Letters to the editor
New York state always wants more
The State University of New York just recently announced that enrollment is at an all-time high — more than 460,000 students. The more than 25,000 new students generate millions in increased revenue. Then right on the heels of that, they want to increase tuition? Good management should be able to absorb the increase of the student population with little to no cost to the current infrastructure.
The root cause of the problem is in Albany, like most of the state’s problems. This tuition increase is exactly the same as the $25 license plate disguised as needed for the educational system.
It is wanted for the state’s general fund, which is New York’s Cookie Monster that always wants more!
—CHANDRA JEFFERSON
ROCHESTER
I will never forget my Honor Flight
I am a proud veteran of World War II, having served my country through several major campaigns.
Recently, I had the privilege of participating in Honor Flight along with other World War II veterans. We spent a day in Washington, D.C., where we visited memorials to those who sacrificed their lives during wars from WWII to Vietnam. The Iwo Jima statue brought tears to my eyes as I remembered fellow Marines and good friends who lost their lives during that landing.
Honor Flight was an experience that will be with me for the rest of my life. The volunteers who accompanied us were gracious, thoughtful, caring and respectful beyond my wildest expectations. They planned everything down to the minutest detail to assure our comfort and enjoyment. All dollars spent on this most memorable experience come from generous donations made by people and organizations from all walks of American life.
I would especially like to thank Vince Hope for the leadership he provides for making Honor Flight the success that it is.
—ABE LEVITT
BRIGHTON
Taxes holding local economy back
There are encouraging economic signs that the recession is ending. While there’s been financial devastation on a national level (15.7 million Americans are currently without a job), our local economy seems immune to many of the negative effects that the rest of the country has experienced. The current national unemployment rate is 10.2 percent; Rochester’s is 8 percent. Home prices in the Rochester area have also remained steady. BusinessWeek recently ranked Rochester 20th among the top 40 strongest U.S. metro economies. Rochester also ranked ninth when it came to home price change and 10th in terms of job growth. Although it might not feel that way to many people in Rochester who are looking for work, our economy is in a good position. The biggest drag on economic progress is taxes. Businesses are trying to survive despite an oppressive tax structure. No wonder businesses are leaving New York, which has the nation’s highest taxes. These taxes will continue to hurt New York’s ability to attract businesses and capital.
—GREG SLABODKIN
VICTOR
Consequences of using civilian trial
One area that hasn’t been publicly discussed regarding the trial of accused terrorists in New York City is how well the prisoners themselves will accept terrorists in the American penal system. Prisoners have expressed strange loyalties in the past. They are American citizens and some have served in the military. They may not tolerate 9/11 Muslim terrorists in the American prison system. They may even revolt if the trial drags on and it is perceived the terrorists are getting preferential treatment over them.
Our prison system is already overtaxed. This could be the “match” that ignites the prisons into rioting action.
—ROBERT STURGEON
PERINTON
Sirota deftly points out flawed logic
David Sirota’s Nov. 15 column, “Hypocrisy of deficit hawks,” articulately described the basic flaw in the argument that “health care reform will be too costly and increase our already exorbitant deficit” which we are loudly and clearly hearing out of the “tea parties” and anti-health-reform politicians. Neither group complains when billions and billions of taxpayers’ dollars are being spent on endless and costly wars and on the defense budget in general. Sirota accurately points out that these same hypocrites are simultaneously backing bigger Pentagon budgets while opposing health care reform. This subscriber would much rather read a column by Sirota than the hate-mongering falsehoods of Cal Thomas or Bill O’Reilly any day of the week.
—LAUREN FRANK
ONTARIO WAYNE COUNTY
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