Stop polluters, their lobbyists
With thousands of gallons of crude oil spewing into the Gulf Coast and marine life casualties on the rise, BP must be held responsible. There is no sight of an end to this human and environmental tragedy; despite relief efforts, the effects of this disaster will carry on for decades.
Where is Sarah Palin now with her famous slogan, “Drill baby drill”? If we continue to allow oil companies like BP and Shell to bully politicians and pay off regulators, we also allow these companies to manipulate new energy laws, and we remain addicted to the polluted and hazardous life driven by fossil fuels.
President Obama needs to cut out the polluter lobbyists. If the oil companies won’t take action for troubles they caused, U.S. citizens will give the oil companies trouble for their actions.
As Bob Marley said, “The people that are trying to make this world worse aren’t taking a day off. How can I?”
KELLIE ADKINS Fort Wayne
No sense in tea party suggestions
The racists in the so-called tea party movement showed their true colors when the disaster in the Gulf happened.
For a year and a half, tea party members have cried about big government, calling our president every name from Nazi to Communist (for their information, Nazi and Communist are at odds with each other).
I heard one of the tea party leaders say President Obama should commandeer all the boats in the Gulf area, and another one said he should take BP over. Now if these aren’t Communist ideas, then what is?
President Obama could find a cure for cancer, and these people would complain that he doesn’t care about heart disease.
TONY RUMPEL Fort Wayne
Voter centers save money
Four counties would have paid an estimated $900,000 for a special election in the 3rd Congressional District with precinct voting. Had vote centers been in place in these counties, a special election could have been held for $540,000, a savings of 40 percent.
Because of the cost, Gov. Mitch Daniels set the date for the 3rd District’s special election in November in conjunction with the general election.
Now, constituents in the 3rd District will be left with a vacant congressional seat until the general election in November. Without a special election, the 3rd District will lack a voice in Congress for the next five months. Where is the local control and local efficiency in this process?
If vote centers were a statewide option for all Indiana counties, the special election could be held for a lot less money. However, current state law prevents local governments from adopting vote centers for their counties.
The three vote center pilot counties have seen significant cost savings.
In Tippecanoe County, vote centers have saved more than $100,000. Without a statewide option, these counties will be forced to return to precinct voting, costing taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars.
SARAH ROSSIER Deputy Legislative Director Association of Indiana Counties
Davis best for judgeship
In the midterm election Nov. 2, I strongly encourage the community to also pay close attention to race between Wendy Davis and Ken Scheibenberger for Allen County Superior Court judge.
Scheibenberger is being challenged by an extremely viable candidate.
As running for judge is a non-partisan position, it is important that the candidate be endorsed by both Democrats and Republicans alike. Davis’ endorsements range from Republican Indiana state Sen. David Long to Democratic City Councilman Tim Pape, a fellow attorney. She has the support of community members and business leaders, including Keith Busse of Steel Dynamics and Dick Freeland of Pizza Hut. Everyone, regardless of political affiliation, should be ready to make Davis the next Allen County Superior Court judge.
Visit www.wendydavisforjudge.com to learn more about the commitment, respect, and vision she has for our community. Davis is an ethical, civic-minded leader and trial-tough candidate. For these reasons, she is the clear choice for this election.
JOSEPH D. TOWNSEND Fort Wayne
