A recent submission to this forum was intended to attack an intelligent, self-motivated individual. This attack was made by a well-indoctrinated liberal who seemingly wishes that all poor people would be farmed out on some government program and not allowed to think for themselves. Star Parker was quoted as saying that limited government, free markets and personal responsibility would solve social and economic problems and I fully agree. This is the remarkable system that made this country great and to stand above other nations. One only has to go to recent history to see what happens when people are placed on government dole and discouraged from personal responsibility. People who rely totally on government aid and protection rather than self-reliance are in serious trouble when a disaster strikes. Witness the unnecessary death and destruction last year in New Orleans. The local government did very little to aid or protect the poor. School buses that could have aided in evacuation remained parked in an area that flooded. This even though ample warning was given that the storm was going to be a severe one.

With a larger government there is too much “red tape” for it to be effective, and it becomes less efficient and more unreliable as it expands in size and scope. Many lives could have been spared if the poor of New Orleans had heeded the warning and left before the storm struck rather than sit and wait for their faulty government to save them. What we really need is more personal responsibility and far less government interference in our lives.

Gary Chambers

McDermott

Big thanks goes out to volunteers with Vernon Township for responding

Words cannot begin to express our gratitude and appreciation for the wonderful volunteers of the Vernon Township rescue squad and fire department. Their immediate response to our emergency on Jan. 25 was instrumental in the speedy transport to Columbus, and it was the main contributing factor to our father's survival and recovery.

Clyde Greathouse has made remarkable progress, is well on his way to complete recovery and is eager to get back to work.

Thank you for the continued prayers and support expressed by our friends these past two weeks.

Shannon Begley

Wheelersburg

Landlords should shoulder costs of city Rental Licensing Program

Hats off to Mayor Jim Kalb regarding his endeavor to institute a Rental Licensing Program. The program should help to clean up the deplorable conditions that exist in our city. There should be no increase in our taxes. Costs would be charged to the landlords only. The program, as instituted by Mayor Kalb, would generate revenue to our city.

City Council should act on this as soon as possible.

Mary Webb, GRI Landlord

Portsmouth