Published: April 05, 2008 06:57 pm            

LETTERS: April 6, 2008

Obama is his choice for change



I have been a registered Republican for years and I have always voted Republican during Presidential elections. America desperately needs a change.

I really believe America cannot afford another four more years of a Republican administration nor a Democratic Clinton administration.

The past 20 years have been the Bush and the Clinton administrations. Are we really better off today? When are we going to wake up and demand changes and a better government?

A terrible war, a terrible economy, a stock market going down, gas prices going up, health costs and health insurance going up. This is all because of poor leadership and bad decisions. If you dispute this check out your IRA and your retirement 401K plans. Saving rates are at an all time low.

Hillary Clinton is not going to provide united leadership. Just tell me one thing she has really accomplished. Remember back to the 1990s when she was given the task on health care? She failed miserably. Because of her past and ego she is a divider of Congress and Washington. Hillary has too many skeletons in her closet.

I really believe Obama can unite Congress. Barack Obama gives America a new hope and new ideas for the future. I think Obama is very intelligent and capable in his quest to make America and the world a better place.

I believe he is sincere in his desire to change the American political system to a system that will serve all Americans. The rich, middle class and the poor will prosper with new leadership from Barack Obama.

If Hillary Clinton is the Democratic nominee, the Republicans will easily win the Presidential election. The only hope for Democrats is if Barack Obama wins the Democratic nomination.

Barack will get votes from the Republicans and Independents that Hillary has no chance of getting. Should Hillary win the nomination, all those votes will go to John McCain.

Electing John McCain or Hillary Clinton will be four more years of the same government and leadership we have been receiving the past 20 years of the Bush and Clinton administrations.

Do you really want that to happen?

Help us make America strong.

— Ray Beaufait, Charlestown





Jeff reader wants outlet mall



Once again on a trip out of town I had the fun and pleasure of shopping at an outlet mall just teeming with customers. This is just my humble opinion but I think this might just be what Jeffersonville needs on the other side of Veterans Parkway.

I am tired of getting bits and pieces of information about what may or may not be going on and that there are are some big box stores interested. OK, but in the mean time Clarksville is kicking our collective butts in landing businesses and the Holmans Lane area doesn't seem to be having a problem either.

Opry Mills, Prime Outlets of Georgia and Tanger Mall in Gatlinburg are always packed and I don't see why this wouldn't work here. We have the draw, supposedly, with Bass Pro so expand on that. The new proposed hotels in Clarksville, the fact that the closest outlet is Edinburgh, the conventions and shows that are to be held at the Kentucky Fair and Expo would be a huge draw, not to mention Derby lead up traffic.

We have the success potential in our own backyard but apparently the windows of the powers that be have the shades pulled tight.

— Marcia Schmitt, Jeffersonville



Would you work without contract?



I am a Floyd County taxpayer, and a grandmother. My grandson attends Georgetown Elementary School. He has all “A”s or at least on the honor roll. It is because he has some wonderful teachers.

I haven't been able to find any articles concerning this contract. We need those contracts settled. I wonder, how many people would work a job without a contract? Would you buy a house without a contract? Something to think about.

— Rita Tooley, Georgetown





Music piracy is too common



For the past four years, there has been a rapid decline in music sales, threatening the livelihood of countless musicians. Even though the music industry is suffering greatly from lack of sales, there certainly has not been a decline in interest, the opposite is actually the case.

Through the innovations of Apple and other companies, music has become an innate part of the American lifestyle. The result of music sales’ freefall is certainly not due to lack of interest, but to the now accepted practice of music theft.

The number of Americans who steal copyrighted music on a regular basis is quickly growing, and one is hard-pressed to find anyone who abstains from the activity. Sadly, the thieves are often avid music fans themselves, and they do not realize that they are destroying the industry they love so much.

The total disregard of ethics in music piracy is startling, but it seems that only those who are actively involved in the music industry are concerned. Music theft is becoming easier and easier to do every day, and the only thing that can save this art form is the responsibility and morality of its dedicated fans.

— Aberlyn Sweetland, New Albany



Where will ‘pool rats’ go?



Camille Wright pool is closing this summer. I don’t like it.

I’ve worked there for two years so it seems like that’s why I’d be upset, but I can find work elsewhere. It’s just after lifeguarding there I got to know the regulars. We called them “pool rats.” Those kids really did come every single day.

But now that the pool is closed, I don’t know what they’re going to do. Even though they are sometimes troublemakers, they aren’t bad kids. I’m worried that without the pool they won’t have anywhere to be kids and they are going to end up in real trouble.

The truth is Camille Wright was never the family-oriented country club that New Albany wanted it to be, but it did give plenty of good kids a place to grow up. It shouldn’t be closed.

— Max Hollingsworth, Floyds Knobs

        

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