Romney fortune built through legal means

Eugene Robinson’s column “Romney’s got wrong assets for presidency” (July 8) contains some rather unique thoughts. He says that it isn’t “whether people can relate to a candidate who has lots of money. It’s whether they will connect with a man who didn’t make his money the old-fashioned way but by … (taking) advantage of arcane opportunities that most people never even know about.” Let’s see, what is the “old-fashioned way?”

Franklin Delano Roosevelt and John F. Kennedy inherited theirs. Dwight Eisenhower and Barack Obama wrote books. Lyndon Baines Johnson’s wife made their fortune on TV stations. George W. Bush was an oil man and Bill Clinton’s wife was vastly successful in beef futures. I assume these are “the old-fashioned way” Robinson speaks of; none earned their fortune with a pick and shovel.

Though Mitt Romney has built his fortune complying with the tax codes of the United States, I suspect he had the advice of a pretty knowledgeable tax attorney to whom, I suspect, he paid a decent fee.

Most of us didn’t inherit a pile of money, haven’t written successful books, had a wife who made it big in television ownership or successfully rolled in the money betting on beef futures. Yet, I suspect we could all vote, without guilty consciences, for those who did. In fact, we’ve proven we can.

I further suspect that we can vote for somebody who legally used money to make money and paid all he owed in taxes, a practice not all politicians follow until exposed and, then, only reluctantly.

GEORGE D. TIMM Fort Wayne

Fire ban no fun, but it is sensible

On July 4 I looked up in the sky and saw no fireworks. At Boy Scout camp we have no campfire. The fire ban has taken all the fun out of this time of year. The last time I was camping, we had to go to Subway to get our food.

This may take the fun out of summer, but I am glad that the fire ban is active. It is the fire ban that keeps us from being like Colorado. I think the city of Fort Wayne should keep the fire ban active until it is safe to light fire.

JARED NEWTON Fort Wayne

Storm sparks concern over long-dead trees

On July 9 I was picking up limbs and brush that fell on June 29. I had filled two large garbage containers, and Todd Delagrange came by and offered to come help me.

He showed up an hour later with two other neighbors and they cleaned up my yard, which had four trees down. My son, Allen Hetrick, had cut up all the trees already, so the pick-up was a big job for me.

I’m wondering when the neighbor will cut two large trees that have been dead for a year. The electricity lines will come down if they don’t take care of these dead trees. After five and a half days without electricity, this is frightful!

JOYCE KAMMEYER Woodburn

Aqua Indiana troubles cry for city intervention

I have been following with interest the recent media discussions of the chronic inability of Aqua Indiana to provide adequate water for the citizens of Fort Wayne and Allen County who live in the Aboite Township area. It is especially bothersome to see the company blame those who reside in Aboite for the problem.

Here’s my solution: Fort Wayne City Utilities should acquire Aqua Indiana based on, for example, the average of three reasonable appraisals. Then the good citizens of Aboite will be provided higher-quality water at a lower cost (this has been well documented) and water will actually be available when it is needed.

TOM HAYHURST Fort Wayne

Pence’s 9/11 comparison cannot be unintentional

Indiana Republicans will care not one whit that in a House Republican Conference Meeting Rep. Mike Pence compared the Supreme Court’s ruling on the Affordable Care Act to the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. In fact, many Republicans might even agree with his comparison.

Without having heard or read his full statement, considering the audience to whom he addressed his remarks, I believe he said exactly what he meant to say. Why he later deemed it necessary to say he made an unfortunate statement and his remarks were thoughtless, I can only imagine.

But, no matter! In Indiana, as long as the big “R” precedes or follows your name, you’re a shoo-in to be elected governor. But, before he makes another ill-advised statement, he might want to give some serious thought to the Eighth Commandment.

BARB MYERS Fort Wayne

Pence pushing false feeling of compassion

Mike Pence, our nonresident candidate for governor, would have us believe that he’s a man of compassion. Don’t be fooled. This guy is as cold as an arctic winter.

Pence has likened the Obama administration’s health care law to the disastrous 9/11 attacks upon our nation. And for Pence it is. In his warped view, we need to have 30 million Americans, including children, suffering without adequate health care as well as millions of average workers without the right of collective bargaining. Why? Because these folks will provide the labor pool from which Pence’s big business buddies can draw their workers – cheap labor for powerful bureaucrats.

The object here is to create a class of poor serfs to make the greedy rich even richer. These are the billionaires who own Pence’s votes in Congress.

For those who want to hand over even more power to the super rich, Pence is the man: our man Mike. But for those who want fairness and justice, especially for the struggling poor and lower middle class and their children, Pence as governor will be a disaster for Indiana.

THOMAS E. SAGENDORF Hamilton

Cellphone use leading to more cycle crashes

After reading of the lawsuit from the daughter of Mary and James Hendrickson (July 10), a few things came to mind.

Has this case been fully investigated? Was there a cellphone involved? Has the driver’s cellphone been checked for activity at the time of this horrible accident? Are the attorneys in this case “ambulance chasers” or were they sought out by the plaintiff? I noticed that attorney fees were mentioned. My wife and I have just recently sold our motorcycle because there are so many people in cars and trucks texting on their cellphones while driving. Every time I have had a near miss in the last 5 to 10 years, there has been a cellphone in the hands of the other driver. I have even seen the cellphones tethered on steering wheels.

It is hard for me to understand that this is all this young lady needs. She has just lost two of the most-loved and important people in her life. Maybe it’s a little too soon for her to take such a large step in the judicial system. I only hope that her attorneys have this well under control. The bills for this will be coming in long after a lawsuit can be closed.

Lawmakers in this state have lost sight of the real problem with cellphones. It is not only the young new drivers; it is also the adults. Are the laws made to protect the lawmakers also because they enjoy using their cell phones while driving? We all know how busy they are and need to multitask while driving. Maybe it has not affected their lives yet so it isn’t a problem yet.

RANDALL JOHNSON Fort Wayne

Illegal aliens drain nation of resources

Here we go again, wanting to make the illegal aliens who invaded this country legal again under the DREAM Act. President Reagan did it the first time; it was wrong and it gave the green light for more to keep coming. We have anti-American legislators supporting the DREAM Act from both parties. And we have churches and other organizations that support illegal aliens over Americans. But the Democratic Party, which used to support American workers, is turning its back on them by allowing illegal aliens to take their jobs.

It is financially breaking our country by giving 12 million unemployment compensation for up to two years and welfare. If we would just fine the employers who hire illegal aliens, they would go back to their country.

If you think it’s bad now, you have no idea how bad it will get really soon because we are so deep in debt.

THOMAS P. ADKISON Albion

Noble Country pantry filling acute needs

Generosity is a large part of the Albion community.

The Central Noble Food Pantry Board of Directors and Clients wants to express its gratitude for the many contributions of food and products for those in need in our community. There are many different organizations, clubs, churches and individuals, through their donations of products, volunteering or financial aid, that make our pantry possible. The list is long and appreciated.

The need for products continues. Most items go out the door as quickly as they come in. The lack of rain has had a definite effect on area gardens. But if you find yourself with extra produce, please remember the pantry would put it to good use. We are also at a new low with meat products and funds to purchase more.

I have had children tell me they had no food at home until they came to the pantry. I have seen and comforted adults as they cried when they received a helping hand through your generosity. I am proud to know you and be a part of this community.

BONNIE BROWNELL Albion