We Have the Power to Change Our Government

The Constitution of the United States says, "We the people of the United States." It does not say we the president's men, we the vice president's oil cabal, we the Congress, we the lobbyists or we the military-industrial complex. What it does say is: "We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect Union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America." What a powerful statement! But many citizens do not use their power, will not register to vote or, if registered, say, "Why bother, my vote doesn't matter?" Could it be because of the corruption in Washington, D.C.? Members of Congress are now saying that they're going to change rules and regulations to reform the process, but they already have rules and regulations. Why have they not been enforced, and where are the checks and balances that are supposed to be built into the system? We have a monopoly in Washington. While the President, Senate and House are controlled by one party with instructions on how to vote coming down from the leadership, while the patriotism of dissenters is questioned. We the people are the losers. If our elected officials were honorable and working for us, there would not be such arrogance and greed. We don't send them to Washington to enrich themselves. It is time to break the monopoly. Everyone needs to vote, with minorities and those who feel disenfranchised brought into the process. This year's congressional elections give us an opportunity to make changes, to elect men and women who represent us with our interests at heart. Then, after they're elected, we must hold them accountable and on course. We the people have the power to change our government; no one can do it for us.

BETTIE REINA

Milmay

Letter published in the Daily Journal, January 24, 2006

LoBiondo Isn't So Independent

Talk to Frank LoBiondo, hear him speak to groups like the AARP or in media interviews, and one always hears how independent from the Washington leadership he is. But as the Jack Abramoff guilty plea spreads like ripples in a pond, members of Congress connected to Abramoff through Tom DeLay are scurrying around trying very hard to disassociate themselves from both men. And our own LoBiondo, in spite of claiming independence, has voted with DeLay an astounding 88 percent of the time over the last couple of years. LoBiondo also voted to change House ethics rules so that DeLay could remain as majority leader. It seems that LoBiondo gets his voting instructions from the party leadership even to the point of being allowed to vote against the party on occasion so as to give the appearance of independence. His independent votes come when they have little or no impact on the outcome. But when his vote is needed, as in the recent cruel cuts of social programs, LoBiondo votes with the party.LoBiondo has sold out, not only his constituents, but all low- and middle-class Americans. If LoBiondo cannot support us, then he certainly does not need our support this November when he comes up for re-election.

KAREN PADMORE

Cape May Court House

Letter published in Press of Atlantic City, January 23, 2006

Stop Cutting Workplace Safety Funds

The 12 miners killed in the West Virginia mine explosion have been put to rest. And, it appears, so has the underlying story. But the media has misplaced its emphasis on the story. Instead of news, we are fed entertainment. It is no secret that the Bush administration has provided corporate interests great savings by cutting back on workplace safety. The budgets of workplace watchdogs such as the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and, specifically, the Mine Safety and Health Administration have been cut every year since President Bush took office in 2001. Mr. Bush's policies that ease restrictions on greenhouse emissions have led to an increase in coal mining at the same time budget cuts are implemented. The cuts have resulted in a marked decrease in inspections and enforcement. This has resulted in fewer prosecutions for violations and smaller fines than those imposed during the Clinton years. What I would like to know is why the media basically failed to connect safety underfunding with accidents and worker deaths? The media made the connection in the Gulf Coast when it was learned that the Bush administration had cut U.S. Army Corps of Engineers dike maintenance dollars in New Orleans, another quickly forgotten story. Giving corporations subsidies that make them more competitive is one thing, but it is time to draw the line when those cuts and subsidies may result in workplace deaths.

NICK REINA

Milmay

Letter published in the Daily Journal, January 21, 2005

LoBiondo, Saxton Must Go in 2006

Few people realize that a tax cut signed by President Bush in 2001 is taking effect this year. It is estimated to reduce tax revenues by $27 billion in the first year and about $150 billion through 2010. Ninety percent of the benefits will go to families with incomes greater than $200,000.This follows an end-of-year flurry of activity in which Congress gave itself a $3,100 raise, killed a proposal to raise the minimum wage, reduced money for people programs by $35 billion and gave tax cuts to businesses that are earning record profits. As if that were not enough, Congress plans further tax cuts on unearned income — but not wages.Bush has been able to pay for all this and a war of choice, along with its costlier occupation, by incurring the largest deficit in our history. The good news is that 2006 is an election year. While Bush's term does not expire until 2008, some who support his agenda are up for election — like our own Rep. Frank LoBiondo, R-2nd, and Rep. Jim Saxton, R-3rd, both of whom voted yes on the bill to cut people programs, which passed 217 to 215.We need representatives in Washington who believe that our most pressing problems are not taxes on dividends and interest income but rather feeding the hungry, housing the homeless, providing health care for the sick and full employment for the able. I don't think that a person like LoBiondo, who recently moved into a million-dollar house, understands our problems well enough to continue representing us.

NICK REINA

Milmay

Letter published in Press of Atlantic City, January 20, 2006

http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/opinion/letters/story/5844206p-5859751c.html

Cutting Corners

The mining accident in West Virginia in which 12 miners lost their lives and another may have brain damage is a great tragedy. According to reports, there were more than 200 safety violations issued for this mine, indicating that there were serious concerns for keeping this mine operational. The federal Government Accounting Office concluded in a 2003 report that the district offices for the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) were deficient in overseeing the mining industry. For example, MSHA did not provide enough oversight to ensure timely inspections in some districts, it did not ensure that hazards found were corrected in a timely manner, procedures for inspectors were unclear and sometimes nonexistent, and MSHA did not collect data to evaluate its performance in order to prevent future accidents and identify trends. The Bush administration has consistently reduced the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration's budget since taking office in 2001. The result has been a marked reduction in inspection and enforcement staff. It appears the Bush philosophy of trusting big business to do the right thing has contributed to a more dangerous workplace for miners. Just like in the Gulf Coast, where levees failed after Hurricane Katrina because maintenance money had been reduced, lives were lost, perhaps unnecessarily. Unbeknownst to most Americans, a tax cut signed by Bush in 2001 was taking effect at about the same time as the explosion in West Virginia. The new cut is estimated to reduce tax revenues by $27 billion in the first year and about $150 billion through 2010. About 90 percent of the benefits will go to families with incomes greater than $200,000. Very few benefits, if any, will go to average American workers, including the miners. While I think companies are entitled to make an honest profit, they shouldn't be allowed to cut corners that impact workers negatively and, sometimes, fatally.

NICK REINA

Milmay, New Jersey

Letter published in the Courier Post, January 13, 2006

http://www.courierpostonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060113/OPINION/601130305/1005/ARCHIVES