We’re not represented

As our federal government prepares to give the financial industry up to $700 billion, I submit that this is taxation without representation. The last time I looked, all of our senators and our president and the current presidential candidates are millionaires. How many of us in Albany or any other city fall in that category? How can they represent us when they have no idea what it is like to live on a $40,000 to $60,000 budget?

We have watched the CEOs of so many companies run their companies into the ground and then be given a massive golden parachute when they are let go. Then they are usually picked up by another company whose CEO or board is a buddy.

Our government — both parties — has watched this happen for years and has not had the guts or nerve to step in.

Now they talk about doing something, but will they really?

Does anyone have any ideas how we, the average Americans, can fight against this problem?

Steve Ker, Albany

Communicate with fire district

I was elected to the Lebanon City Council four year ago and since that time I have followed the premise that a councilman’s first duty is the accountability of the taxpayer’s money. To me accountability means all moneys collected by the city of Lebanon will be spent on the projects for which it has been collected.

To me the No. 1 responsibility of a Lebanon City Councilor is maintaining the safety and health of the citizens of Lebanon.

Main objectives to do this are:

(1) Provide an adequate water supply to meet the needs of the citizens of Lebanon and the needs of the Lebanon Fire Department. (2) Provide a sewer system that meets the needs of all entities within the boundaries of our jurisdiction.

(3) Provide a police department with the equipment, tools and manpower to enforce all laws of the land. They also must be able to protect all persons from harm. (4) Make sure the citizens of Lebanon are provided the best available ambulance service and fire department.

During the Sept. 10 council meeting, the city administration department presented the council with a proposed ordinance that would create a North Gateway Urban Renewal District. A member of the fire district board presented a proposal for $4,900,000 additional revenue needed for capital repairs, equipment needs and training costs they will need to service the URD during the 23 years their tax revenue will be frozen.

The Lebanon Fire District said the proposal was sent to the city so they could be involved the planning of the URD. The city of Lebanon said it received it but didn’t reply to it or ask the Fire District to be involved in the planning of the URD.

The council was not informed of the fire district’s proposal. The City of Friendliness must have an open communication with the fire district that provides these services for the citizens of Lebanon and work with them.

Ray Weldon, Ward 1 Councilman, Lebanon

Wrong on energy policy

Today I watched on C-SPAN my current congressman, Peter DeFazio, rant and rave like a good old-time Democrat. Boy, the yelling and gesturing (between looks at his prepared speech) was right out of Tammany Hall. It would have been fun to watch except it was on the wrong side of an issue of great importance to everyone in his district. Energy.

Old Pete was screaming about the huge profits made by the oil companies but failed to mention that taxes paid by those companies exceeded twice their profits. He was speaking is support of an energy bill that not only stifles meaningful oil field development but seeks to ban the most effective drilling forever. Talk about out of touch!

But then I have to remind myself that his strength lies in Eugene and the thousands of young voters yet to accomplish anything meaningful, provide for anyone but themselves or even have an original thought.

Old Pete has no real opposition this election. I have voted for him in the past, but his misguided confidence in this election has led him off the reservation. In November I will write-in Mickey Mouse.

Mike Downs, Lacomb

We’ll pay through inflation

We have all heard the expression, “It must get worse before it gets better.” I have always asked how much. We are just now having a sample serving of “how much.” The answer is “much more.”

Debts the size of our national debt, and now contemplating adding another trillion to it, can never be paid off in conventional terms. They are simply “neutralized” over time by devaluing the currency in which they are written (inflation).

Inflation under capitalism can never be stopped, but a continuous effort is exerted to slow the rate. Inflation is the way that the rest of us, 98 percent of us, will pay for this incredible crime that is being perpetrated against us.

I have some suggestions. Freeze all the assets of the suspected perpetrators. Seize the “golden parachutes.” Freeze all foreclosures, pending realistic solutions. Nationalize the entire U.S. financial business world — banking, insurance, savings and loans, and Wall Street. If we must buy them out, let’s own them. They should be run as a public service.

Manufacturing companies make things. Finance does not. It only manipulates our money. Like all casinos, only they know the odds — we always pay, sooner or later.

Then if we care about the survival of our species, we must abandon imperialism, stop the waste of war and other nonsensical uses of resources and work toward world cooperation, instead of world competition. Leave superstition and paranoia behind. Do you really care about your grandchildren?

Ed Hemmingson, Albany

Back to a great nation

The editorial Sept. 18, “Cause of trouble: Debt,” was right on. It should come as no surprise that our country is close to the Great Depression of the 1930s!

Easy credit was one of the main causes as banks failed, businesses went under. The nation recovered in a great way over the years. The signs of “history repeats itself” have been ignored by our leaders of government and our people as easy credit made it possible for people to live beyond their means.

More businesses have moved overseas where labor is cheaper, putting many of our people out of work. New jobs have been developed as the electronic age has grown. Now many of these jobs are moved abroad and more people are out of work.

It we could or would bring the industries sent to other countries back home, put our citizens back to work, be willing to pay the increased cost and adjust our wants to our needs, it would help our country return to the great nation it was and can be again.

Ellen Madarus, Albany

Sarah Palin and St. John

Regarding Gov. Palin:

St. John in the Bible says, “He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.” St. John 8:7. Enough said.

Ruth Horn, Sweet Home