LETTERS: U.S. embarrassed on international stage
To the editor:
The bold headline would have been laughable if it were not so tragic. “TODAY, WE ARE ONE,” it read, on the cover of Monday’s Review-Journal. And of course, the accompanying article spoke of an “extraordinary chain of 1.5 million people, led by a group of world leaders” as they marched through the streets of Paris to stand in unity for freedom of expression and the objection to jihadist terrorism.
The only thing that seemed out of step with this headline was that it was in an American newspaper, and not one American leader that I have heard of was marching in step with these brave souls, who came from all over the world to become one with the mourners in Paris. Where was our president? Our vice president? Our secretary of state? It was said that our attorney general was in Paris but did not march with the 1.5 million people.
I grew up during World War II and have memories of the years following the war across Europe and the Far East. I was proud to see that our presidents, after those bitter years, showed solidarity with France, England and, yes, later even Germany.
Yet this week, we learned that our own president, who travels near and far, did not seem to think he needed to show his support to an ally in mourning over the heinous attacks of last week. This is an embarrassment and a disgrace. “Today, we are one” is an empty statement when uttered by Americans. Those of us who mourn with France understand that we are one with the mourners, but it doesn’t include any prominent parts of the U.S. government. Has America become an empty shirt, or perhaps I should say, an empty golf cart?
RAYNETTE EITEL
LAS VEGAS
Obama becomes the story
To the editor:
President Barack Obama accomplished exactly what he wanted by not attending the historic rally in Paris on Sunday. Because of his absence, he made himself the center of attention, which he loves. He became the story.
ROBERTA E. KLINE
LAS VEGAS
Economic truths
To the editor:
Since President Barack Obama’s Dec. 19 news conference, his supporters have taken words from his pat-on-the-back speech outlining his “accomplishments” as if our current economy is in the best state ever. In some areas, recovery is on the way, but to what degree and due to whose efforts is questionable.
The president claimed that job growth in 2014 was the strongest in years, with middle class earnings on the rise. But according to a Dec. 5 statement by Bureau of Labor Statistics Commissioner Erica L. Groshen, figures through Nov. 14 advertised a 5.8 percent unemployment rate, average monthly job growth of 224,000, 9.1 million people still unemployed, with 6.1 million part-time employees desiring full-time work.
The year’s labor force participation rate remained around 62.8 percent, the lowest in decades.
As for the domestic auto industry rescue, a recent report showed a cost to the taxpayers of more than $8 billion and counting. If two of our major auto manufacturers had financial problems and closed their doors, the demands of business and the public would have enticed other manufacturers to fill the production void.
The statement about the U.S. becoming the leading oil and gas producing nation can hardly be attributed to efforts of an administration that did little more than sign permits. The private drilling and extraction companies brought that about through improved techniques. OPEC’s refusal to cut production is the major cause of cheaper gas. The president’s speech refers to gas prices a year ago, but fails to compare them to just before the Obama regime when, according to the Jan. 5, 2009, Department of Energy report, regular gas prices averaged $1.68 per gallon.
The president also tooted his own horn by mentioning the 10 million Americans gaining health insurance due to Obamacare. He failed to make note of those losing their coverage due to the terms of their policies, resulting in skyrocketing premiums to get new policies — in some cases, premiums more than doubled. The increase in Obamacare enrollees is mostly through those receiving premium subsidies, a taxpayer-sponsored entitlement.
And the slowing growth of health care costs is likely due to reimbursement restrictions, which is likely to reduce the quality and timely delivery of care (as it does in Canada).
Based on six-year performance, neither President Obama nor his disciples are winners.
ROBERT LATCHFORD
HENDERSON
King’s wisdom
To the editor:
In March 1968, Martin Luther King Jr. gave a sermon at the National Cathedral in which he said, “The world in which we live is geographically one. The challenge that we face today is to make it one in terms of brotherhood.”
This challenge seems greater today than it was 47 years ago.
MARCIA BOEHM
LAS VEGAS
