road conditions, along with his two young children, and said he had to go back to Fort Wayne to work. He is an independent contractor.
What seemed to be a day with no sunshine was completely turned around by two individuals who took the time to offer their help. It brought a smile to my heart and made my day brighter.
SHERYL L. DAVIS Kendallville
Daniels’ words hit close to home
To quote Gov. Mitch Daniels: “A government as big and bossy as this one is maintained on the backs of the middle class and those who hope to join it.”
A better description of his own party in the Indiana House could not have been written.
MIKE TERHUNE Decatur
Our liberties are on the wane
The banner headline of Jan. 27 stated: “Pentagon’s planned cuts rankle GOP.”
Are Republicans the only citizens concerned about the administration’s drastic reduction of national defense capabilities? This move will increase foreign intervention into our domestic and international affairs. Admittedly, the military must better enforce conservation of its assets provided by our taxes. This presidential plan is not the best answer.
Republicans in the House have proposed several worthwhile financial plans. But the current administration and Democratic Senate reject any interest in cost savings. The administration makes no bones about its wants, including taking more money from all our pockets (believe me –not just the so-called “rich”) and blow it on bailouts, fanciful commercial start-ups and takeovers of private businesses.
Wake up, citizens. It’s not just the military budget that needs adjustment. Consider the unnecessary and excessive costs of the president’s 36 czars and their huge staffs. During the past three years, more than 100,000 employees have been added to federal payrolls. During the same period, private enterprises have been stymied by new regulations and horrendous uncertainty for their future.
For your sake and freedom of choice for your children, get involved in the political process. As things are going, time is rapidly running out on the very existence of our few remaining liberties.
JOHN PAUL Warren
Republican field a joke
As a working-class blue-collar man all my life, I typically vote independent or Democrat. But if the candidate is right, I will vote Republican.
I can’t wait for the May primary to declare Republican and vote for one of the clowns running. Do they think that the unlimited money they have will help? Not with these clowns. It’s just funny.
See you at the polls.
BILL McEVOY Fort Wayne
Expect results from right to work
OK, fist bumps and back slaps all around. We passed right to work, making Indiana the 23rd state in the union with this law.
Now that the legislative excitement is over, it’s time for – brace yourself – accountability. This very controversial law was passed on the promise of more jobs at higher wages. For all our sakes, let’s hope it delivers – northeast Indiana needs both desperately.
To our elected officials and economic institutions that pushed so hard to get this law passed, stay vigilant.
Watch the data carefully. The payback for such high-stakes legislation must be both job and wage growth.
If these don’t materialize, let’s respond as quickly and decisively as on passing this law. We all need the promised results.
JOEL SAUER New Haven
