Letters to the Editor - June 15

How About Taxes For U.S. Aid?
Editor, Times-Dispatch: Somewhere, somehow, Congress is looking to come up with $200 million to give to the Palestinians in the guise of humanitarian aid. Where are they going to get it? Haven't we expended enough on foreign aid? It is interesting that an American family man who has just lost his job is seeking aid himself to take care of his family.

This is the same individual who has paid his taxes year after year, but ends up with nothing but unemployment checks. It is easy to imagine where his tax money has gone. Congress will now use his tax money to give Palestine humanitarian aid.

Robert L. Vidrick Sr.
Mechanicsville.

Legislators are set to make big changes to the way we receive and pay for our health care this summer. June marks the self-imposed deadline for Congress to introduce health reform legislation so that it can be voted on by the end of this summer.

In recent weeks we have witnessed positive developments for reform. Interested stakeholders, including the pharmaceutical makers, hospitals, and insurance companies, have pledged to reduce health costs to help pay for the changes being proposed, a hurdle some said would prevent reform.

This means that time is running out for you to contact your legislator. There is little doubt that millions of Americans will rally for or against the reform legislation when it is introduced, but to influence what is included, now is the time to speak up. Follow Bernard's example and tell your legislator what changes you want to see included in health reform legislation. Nicole L. Pugar, Virginia Health Access Network.


Richmond.

Time for Leadership; Republicans Are Ready
Editor, Times-Dispatch: What is the main difference between Democrats and Republicans? It's simple: Democrats nominate and vote for politicians while Republicans nominate and vote for leaders. This was proven once again at the Republican State Convention in Richmond. We voted for leadership in our nominees for governor (Bob McDonnell), lieutenant governor (Bill Bolling), and attorney general (Ken Cuccinelli).

We need leaders who will grasp Old Glory in one hand, the Republican banner in the other, say a prayer to the Lord, and then march into battle with their heads held high. This what the people demand of their leadership -- not politicians who waver in the face of adversity or change their beliefs for the sake of personal ground, but rather who stand their ground to protect our rights and freedoms.

Democrats believe that they can buy their way into public office. They will use any tactic to sway public perception on any issue. They proudly cling to the "audacity of hope" as their propaganda message. That's fine, let the Democrats continue to hope while the Republicans continue to lead.

The time has come to strengthen our party and re-instill core values back into our communities. Politicians do not make communities better, they just make their own pockets deeper. Strong leaders who protect family values, stand up and defend our principles, and who fight to preserve our freedoms and our constitutional rights are exactly what the commonwealth needs.

McDonnell, Bolling, and Cuccinelli have proven their commitment as noble public servants by their deeds. We can't afford to cling to hope and wait for our entitled government handouts. We must get to work doing the business of the people and start making our communities better. It's time we stop talking and start doing what needs to be done.

Donald W. Rakes.
Rixeyville.

First he tells us that the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) finds that Iran's pursuit of nuclear energy is peaceful, not military. This is wrong. Recently an IAEA information circular (INFCIRC/749) noted the director general's serious concerns about the possible military dimensions of Iran's nuclear program and called on Iran to cooperate fully to resolve those issues.

Second, Wilayto tells us that Iran's president has never called for wiping Israel off any map. Apparently it's a myth, a mistranslation. This is wrong. In a June 4, 2009, editorial, the Voice of America had this to say: "President Ahmadinejad has repeatedly called for Israel to be wiped off the map." U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice asked the United Nations Security Council "to convene again to take up the matter of one member of the United Nations calling for the destruction of another member of the United Nations, in a way that simply should not be allowed." Her reference was to Ahmadinejad.

Third, Wilayto says our new administration continues to demand that Iran surrender its sovereign right to pursue nuclear power for peaceful energy. Wrong, again. President Barack Obama has in the past few days reaffirmed the U.S. position, which clearly supports Iran's development of nuclear energy for peaceful, not military, purposes.

Norton Rubenstein.
Richmond.