They are loved
Two young people in their early 20s were sitting nearby the other day as I was having lunch. The conversation they were having was both heartfelt and sad. The young man was lamenting the lack of stability in his life and in our society. The girl was saying, in effect, "Why doesn't someone love me?"
Both of them were speaking, but neither of them was listening to what the other was really saying. They were talking to each other because nobody was paying attention to what they thought, or how they felt.
Have we not created this situation with our climate of performance, self-love, and indifference as parents and adults? We listen to our young people, but do we hear them? We look at them, but do we really see them? It is very easy to be dismissive rather then to be engaging.
The hope of a society has always been in its youth, and we are failing in that task, quite miserably in fact. Before it is too late, connect with the young people in your life and let them know that they are important, and that they are loved.
William E Scott
Traverse City
A closed deal?
Say auto industry, think ... Delaware?
The article in the Oct. 28 Record-Eagle announcing the new hybrid plant in Delaware was good news for the economy.
It seems Fisker Automotive "won approval" for a "government loan for $528.7 million." They are purchasing a General Motors (now Government) plant for their operation that will support 2,000 factory jobs and more than 3,000 vendor and supplier jobs.
Where were all the Michigan Representatives and Senators looking out for Michigan? They should be aware of the pending loans and bailouts in process and where the money is going. Our unemployment rate is the highest in the country and the auto industry rate is near 20 percent.
I'm sure there are a number of auto plants in our state sitting idle or shut down which would have loved to have had the opportunity to bring the hybrids here and the jobs that go with the operation.
It's also interesting that Delaware is the home state for Vice President Joe Biden, who announced the deal.
Maybe it was a closed deal for our VP.
John Harkins
Benzonia
The party of 'no'
We have seen Republican members of Congress not showing up for a committee meeting on energy legislation. What is needed is a comprehensive national energy policy that addresses clean coal, nuclear power, natural gas and wind and solar power, but GOP members decided not to show up.
The party of "no" has sided with private health care providers and is rejecting a comprehensive overhaul of the health care system.
While Republicans "stonewall" this process, insurance premiums have tripled, co-pays and deductibles have increased, and individuals and families are left with no affordable coverage.
The GOP is against regulations holding banks and financial institutions responsible and making their actions transparent; these same financial institutions brought our economy into a deep recession and have a "death grip" on our economy and government.
The GOP leadership needs to decide if they are going to address and contribute to the debate and solve the many problems associated with energy policy, affordable health care and the regulation of financial institutions or just become extinct.
If so, the party of "no" should step aside and let the other party solve the issues that affect us all.
Ronald D. Dykstra
Beulah
Effect of laws limited
In response to the Record-Eagle's negative stance on guns on campus: It is time to realize that you have nothing to fear from a law-abiding citizen carrying a concealed pistol on a school campus. Laws only affect those who are willing to follow them. If a person chooses to bring a weapon on a campus, or anywhere for that matter, and use it to harm another, they are going to do that no matter the number of laws they have on the books.
Armed, law-abiding citizens give others the chance to survive the cruel behavior of others.
Laws only affect those who are willing to follow them.
Jason Brown
Traverse City
Save lives instead
As the wife of a Grand Traverse County Road Commission employee, it feels like a slap in the face to these workers and their families to "hire more seasonal workers" to "veer" away from expenses. Many of these employees were just called back to work on Nov. 2, after being laid off since April 30.
Shouldn't the safety of all drivers on our roads be the main concern? That being said, these drivers have experience on the same routes year after year. I don't think it is worth giving that up to save money. Let's save lives instead.
Beth Grumley
Lake Ann
Won't ensure recovery
Rising unemployment, lower consumer and private business sector spending, but an increase in government spending does not an economic recovery make.
The federal government is either intentionally trying to destroy the U.S. economy, in which case it is criminal, or they are totally void of understanding of sound financial principles.
In either case, we are in trouble. Unbridled government spending does not now nor will it ever work to ensure a recovery.
Russ Held
Manton
Complete, unbiased
I want to thank the editors for publishing FactCheck.org reports. Their recent explanations and critiques of the various political party positions on health care reform and cap and trade of carbon emissions have been complete, unbiased, honest and rational.
I recommend that all your readers spend the time to read these analyses.
Deborah Gilbert
Leland
