Editor:

In 2014, voters made their opposition to gerrymandering clear when they voted to authorize the Independent Redistricting Commission to work in a bipartisan fashion to draw maps for our state’s elections, so they were fair and a better reflection of real communities.

This year, however, ballot proposals 1, 3, and 4 jeopardize the hard-fought wins New Yorkers have achieved in regard to redistricting and election integrity, and could help the Majority retain one-party rule for years to come using partisan maps.

Ballot proposal 1 is complex, perhaps by design, and removes a requirement that maps approved by the Independent Redistricting Commission receive an approval vote from a member appointed by each leader of the Legislature, both in the Majority and the Minority. This requirement was implemented intentionally to ensure each party would have meaningful input in the drafting of electoral maps in New York. If proposal 1 passes, there will be nothing stopping the Majority from passing maps through the commission that are designed to protect their own power, and unfairly disenfranchises their political adversaries.

Proposal 1 also removes a requirement that in the event the commission does not vote in favor of a map, that any map then approved by the Legislature be accepted by a two-third majority vote, as that threshold would be lowered to just 60%. This will make it even easier for the Majority to push through self-serving maps in the event they feel the commission’s maps, drafted and voted upon by their appointees, do not do enough to help them electorally. This is another step this proposal takes to weaken the commission and eradicate meaningful bipartisanship from the redistricting process, all to the benefit of the ruling legislative party.

While proponents of ballot proposals 3 and 4 argue they will bolster our democracy, I believe these measures open the door for the abuse of our electoral process and could reduce the faith people have in the integrity of our elections. We’ve seen how mail-in voting can throw elections into disarray last year, when thousands of votes were left uncounted during New York City’s primary elections and when the congressional election held in the 22nd District was left to be resolved in the courts months after voting day.

When combined with same-day voter registration, our local boards of election will be overwhelmed with documents to process and verify, and could have a lesser ability to properly scrutinize them for fraud and inaccuracy. Newly-registered voters will also be allowed to vote on machines rather than through affidavit, which would make it near impossible to disqualify the votes of those found to be ineligible to.

While some of these proposals may sound well-intentioned, I am greatly concerned about the effect they would have on our electoral process and our ability to maintain its integrity. Following a year in which many people have come to question their trust in our basic institutions, we should not be seeking to advance measures that open the door to gerrymandering and foul play.

Do your part to defend our elections by flipping over your ballots this November and voting no on ballot proposals 1, 3, and 4.

Assemblyman Steve Hawley

Batavia

(Assemblyman Hawley represents the 139th District, which consists of Genesee, most of Orleans and parts of Monroe County.)

Editor:

It was stated in an earlier letter for the residents of Barre not to support one-issue candidates that oppose turbines. I guess voting for one-issue candidates that are family members to leaseholders is OK.

The town board, planning board, and zoning board are currently stacked with conflicted members that have pushed through the wind project with disregard to proper procedure and ethics.

Town law was crafted to benefit the wind company and still when the application was filed there was nine issues that conflicted with town law and the board decided not to challenge. The PILOT agreement failed to include the Barre fire district which is a taxing entity within the town.

It was mentioned that the project would enhance Barre. How exactly does 700-foot industrial turbines with bases over 60 feet in diameter do that? As for lower taxes, the board has been very vague on the issue.

Please remember your vote is secret. If you have been misled into signing “good neighbor agreements” this does not “buy” your vote, which is illegal.

Tom Chandler

Barre

Editor:

To the voters of the Town of Murray, I ask that you consider writing me in for Town Supervisor.

I have attended many Town Board meetings and have observed a disfunctional and non-productive process. The Town’s accountant reported that all the Town’s water districts are heading into insolvency. The water losses are about $220 per day, the Town says they’re working on it and have been for the last two years.

Employee compensation, work responsibilities, code enforcement, and proposed zoning changes are issues that have languished. This is not good enough, everyone will pay for this mismanagement. I’m not blaming any one person, but there needs to be some consensus building to resolve the issues facing the town.

I have over 25 years of municipal government experience. I have always done my job despite adversity and pressures. I have overseen large construction projects, written legislation and worked with diverse groups. Elected officials are there to do the people’s work, not to fight. I can build the support to move the town forward.

If you inclined to make a change please write in Ron Vendetti in the space at the bottom of the ballot below the Supervisor line.

Thank you,

Ron Vendetti

Murray

Editor:

“It’s their land, let them do what they want,” is frequently quoted by some bloggers who believe 700’ tall wind turbines and acres upon acres of solar panels should be allowed anywhere and everywhere.

However, fortunately, we live in a society where one is not always allowed to do exactly as they choose…we do, after all, live in a society which abounds with rules and laws meant to protect the health and welfare of the public as well as the environment around us.

Indulge me for the moment as I play upon your imagination. Suppose that I decide to erect a 700’ tall skyscraper on my own land. If there were no rules or laws to follow, I could put up said skyscraper in any fashion I choose, in any spot on my land I choose, and build it in my own way – even with my limited knowledge of building.

Without laws or rules, I could put any number of renters within my structure, any type of roadway, or any type of sewage system (or not) within my building. Let us go further and imagine that I could simply draw my skyscraper and even build it myself – out of nothing more than all the trees that surround me and even side it with scraps from a local dump. After all, it is my land, my dream, my money, and my belief that I will become a millionaire. Regardless of how silly this seems, it is, after-all, “my land” and “my right.”

In reality, I have often thought about different ways that I could make money from being a landowner, but not without first thinking about what the zoning laws, ordinances, and the public would think about my insane ideas. Obviously, my neighbors would be a tad bit upset if I built a 700’ tall skyscraper right next to their home – especially, if there was that chance of it falling over and killing them in their bed. The town would be unwavering to sue me if my skyscraper caught fire and burned the entire town down.

What if I blasted through bedrock as I put my mammoth foundation in and shrugged my shoulders at the destroyed wells, fractured basement walls, or broke a gas well which spews toxic gas into the air? How angry would my neighbors be? What if my heavy equipment ruined roads and the townspeople had to pay for it? What if my building meant that the surrounding towns would be on the hook to pay for the reconstruction and movement of roadways and infrastructure? What if my town was on the hook to pay for my mess should I up and walk away from it all, because I decided to move on?

There are laws and rules in place to protect the health and welfare of our society and our surrounding environment. How much worse would it be if there were laws in place, but I manipulated my town into letting me do what I want by waving a few dollars in the various boards’ faces?

It is vital to protect the health of the public, to preserve the happiness of our neighbors, to protect our natural habitats, and remember that our wildlife needs a voice – who will speak for the trees and for the fowl of the air?

In conclusion, just because it is my land, your land, their land, does not give license to do as one pleases. It is not a right to disrupt the happiness of neighbors, take away their ability to use their own land, cause construction or environmental issues, destroy hundreds of acres of wild habitat, disrupt and kill hundreds of disappearing birds and bats, give rise to the possibility of causing adverse health and welfare effects to those within a town, or cause an entire area to end up financially responsible for my mess. It is not a right to do these things so that one could “possibly” make a quick buck.

Kindly stop using the line, “It’s their land, let them do what they want,” because what “they” want could cost you and your neighbors very dearly – in health, happiness, environmentally, and financially.

Respectfully,

Cindy Burnside – Solid Rock Farms

Barre

Editor:

As the current Deputy Town Clerk for the Town of Ridgeway, I would like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude for those who have continued to support me as I run for Town Clerk.

I am in my third year of service as first Deputy and have learned to perform many of the duties required of a Town Clerk. I have had the privilege of learning directly from Town Clerk, Karen Kaiser, and have attended numerous trainings to further my education and continue learning the numerous tasks that are required in this position.

I am up to date on the many changes that have occurred in this office from the systems used, ongoing projects, and regulations required due to Covid.

I have lived in Ridgeway my entire life and was honored to be able to serve the community that I love. I have been a dedicated, registered Republican and have received the endorsement from the Conservative Party as I am committed to upholding the Constitution and believe strongly in all of its values.

While I have not had the privilege of serving in a public position before and my name may not be as well known as others, I have been honored to serve the residents of Ridgeway in the Town Clerk’s office and hope to continue doing so.

I believe that my knowledge, experience and dedication will provide the highest level of service for Ridgeway and I will continue serving the residents with honesty and respect. I am also running on an Independent line, Laurie Kilburn for the People of Ridgeway.  I ask for your continued support by voting for me on November 2nd.

Sincerely,

Laurie Kilburn

Ridgeway Deputy Town Clerk

Editor:

Over the past 3 years, I have had issues with crosswalk problems. Meaning numerous times, I have almost been struck in the crosswalk, in two areas – North Main Street, East State Street, on the Post Office side and South Main Street and Rt. 31 Crosby’s side.

As of writing this, it happened again on Oct. 19. Drivers need to be aware of people crossing. Once a car came within 12 inches or less – it almost struck me.

Everyone needs to be cautious, paying attention around them. Some drivers think that they are the only ones out there. So please folks, be careful, look, drive smartly. It’s your life that can be saved.

Craig Chamberlain

Albion

In the Beginning

By Darlene Benton 

“In the beginning was the word..” (John 1:1)  Without language, human beings begin life with pure potential, little angels open to their new world. How humans manifest their potential, their unique, souled being, all begins with words.

From our beginning in the womb, the words and thoughts of the mother, the people in the midst of the mother, also begin the process of the development of “Who Am I?” All thoughts create form. Thoughts, words and actions hold energy, they create one’s experience in and of the world.

As science has caught up with what sages, prophets and healers through history have known, it has proven with electromagnetic imaging, thoughts and stimuli create an energetic impulse in every tissue and organ in the body. As a bodyworker working with numerous modalities, I have witnessed what many teachers impressed on me; “Our issues are in our tissues.”

With the overwhelming array of media nowadays, we are not just reading ideas in books and newspapers, we are being spoken to by voices, colorful images, videography and sound effects. As humans, we are born as sponges soaking up the energy of our surroundings. It’s no wonder people are experiencing such pain in their physical and mental being.

Words and images have become such a profound aspect of who we are, from birth, we aren’t aware of who we truly are. Every thought, word and action in our daily life is the result of the words we have been exposed to since conception. Joy, fear, guilt, love, anger; each of our emotions triggered in any experience, have been taught to us since conception. Like a computer, garbage in, garbage out.

Maybe examining how words have shaped our separation from one another instead of bonding us with our fellow humans might be a helpful observation. Listening more than we speak will give us an interesting new perspective. Are the words we hear in our heads, spoken by our mouth or others’ mouths, words to help humanity be as one, or are they words that separate us?

Listen from the heart instead of the mind as if you have no head. See how this feels. Judgment and confusion originate in the mind; from our hearts, love and compassion.

Darlene Benton is the director of Paradise Healing Arts in Albion.

Editor:

An interesting choice awaits voters in Barre on Nov. 2nd: Jerry Solazzo is running for Town Supervisor on a platform of improving the quality of life for all Barre residents and property owners.

A longtime and full-time resident of Barre, this retired school teacher with two Masters degrees and a Doctorate Degree in Natural Health, is also down-to-earth and cares for the health and wellbeing of his neighbors in this town.

He recognizes the damage done to residents’ relationships with one another by recent controversies, and feels it is time to bring healing, fairness and civility back to public life. As Supervisor, he will look beyond wind turbines to the many other important issues that face Barre now, and make the most of the opportunities that are presenting themselves to rural communities today.

People are moving out of urban areas seeking healthier places where their local officials are reasonable and reliable, intelligent and forward looking. Solazzo is all of these.

Furthermore, he is not beholden to any faction in Barre, and will use his gifts to restore professionalism and fairness to the functioning of town government.

For Barre’s sake, I hope her voters will choose Jerry Solazzo as their next Town Supervisor.

Andrea Rebeck

Barre, NY and Nashua, NH

Editor:

From the groundbreaking for our town park upgrade to the upcoming celebration of our town’s 200th anniversary – The Yates Town Board is grateful for the opportunity to serve our community.

On Monday, we broke ground on the $2.531 Million Resiliency and Economic Development Initiative (REDI) Town Park Project. We expect the work to be completed by the summer of 2022.

The project will include a large pavilion with public restrooms, a playground, a kayak launch, a sightseeing pier, and a handicap accessible walking path. The funding for the park upgrade came from a NY State grant, a Lyndonville Area Foundation grant, and some in-kind service work provided by our town highway department.

We are completing our third year of what should be the final year of our efforts to remediate the general town-wide negative reserve fund. Some of the negative reserve was inherited, and some of it was a result of fighting Apex Clean Energy and increases in the fire and ambulance budgets.  While we did raise taxes above the tax cap in 2021, we remained below the 2% tax cap in the previous 4 years and are proposing a budget for 2022 that is below the tax cap.

Through fiscal belt-tightening as well as challenging but fair and earnest negotiations with Town Department Heads, the Lyndonville Fire Company, and the Yates Highway union members, we are very pleased with the recognition of our strong financial forecast as identified by the September 2021 S&P Global Rating of “Stable, A-”.

Our strategic planning efforts are a high priority of our Town Board.  We completed the Yates-Ridgeway-Shelby-Medina-Lyndonville Comprehensive Plan; are nearing completion on Yates-Carlton-Kendall-Lyndonville Local Waterfront Revitalization Program (LWRP); and are looking forward to partnering on a deeper level with the highway and fire departments to ensure appropriate equipment, training and support for the future is planned and budgeted for by developing long term, fiscally responsible goals and action steps to enhance the safety of our community and the employees and volunteers.

Promising economic development initiatives include the opening of Niagara Specialty Foods, a new Mennonite Market Store breaking ground on Route 18, and a recently completed scoping study with the Town of Somerset to explore manure bio-digester renewable energy options for local dairy farmers.

We will continue to fight the state’s efforts to try to eliminate our town’s NYS constitutional right to home rule when it comes to approving, taxing, and siting industrial renewable energy projects.  We most recently enjoined a lawsuit (with no cost to town taxpayers) against the Office of Renewable Energy Siting regarding dictatorial laws and regulations.

Finally, we are very excited that the 200th Anniversary planning committee is in the final stages of producing a plan for the 2022 anniversary year to include: a July “Family Fair” during the July 4th weekend with historical artifacts displayed in the town hall; an August “Harvest Fair” with live music, period children’s games, and locally harvested foods; and a September “Grand Finale Lake Fair” featuring the ribbon cutting of the town park with a formal ceremony followed by live music, birthday cake, and more!

We hope to continue to faithfully serve the Town of Yates.

Please vote for Jim Simon (Supervisor), Harold Suhr (Councilman) and Terry Chaffee, Jr. (Councilman) on November 2nd.

Very Respectfully,

Supervisor Jim Simon

Councilmembers Harold Suhr, Terry Chaffee, Jr., John Riggi and Susan Hrovat

Editor:

I decided to run for the Yates Town Board not because I need the aggravation but because what I have seen happen over the last 6 years I find disturbing.

I threw my full support behind this board. I really thought that things would be different. I campaigned for them. Our committee even endorsed the supervisor at the end of his first term.

This board has raised taxes 6 years in a row with 2021 being the highest at 15.29%. There is also an absolutely unacceptable comptroller audit. Click here for the full report.

The public called for change of our bookkeeping and of the yearly auditor that missed the errors. Our A account was missing 86,000 dollars that to this day is still not fixed. It has caused much hardship for the town. There was a cheaper more competent alternative. Why was there not a change made? Our Supervisor said I quote. “I get to pick the book keeper.” Now the taxpayers are paying more and also paying $14,000 yearly on top of that for software for this “private firm.”

For the first time the town had to bond out in 5-year payments the purchase of a new tractor mower for the highway department at $105,000. A lot of money but town always had saved in reserves. Are we broke? Mismanaged? Supervisor said it’s the last administration’s fault. He has an obsession to put in motion everything in the comprehensive plan update. There were 5,553 surveys sent out with 740 returned in western Orleans. Between 3 towns that’s 13.4%. This should have been DOA. I was told that this was a real good amount of responses by the supervisor, according to the people who were getting many thousands for writing it.

A $2.5 million upgrade to our “remote” town park even though the people living around it were vocally opposed to it. That fell on deaf ears. It has really burdened one in-park property owner. Unclear how much the taxpayers will be paying for yearly maintenance. It’s $10,000 now. Will that double, triple? Also an obsession to obtain the NYSEG property and take $23,000 off the tax rolls for a nature reserve for the park. Other plans include a sidewalk to nowhere. A double-wide sidewalk at the edge of the village with a bike path down to Shadigee. What do you do when you arrive for the few that will use it? All private lanes. A loss of privacy for all, easements needed?

A proposed bike path/nature trail from 63 to Morrison Road down to the park. Did I mention the million-dollar renovation to the town hall? The upstairs with an elevator. Couldn’t we build a new town hall with a million dollars? The $20 million bio-digester that the town will own. They are talking to everyone but the local farmers. All of this obtained through grants. Millions and millions of dollars worth. All of the high maintenance from these projects that bring in bring in no money will be paid for by our small tax base indefinitely. The taxpayers will also have to come up with hundreds of thousands of dollars in matching money for these grants and grant fees. Will a certain area foundation be willing to do more “secret votes” to obtain the matching money again?

The Town broke the agreed contract with our volunteer fire company. Town is responsible for 81 percent, village 19 percent of fire budget. Town refused to pay $15,400 that would go toward a new pumper.

They did pay 2 payments this year but less the $15,400 in the contract. Would have cost the village and town $25,000 each to litigate. Not worth it so our fire department and the public gets the shaft. They passed Oct. 14 an overly generous 4-year union contract that totally disregards the small tax base in this town and economic climate. Then they voted to move forward a budget that raises taxes.

My conclusion is this board is out of touch with the people that they are supposed to serve. It has become controlling and completely self-serving. This is why I am running for a councilman’s seat to make sure money is used properly, to do the town business and put priorities first.

We take in a certain amount of money every year. That’s what you have to live within just like the people that you tax. If there’s any money left you give it back to the people in a tax cut.

I will be your voice. I will be ethical, frugal, and take the oath of office and your constitutional rights seriously. Stop the Tax and Spend.

I ask for your vote on November 2nd on the Conservative or The Lyndonville Taxpayers First line.

Thank you.

Paul Lauricella

Yates

Editor:

Congressman Chris Jacobs voted against raising the debt ceiling. Raising the debt ceiling allows the government to pay for spending already allocated, included spending approved by Mr. Jacobs.

Republicans added $7.8 trillion to the debt just during the Trump administration. Historically, Republicans have added more to the national debt than Democrats. PolitiFact reported (7/23/19), that under President Ronald Reagan “the federal deficit went from about $78.9 billion at the beginning of Reagan’s presidency to $152.6 billion at the end of it.”

At the end of George H. W. Bush, the debt was $255 billion, an increase of $181.3 billion.

At the end of Bill Clinton’s presidency there was a surplus of $128.2 billion. George W. Bush “left office in 2009 with a federal deficit of roughly $1.41 trillion.” That is we went from a surplus of $128.2 billion to a deficit of $1.41 trillion.

President Barack Obama “left the presidency with a deficit of approximately $584.6 billion, which is more than halving $1.41 trillion.”

“President Donald Trump Treasury Department reported that Washington is on track to post a $1.1 trillion deficit by the end of September.” Remember this report was printed in 2019 before the pandemic and the end of Mr. Trump’s presidency.

Mr. Jacobs’s vote wasn’t just foolish it was irresponsible. Moody’s Analytic in a report issued 10/7/21 stated that such an event (a default on the debt), would cause 6 million to lose their jobs and the unemployment would climb to 9%.

A report by the Congressional Accountability Office in 2012 found that even the brinkmanship of 2011 cost taxpayers $1.3 billion and drove up interest rates on homes and cars. Mr. Jacobs’s vote to willingly and knowingly undermine our nation’s financial health is below the dignity of someone representing Western New York.

William Fine

Brockport

Editor:

This letter comes from life-long residents of the Town of Barre.

Our first and most important point is to inform the residents of Barre of the upcoming election in November for council and supervisor positions. Barre has the opportunity to move forward with a project which will enhance the town and offer benefits to each town resident.

The Heritage Wind project is Barre’s opportunity for a new beginning and to make its mark as a pioneer in our county for progress. This clean energy project will provide many financial advantages for school districts, roads and highways, parks and recreational areas and will offer tax breaks for all Barre residents.

Unfortunately  we have opposition in our town who don’t want progress. They want to shut down this opportunity for everyone in Barre. They have vilified the Town Board for doing their job,  which is to consider the proposal, examine the positives and negatives, and make a decision they feel is in the best interest of the town.

Nothing short of slamming the door in Heritage Wind’s face would’ve been acceptable to them.   They are running on one agenda – Stop the Wind Turbines. Electing officials who are clearly running on one agenda is dangerous and counterproductive.

If you are a resident who wants to benefit financially in the form of lower taxes, better roads and parks, and if you want progress make sure you vote for candidates who join town government for the right reasons.

Their agenda is to serve you, working together, growing and keeping our community rural while protecting our values and environment with compassion and enthusiasm!

Vote on Nov. 2nd for Sean Pogue as town supervisor and write-in candidates, Steve Harling and Tom Decker, for Town Board.

Kirk and Alice Mathes

Barre

Editor:

Where is the integrity? Where is the love of community? Multiple signs for Dave Waters and George Mckenna, who are running the Republican and Independent line for councilmen spots this upcoming election, have been stolen and replaced with other signs.

Waters and McKenna won the Republican primary beating out current sitting town board members. They have actively voiced their love and dedication to the community – and their deep desire for the Town Board to have complete transparency.

Regardless of your own political affiliation and beliefs, it is illegal to remove political signs. It is dishonorable, not only to these candidates but to the residents of Barre.

Likewise, putting signs up directly in front of someone else’s political sign is infantile. Your vote is where you should rightfully voice your personal stance, not in actions that belittle the community. Be better Barre!

Barbara Verburg

Barre

Editor:

I find it hard to believe that this news outlet has not covered the outrageous headline, “The Villages of Orleans plans $1.6M expansion into assisted living.”

The Villages of Orleans Health and Rehabilitation Center owners are notorious for making boastful statements on how they will improve the quality of life for the infirmed, yet in reality, it’s how they can provide little, yet profit the most.

On 9/26/2019 Department of State, Division of Corporations, listed a new entity name Albion Retirement Village, LLC. The members of this group are Mr. Evan Lahasky, Mr. David Gast, Mr. Sam Halper, Mr. Shabse Fuch and Mrs. Debbie Korngut.

All five members of this LLC have a percentage of ownership in The Villages Of Orleans Health and Rehabilitation. This group made an application to NYS DOH for Certificate of Need for 25 Assisted Living Program beds and 28 Adult Home beds.

In their application to the state they said they were “seasoned healthcare and business executives” and all bring “experience that will benefit this endeavor.”

Now let me get this straight, a facility that is currently under the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services “Special Focus Facility Program” due to their lack of expertise in supplying proper PPE and proper execution of infection control measures should now be allowed to operate an assisted living and adult care home?

They have clearly demonstrated since Mr. Benjamin Landa signed the paperwork to buy the nursing home in 2014 that they do not hold any expertise in operating a well-run facility. They have failed our community. They have no local ties here. The residents are dollar signs, not fragile lives that need tender care.

Their expertise at skirting state mandates, rules and regulations, and acquiring state funding is truly what they are good at. What did they do with the $853,236 from the CDC Provider Relief Fund which they received for fighting the Covid-19 virus?

For the families who witnessed the spiral down event of the handling of Covid-19 in this facility, they will certainly agree that they felt helpless and outraged.

For the NYS Public Health and Health Planning Council to even consider the authorization for the additional beds only makes me wonder how much research have they done seeing how they hold a one-star rating which is the lowest overall rating that a nursing home can receive. A one-star rating indicates that the nursing home shows evidence of significantly poor levels of care.

The Villages is not their only nursing home that they are involved with that have this low rating, but that’s a lecture for another day.  This should be a no-go project. They should be made to demonstrate their “expertise” in managing what they currently have before moving forward. For those of us who have experienced the no hot water for years, no heat, no air conditioning, sitting for hours in feces and urine due to no staff, the mystery food on the tray and the total lack of human compassion for their staff, residents and families, we say to NYS…..review your documents again and do your job! Protect those who need us the most!

Kelly Bentley

Albion

Editor:

The debt ceiling brouhaha is set to come in December. Refusal to raise the debt ceiling is a subterfuge. The so-called debt ceiling does not allow bigger budgets in the future but, rather, is used to pay for debts already incurred. That includes our Social Security.

The Federal government borrows liberally from our Social Security Trust Fund at a low fixed rate. Therefore raising the debt limit is needed to pay our bill. But there is a double whammy as we pledge the taxing power to secure the bonds (debt) we issue which are paid at market rate.

So if the debt limit is not raised we not only have no money to repay Social Security but also our other creditors who are required to be paid first under the terms of our bonds.

Social Security recipients can not force prompt payment as they can not apply penalties and demand higher interest. Regular creditors can. And if they don’t want to lend interest rises, taxes rise artificially, and people lose their jobs.

The debt ceiling is unsound financial management. It’s a smoke job just like claiming the debt ceiling is meant to save money. Both, all, share the purpose of serving up out of context sound clips and block tax increases on the rich to repay the increased national debt.

But while tax breaks increase debt that debt is not like the two current targeted infrastructure bills. FDR, Truman, Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon and Ford understood that investment in making life better for the middle class brings huge returns for all. Day care puts people in the job market. Many are economies of scale – like being able to take the bus to work rather than buy and pay for a car.

It’s like business not having to pay for hugely expensive health insurance but having more money to build factories and hire the people to run them. (Medicare gives the same service 25 percent cheaper due to lower overhead and being not for profit.) It’s like buying less oil and using the money to build.

Defaulting on the debt will costs jobs and risk recession. It means more decades of economic uncertainty for the middle class which gets sooner or later gets the bill.

We are finally being offered smart changes again – a New New Deal – and we should grab it.

It is so sad that so few remember this country’s heyday and how smart government investment and debt we paid for made it happen for all, not just a few. The goal was to be sure the infrastructure – physical and social – was in place so all of us could go as far as an individual’s will and talents could take him or her.

Conrad F. Cropsey

Albion