Don French, Liberty Twp. (Republican)
Our government is responsible for the general well-being of all of the people and our Constitution was designed to protect the rights and freedoms of all who live in our country, not just those of a majority or politically connected. As an example, I fully supported Gov. John Kasich’s expansion of Medicaid in Ohio. Not only does it make good, long-term financial sense, it embraces the poor and disenfranchised among us, providing opportunity and alternatives, not just for today but for future generations.
I acknowledge the inherent inefficiency of centralized programs and bureaucracy and the need to be ever vigilant in their oversight (i.e. recent issues with the Veteran Affairs Department and the IRS).
“Compassion” may also be another word for global responsibility. As the wealthiest economy in the world, and the desire to remain so, we must accept world leadership for human rights and environmental sustainability. This does not mean trying to solve every regional issue of civil unrest or to change cultural norms we will never understand, but to lead the world in developing long range strategic initiatives for the betterment and stability of all peoples. We seem to have delegated long term global planning to Andrea Merkel and opened to the door to a reinvigorated Russia.
Political examples of those who embraced Republican compassion may be the Rockefeller Republicans or the George H.W. Bush administration.
THE 99 PERCENT
Frankie M. Holmes, Trotwood (Democrat)
The most important issue for me in this election is economic opportunities for the 99 percent. Wages are stagnant. Some people are no longer looking for jobs and therefore not counted in statistics of the unemployed, skewing the numbers.
WHERE WE ARE GOING
Chick Fraunfelter, Middletown (Independent)
As a member of the Baby Boomer generation, the No. 1 issue I see is to change the direction in which this country is heading. This downward spiral can be altered but it requires leaders who are willing to make difficult decisions that might not be popular with the minions of special interest groups.
In recent years, issues that divide us (abortion, immigration, gender rights, etc.) have weakened the resolve of our politicians who must seek re-election. During this period we have seen an acceleration of national debt, open conflict between the federal government and individual states, and a huge swing from a country that manufactures to one that is a service industry.
We should be electing true representatives of the people who have an open book history of experience and moral character to not be swayed by big money, special interest groups or powerful lobbyists.
Assuming there is time to correct our course, then we should really look hard at these candidates running for political office. Sift through the promises and platforms and choose wisely.
YEARLY DEFICIT OF THE FEDERAL BUDGET
Lester Small, Beavercreek (Republican)
Measuring the federal government’s size by number of employees, the current workforce has not grown appreciably in 10 years. However, economic scope and impact are another story. In 2015, total federal spending was $3.8 trillion. Discretionary spending, including the military and other Cabinet departments, was $1.11 trillion. Non-discretionary spending was $2.69 trillion largely for Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and national debt interest. Total revenues were $3.18 trillion with a resulting deficit of $620 billion or $1,931 for each American. Not only is this unacceptable, but the yearly deficit is expected to grow to more than $1 trillion in a few years.
So where is the real spending problem? Over 2000-2012, discretionary spending has grown 75 percent. During that same period, non-discretionary “entitlement” spending has increased 100 percent with no reductions in sight. Unfortunately, most taxpayers consider themselves “entitled” to unchanging Social Security and Medicare benefits since they have paid into both systems. At the same time, federal revenues increased only a more modest 42 percent. The federal spending levels, including yearly deficits and total accumulated debt, are an enormous drag on our free-market economy. They have resulted in feeble economic growth and the public’s pessimism for our country’s future.
What is to be done? Let’s briefly review what Democrats and Republicans are saying. Democrat Bernie Sanders proposes lots of free stuff including universal health care and college tuition. This will result in much higher federal spending and likely higher federal deficits and debt. Hillary Clinton is less of a fiscal revolutionary and plans to continue President Obama’s ineffective fiscal policies and has not mentioned excessive spending or yearly deficit reduction. All of the remaining Republicans hopefuls have identified the need to reduce federal government expenditures/regulations “to unleash the power of free market capitalism.” Unfortunately, few have mentioned a serious reform of entitlements; nor have they addressed raising taxes as part of any plan to narrow the fiscal deficit gap.
My Republican membership card jeopardized, here is my simplistic solution to the problem: Starting with a budgeting process that includes frequent consultation with Congress, the new president should propose a 2018 budget and 10-year fiscal plan that calls for a 1 percent per year actual spending cut and a 1 percent per year matching increase in selected entitlement-related taxes. All entitlement programs and Cabinet departments should be on the table, and military funding should also be examined with emphasis on structural reforms to meet 21st-century threats. Will the new president have the courage, foresight or needed disdain for possible re-election consequences? I sure hope so. As an eternal optimist, I believe that, if our dire financial situation is honestly explained to the American people, we will bite the proverbial fiscal bullet. Then again, I have three young grandchildren and am also required to believe in Santa Claus and the Tooth Fairy.
POLITICAL EXTREMISM
Darrell Von Deylen, Springboro (Independent)
Recently there has been minimal common sense legislation passed by Congress because of political extremists and their unwillingness to compromise or cooperate with others who do not agree with their views. The lack of respect shown to recent Presidents Bush and Obama by the opposition parties has been alarming and is a good example of this political extremism.
During the election season I have seen many political advertising signs which indicate that the candidate is a “Conservative Republican.” Evidently many believe it is not enough just to be a normal Republican. Dwight Eisenhower, a past Republican president, would probably be considered as not conservative enough by many of today’s Republicans. Likewise, John Kennedy, a past Democrat president, would probably not be liberal enough for many current Democrats.
Most of the current candidates for president are making outrageous promises which they will never be able to keep because of staunch opposition by the opposing political parties. They also make many outlandish statements to cater to the extremes of their respective parties.
In my opinion, I believe we need less extreme politics and more compromise and cooperation between politicians to get meaningful legislation passed which would help the majority of Americans who are in the middle of the political spectrum.
NATIONAL DEBT
Dana Herbst, Vandalia (Independent)
The United States is now $17 trillion dollars in debt. That’s trillion with a T! That’s trillion as in 12 zeros!
For 40 years now, I’ve watched president after president after president, Congress after Congress after Congress, do nothing but spend-spend-spend and run up the debt (with the exception of a couple years under Clinton).
We are passing this huge problem on to our children, our grandchildren, our great grandchildren and countless future generations.
Most of this debt has come from excessive, irresponsible spending on defense. From B-1 Bombers to Abrams Tanks to nuclear powered aircraft carriers, we spend trillions on defense. Then, we go around the world protecting other countries. And afterward, we spend more money rebuilding their war-torn cities.
Our bridges are falling down, our cities infrastructures are crumbling, our roads are full of potholes, our national parks are in jeopardy, our police and firefighters are laid off, our schools are cutting teachers due to budget shortfalls, and I now have to work until I’m 67 to get my Social Security.
Our political leaders are running this country into the ground and seem to care more for the Middle East than taking care of the United States of America. I hope we all wake up soon and demand that D.C. start putting our citizens first for a change.
EXPERIENCE
Doug Smith, Piqua (Democrat)
The foremost issue of this campaign is finding a candidate with the experience and judgment to deal with the problems besetting our country, foreign and domestic. Someone who is more pragmatic than partisan, who can draw like-minded people of all persuasions actually to do some things to benefit the country as a whole, not just reward special interest groups, and those who are already doing so well that they need no further perks.
Many are making promises that they know they can’t keep, just to gain the support of low-information voters who like what they are hearing, not considering how unrealistic or impossible it may be to keep those vows. It is a very tall task in the current environment, but we need a person who is strong but wise enough to know when to compromise to benefit all concerned, and not dig in their heels in the quest of partisan purity.
INTEGRITY
William Wild, Oakwood (Republican)
There was a time when mishandling of classified material on the scale of the State Department emails would automatically disqualify a candidate for any office, assuming they didn’t want to continue campaigning from a jail cell. There was a time when sharp business practices, multiple bankruptcies and more would likewise disqualify a candidate. There was a time when federal and state government offices were not surrounded by fat wallets suggesting that political favors were for sale. There was a time when political bombast not backed by specific policy or remedial prescriptions sent a candidate to the sidelines. There was a time when no self-respecting journalist would let the smell of corruption go unpursued. And there was a time when citizens, seeing their government wink at crime in favor of ideological goals, would look for a candidate with a record of honesty and integrity.
DRUG ABUSE AND EXPANSIONISM
Russ Joslin, Fairborn (Democrat)
I have two issues that a very important to me — drug abuse and the expansionism of Russia and China.
Our neighborhoods are becoming battlefields. Our children are being caught in the crossfire between dealers and addicts. Robberies and shootings occur daily, due to drugs.
The suppliers are so well armed and protected in their countries, that they are near impossible to stop. The only chance we have is to destroy the source. It’s time to use our drones to spray the countless poppy fields in countries like Afghanistan and Colombia.
Drugs are the main monetary support for terrorists, as well as the cartels and dealers. Cut off the source, and these groups will begin to wipe out each other to control what drugs are left. As these groups shrink and weaken, it will be easier to dismantle them.
This is not a perfect solution by any means, but I’m afraid that it is all we have left.
Regarding the other issue of Russia and China: Vladimir Putin is determined to bring back “Stalinist Russia.” With the breakup of the U.S.S.R. in the 1980s, he is trying to bring the republics back under Russian control and reign as its next czar. He also seems to be willing to do whatever it takes to accomplish this.
China, on the other hand, is increasing its naval fleet, and building islands with military bases and missiles in disputed waters.
In these perilous times, our newly elected president will either take us into World War III or bring us back from the brink of destruction. Selecting our next president will be the most important decision we make.
HEALTH CARE
Glenda Floyd, Xenia Twp. (Independent)
All Republicans say the first thing they would do in office is cancel ObamaCare but they never offer any other plan to cover those who can’t afford insurance if ObamaCare is thrown away. Cancellation of parts of ObamaCare may be good but don’t throw out everything without offering up an alternate plan. In simple terms, don’t throw out the baby with the bathwater. At least keep the baby.
JOBS/ECONOMY
Nancy Bain, Oakwood (Republican)
Republicans need to do a better job of showing how small government results in fewer taxes and produces more jobs. Their starve-the-beast policies seem to have opposite effects and to run counter to the essence of the 10th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.
DISTRIBUTION OF WEALTH
R.K. “Dusty” Roads, Miami Twp. (Independent)
In the past 40 years or so, we have seen the wealthy in this country succeed in putting enough money into political campaigns to sway the votes of the people they support. This has led to massive tax cuts for the wealthy and the transfer of money from the bottom to the top. In Ohio, those tax cuts have led to a reduction in school funding, highway maintenance, funding for cities and in general transfer the cost to the poorest of us. This is based on a theory that has been disproven repeatedly. One statement that has been made by Reagan and both Bushes is that these tax cuts actually result in an increase of tax revenue. That is true, BUT they don’t complete the statement. That increase in the absolute best case only replaces 60 percent of the funds lost due to the tax cut. And it only lasts for a short time.
This effort to return to the robber baron era is having an impact everywhere.
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