Seniors’ program in jeopardy

The Democratic-controlled ways and Means Committee has essentially de-funded Project Oregon Independence. This 25-year-old state program was once the show piece of Oregon’s leadership in progressive social services. It enables elder citizens to stay in their homes as they age, thus avoiding nursing homes and other institutions. This program not only gives dignity to a major sector of our fellow Oregonians, but operates at approximately 20 percent of the cost of other support programs.

This cost-effective program is being deleted from the state’s budget. For the next two years it will be partially funded ($12 million of the required $16 million) through undesignated sources, called the “float.” I find this decision a slap in the face of those who paid their taxes before us.

This is happening when Oregon is experiencing a $152,000,000 windfall of extra revenues. When 53 percent to 61 percent of the state budget is controlled by education, is one-third of 1 percent too much to devote to the vulnerable elderly portion of this state’s citizens? Once lost, it will never return.

I know no way to convince the current leadership to keep this established and successful program. Please lend your voice in protest and don’t passively accept what is wrong.

Charles Gascoigne, Albany

Speak up for your country

Go U.S.A! Pass it on or stand up for America! I’m sorry, but after hearing they want to sing our national anthem in Spanish, enough is enough already! It was not sung in Italian, Japanese, Polish, German, Irish (Gaelic), Portuguese, Greek, French or any other language here in America because of immigration. It was written by Francis Scott Key and should be sung word for word as it was written.

Sorry if this offends anyone, but I am offended myself. This is my country. If it is your country, speak up! I am not against any immigration — just come through like everyone else — legal. Get a sponsor, a place to live, get a job, pay taxes, live by our rules and learn the language as many immigrants have done in the past and get citizenship and God bless America.

Part of the problem: Think about this.

If you don’t agree with this for fear of offending someone, you’re part of the problem. Will we still be a country of choice and still be America if we continue to make the changes forced on us by people of other countries who come to live in America because it is the country of choice? Think about it!

All I want to say is, when will someone do something about my rights? Why must we continue to press for English on the phone all the time? We’ve gone so far the other way, bent over backwards to not offend anyone, that I am now offended. But, it seems no one has a problem with that. How about you?

“In God We Trust” is our national motto. Let’s keep it. It must be appropriate to display in our school, on our money and in our hearts. It’s time for America to speak up. If you agree then do something about it now. I just did. May God keep blessing America and its people. And may we all keep in mind what we stand for and stand up for it.

My best friend is a legal immigrant and neighbor for 39 years!

Gloria Young, Albany

Enactment: Not just complaints

I was disappointed in the front page coverage of the Civil War re-enactment. Of course, you always get complaints, but I felt that to cover the event with only complaints was inexcusable.

The cannons only fired for less than a half hour, twice a day for two days. I have heard Fourth of July fireworks that shake the ground more and are louder. I wonder if the complainers even went to watch the event.

Speaking for the folks who were in my party, we enjoyed every minute of the day. The manners of the re-enactors, from the youngest to the eldest; the setups of the camp; all the accoutrements authentic to the time were most interesting.

I was happy to hear so many school children had a chance to witness the living history museum. So little of our past is taught in our public schools, most children, and yes, even adults, don’t even know what it is all about. To be able to walk in the footsteps of history in this way has a greater power to teach than reading it in a book.

Thanks to Ingalls Associates for bringing this event to Lebanon.

Elizabeth Lamb, Albany