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Letters to the Editor

When those who govern don’t follow the law

DEAR EDITOR: Nobody likes to be told “what to do” or “what you can’t do,” but to have an open societal function, one that provides safety, health, protection from harm for all, such rules, regulations, aka “Laws,” must be in place and, more importantly, followed. So many of those who subscribe to the “Don’t Tread On Me” doctrine simply don’t understand why or how, without a thought, they go to the local grocery store, drive down the highway, enjoy a walk in the park, and feel safe and healthy while performing that undertaking. Why? It’s due to the many rules, ...

Star Parker’s opinions are not reality-based

DEAR EDITOR: Star Parker’s pervasive nonsense got loose again in her column printed in the December 31-January 1 edition of the Vindicator. She supports Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. saying our declining fertility rate is a “national security threat.” Along with that alarmist opinion she says that the “struggles of those who live secular lives take place in a backdrop of meaninglessness.” Render unto me a break, lady. Her anti-choice, “Christian values” narratives forget that choosing to not get married, not give birth and a secular life are ...

Let’s make the members of Congress do their jobs

DEAR EDITOR: Now comes the new year dragging behind it all the problems of past years to bedevil the hopes of millions of citizens. The millstones round our necks might be removed by Americans raising Cain with Congress to grow spine enough to recover its Constitutionally authorized powers. Things they should work on could include: Repealing Citizens United, a 15-year-old law, passed thanks to a GOP Senate filibuster, that allows corporations, groups and wealthy individuals to finance campaigns through PACs without amount limits or public scrutiny of the political influence their ...

Do we really need a state income tax anymore?

DEAR EDITOR: Ohio has gradually become the land of tax and spend. In 1971, the year before the state income tax appeared on the ballot, the entire state functioned on tax collections amounting to $1.6 billion. In 2024, tax collections mushroomed to $26.3 billion. The state income tax alone generated $10.4 billion in 2024, about eight times total state revenue in 1971. It is illuminating to look at all the new Ohio taxes since the state income tax began in 1972. The state lottery tax now generates $5.9 billion. When the lottery started, the funds were supposed to go to education, but ...

Sound off!

To remove the Cortland mayor, be sure to vote “NO” in the recall election. Don’t be confused by the ballot wording. The ballot asks whether you want the mayor to continue to serve — yes or no. So to remove the mayor, you need to vote “NO” indicating that you do not want the mayor to continue. — Cortland Is Martha Yoder going to explain where she got the $89,354.00 ($80,857.00 in principal and $8,497.00 in interest) recently repaid to Bazetta Township? Hopefully the taxpayers of Trumbull County are not footing this restitution! — Cortland Hats off to those who helped ...

Give Venezuela’s Maduro the Noriega treatment

DEAR EDITOR: To those who think the U.S. military should take out Venezuelan leader Maduro, accused of stealing the election by military force — know the history. Manuel Noriega, the dictator of Panama, who was trafficking in drugs and racketeering, took refuge in the Vatican Embassy on Dec. 24, 1989, and eventually surrendered. He was captured by U.S. forces and special operations units. Navy SEALs and Delta Forces, on Jan. 3, 1990, (I love this part) pressured Noriega with loud music for 10 days. The songs they played were “Voodoo Child,” “You’re No Good” and “I ...