Romney administration
will grow the economy
There has been much ado about the 47 percent of taxpayers who pay no federal income taxes. I think the question should be why don't 47 percent pay income taxes. This most certainly is a factor in our deficit and crushing debt.
I think it boils down to growth. If the economy were growing, there would be more jobs with higher wages. We need a pro-growth administration that encourages citizens to reach for the stars, not one that wants us to be reliant on government for sustenance. Mitt Romney is promoting an environment for private-sector growth and energy independence. The current administration is continually telling us that we need government to "level the playing field."
We could be energy independent if the Environmental Protection Agency would allow us to be. We are the Saudi Arabia of natural gas. If we used natural gas to fuel our fleet of commercial vehicles, we would not be funding the Middle East. We would be keeping the jobs and profits on our shores.
Our government should provide an environment that gives citizens an opportunity to succeed. Government should not be in the business of social justice and trying to guarantee success. Each of us has different talents, and if you have been successful, you know that effort does not guarantee success. Remember the adage, "If at first you don't succeed, try again"?
This election is pivotal. We will decide what kind of country we want to be - one continuing down this path to European socialism or one that reverts back to the principles of personal responsibility on which this country was founded.
ANNAMARIE DONLEY
Egg Harbor Township
Response phenomenal
to A.C. school-bus crash
Regarding the Oct. 10 story, "25 injured in Atlantic City school bus crash":
On behalf of the Atlantic City Board of Education, I would like to thank those individuals who assisted our students during the Oct. 9 school bus accident on Arctic Avenue in Atlantic City. The first responders - including the Atlantic City Police Department, the Atlantic City Fire Department, the Atlantic City Emergency Management team, the Atlantic County Emergency Management team, the EMTs and ambulance personnel - provided a coordinated, professional and fast response to a complex situation.
We want to acknowledge that these positions require rigorous training for this type of situation and the response was truly remarkable.
The hospital staff of all participating emergency rooms at AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center City Campus, AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center Mainland Campus and Shore Medical Center acted with compassion and care for our students.
Thanks to the quick thinking of the administrators at the Richmond Avenue School, located at the Brighton Avenue site, the students were organized and able to be triaged in an expedient manner. The students who did not require transport to a medical center were supervised and calmed.
The Atlantic City High School assistant principals each went to one of the medical sites to give parents information and to comfort the students during their evaluations. Finally, the students and their parents and guardians exhibited patience and composure during a very stressful experience.
An event like this sheds light on the expertise of our first responders and educators. They are devoted individuals who work every day to ensure that our community is a safe place to live, learn, work and visit.
DONNA L. HAYE
Superintendent of Schools
Atlantic City
Playoffs especially cruel
for hurting Phillies fans
Wow. Just when we Philadelphia Phillies fans have begun to accept our fate and lick our wounds from such a disappointing season, we get an unexpected kick in the face as we watch former Phillie Raul Ibanez propel the Yankees to post-season success. Maybe we should have kept him?
And I don't even want to bring up Jayson Werth winning that Game 4 for the Washington Nationals.
I just hope Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. makes some better decisions with his roster this year.
TED NORTHRIDGE
Galloway Township
Dems can't stomach
their own kind of meal
The last dish that Democrats force-fed the public was Obamacare. Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi added the relish: "But we have to pass the bill so that you can find out what is in it, away from the fog of controversy," she said. Now the administration, Democratic pundits and media sycophants are hungry for the specifics in Mitt Romney's five-part plan to turn the economy around. What's the beef?
ROSEMARY BIGGIO
Williamstown
Romney's record shows
he can get things done
Regarding the people criticizing Mitt Romney for being a self-made millionaire and his wife Ann for being a homemaker: That's their right and choice. We live in America, where we get to choose how we spend our money and how we live our lives.
Yes, Romney is rich. But growing up, he was the son of a self-made man - Michigan Gov. George Romney - who taught him the value of the dollar. That respect for the dollar never left Mitt Romney; we can just take a look at his gubernatorial record. He made hard decisions and brought state spending under control. He consolidated government programs, paring back where necessary and finding efficiencies throughout.
Massachusetts is a blue state. If a Republican governor can do everything Romney did, clearly he not only understands the dollar, but knows how to work across party lines.
And yes, Ann Romney is a homemaker. She stayed at home and raised her five boys while Mitt was out earning the family bread. But the argument that she never worked a day in her life is ludicrous.
As a 16-year-old, I watch my mother work hard to keep the house clean, help my father on his paper route, raise and home-school my sister and me. So being a homemaker is hard work - and it is one of the most honorable jobs ever.
These are just two of the reasons why I like Mitt Romney. His values and character will follow him into the White House, which in turn will make us a stronger nation.
ANDREW BAMBRICK
Hammonton
Critics misunderstand
Romney's tax-cut plan
The Oct. 12 letter, "Times are tough - don't cut taxes on rich," missed the primary point of Mitt Romney's tax plan.
Like President Barack Obama and so many liberals, the letter writer doesn't appreciate the beauty of Romney's plan, which distinguishes between tax rates and revenue (taxes collected). Put simply, he doesn't want to cut taxes on the rich. He just wants to reduce the tax rate of these job creators to get millions of the unemployed working and paying taxes.
Theoretically, by lowering their tax rate, while closing some of the loopholes the rich unfairly have, they will essentially pay the same amount of tax dollars as with the existing rates. The letter writer's response will be that Romney won't tell us what loopholes he will close. My response is that he shouldn't. Unlike Obama, he is a leader, and he will not attempt to dictate how the tax code should be changed. Instead, he will work with the bipartisan support of Congress, as he did as governor of Massachusetts, to get the job done right.
ETTORE CATTANEO
Cape May
Northfield interferes
with ham radio operator
I am a Federal Communications Commission-licensed amateur radio operator who has the misfortune to live in Northfield.
After doing research, I wanted to make changes to my antenna system. I chose to purchase a tower that was my childhood dream. I applied for a city permit, but the Building Office said it would deny my application because of a height misunderstanding. My alternative was to pay a large fee to appeal to the Zoning Board.
Amateur radio is a hobby. Like a gardener who changes his type of flowers or plants trees without having to get a city permit, I should have the same freedom to make changes.
The city should worry about police, fire, emergency-medical services, roads, education, recreation and the safety of our buildings. Why does it waste tax dollars interfering with a citizen's personal life?
ROBERT PANTAZES
Northfield
Gina Barreca is funny -
and she'll be here in November
Regarding the Oct. 9 Gina Barreca column, "Did you hear the one about women being funny?":
I have appreciated very much The Press printing commentaries by Barreca. This most recent column celebrated women's humor and announced, "It's not a recent invention."
The women of United Way's Women's Leadership Initiative, or WLI, have known this fact for many years. WLI raises money to support children through the "Success by 6" program. One of WLI's signature events, Sweet Laughs, has been held annually in November for seven years and has featured women humorists. This year's humorist is Barreca.
The event will be held Nov. 15 at Stockton Seaview Hotel and Golf Club. Barreca's presentation is open to members of the public who want to eat sweets and laugh. Contact the United Way for information.
LYNN CATERSON
Absecon
