I recall that a half cent the size of a quarter was a viable part of commerce in 19th Century America. The half cent and large cent were discontinued and are now prized collectibles. However, the modern penny, although it now costs nearly three cents to mint one, is like the lubricating oil of commerce. As a hundredth of a dollar, it serves a useful role. And like the Cubs used to be, it’s lovable.
Rewarding competitive eating is disgusting. In a world where millions of people are starving and billions are malnourished, food and healthy nutrition are to be respected and promoted. Pie-eating contests are OK, though. They’re messy and hilarious and the food is semi-healthy and not wasted.
And let’s rediscover cursive writing. Keyboarding into a word-processing system is satisfying and efficient for assembling information and ideas, but cursive handwriting deserves to be taught, preserved and promoted. Whatever the content of a message, cold computerized words on a screen pale when compared to handwriting on paper.
Cursive (flowing) writing can be beautifully artistic, but even when short of that, like a fingerprint, it’s uniquely personal and achieves a human-to-human connection. Such refinements as quality of paper, choice of ink and even selection of postage stamp personalize the message even more.
JOHN A. BRUNING, WEST CARROLLTON
How conservative is Donald Trump?
Some believe that Donald Trump is a closeted liberal. Let me explain: Nancy Isenberg in her book “White Trash” contends that there is, and that there always has been, a class system in the United States. When our country was first founded, slaves, women and those who did not own property were not allowed to vote. Poorly educated white tenant farmers were considered white trash by educated property owners. Only 4 ½ percent of the population in the first few years of our country had voting rights.
For 20 years after World War II the poorly educated had high-paying, union-protected, factory work that allowed them to enter the middle class. Those jobs no longer exist. Trump knew he couldn’t win the typical issues of the Democrat and Republican parties. His whole campaign relied on the anger and frustration of those who felt they were not getting their fair share of our country’s wealth.
We will know within the first three months of Trump’s administration his true conservative or liberal political beliefs. If Trump nominates a moderate for the Supreme Court who supports Roe vs. Wade and other liberal issues, then Donald Trump might be considered a liberal.
CHARLES L. SCOTT, DAYTON
Everyone had a chance to vote
I find it disturbing that since we the people of the United States have voiced our choice for president utilizing the Democratic process some choose to protest the result, as a spoiled child would react to not getting what they thought they deserved. When President Obama was elected there were no protests, as there are now. I find it funny, everyone was given the chance to voice their opinion via a Democratic voting process. We now need to stand behind the results and make this country great again. If people do not like it, then I suggest they move to another country that they feel would allow them the liberty they seek.
DAVE BLAKELY, MIAMISBURG
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