Round and About More Reasons to Vote …

Round and About
More Reasons to Vote …

National — Prime Minister Ariel Sharon of Israel has visited President Bush, and he no doubt returned home with his pockets full. I have followed happenings and events in that part of the world since the ending of WWII. Ariel Sharon has always been, in my estimation—I can't think of a word to describe him other than—evil.

Our Senate recently voted 94 to 2 to show support of Israel. This is a good showing to all the Arab countries. Wonder why they hate us? Over the years, Israel has occupied more and more territory inhabited by Palestinians, shoved them out, bulldozed their property, or moved into their homes. Any Palestinian born since WWII has lived under these conditions. Today, Palestinians have two choices—continue to get pushed around or fight back. And when they learn that the United States makes it possible for Israel to do this, they vent their anger on America.

If you speak your mind on this subject you are labeled an anti-Semite. I assure you, I am not. I harbor no ill will for anyone. I wish all people well. I just cannot, in all good conscience, approve of Prime Minister Sharon and his crew. Since the creation of Israel, the United States has made yearly payments to them in amounts of billions of dollars each year. This started years ago, when people did not think in billions (it was still millions in those days). Then, one year, we decided that we would pay Egypt billions of dollars yearly so they would not pick on Israel. These payments have continued to this day, and in some cases the amount has grown higher. This while our citizens are taxed to death and people go to bed hungry in this, the greatest of all countries. Another example of our DEOs (duly elected officials) at work—WE MUST VOTE THEM OUT.

The sacking of America continues. There is no doubt in anyone's mind that the Israeli lobby in Washington is controlling our duly elected officials. The 94 to 2 vote in the Senate proves that. Our DEOs have proven to be gutless wonders, and with this vote have just about made more attacks on America certain. Arab countries view the United States as their main enemy because of our support of Israel. It is felt worldwide that Sharon and his crew are wrong. (I advise people to go back and read the very informative letter "The New Kristallnacht" submitted by David Truskoff and published by The Voice on May 3.)

The House recently passed a farm aid hike amounting to $180 billion over the next ten years—another way of spreading our tax dollars around. It may be necessary to help our farmers compete with foreign products, but reports we hear indicate that there is no control over how the money is used. Many gentlemen farmers, having little use for their farms, are lining their pockets. The sacking continues.

Willie Sutton, the famous bank robber, when asked why he robbed banks, replied: "That's where the money is." Poor Willie—he didn't know about Washington and Hartford.

State — Connecticut Resource Recovery Authority, a.k.a. CRRA, is still in the news. This quasi-public ("quasi" means our tax money) outfit will, I'm sure, make headlines for a long time to come. There’s much money to be passed out here. There will be committees and commissions, hearings and investigations, and you name it. It’s a big chance to spend, and many party faithful will be rewarded. If you can spend, you can make friends, and friends vote!

The CRRA fell apart after the Enron scam and announced that it would have to raise their prices. A local newspaper reported that it would now cost Waterbury $600,000 more per year and Torrington would see an increase of $500,000. Waterbury has a population of 109,000 and Torrington around 35,000—there is certainly something wrong with this picture. Mayor Quinn, take note.

The courthouse is turning out even better then our DEOs ever expected. They are spending our monies like crazy: $225,000 for the Anderson property that cannot be used (is that $225,000 the total cost or the cost of just the land?), and now they are paying $3,500 per month to hold the Cattey site while they pay for all kinds of surveys and tests. If all goes well paying for all this, they can then spend a million or so for the property. The Cattey property is located near a wetland, so we will have to see. All this to build a courthouse that is really not needed. (There was a nice letter in the Register-Citizen on May 4 concerning courthouse by Betty Sanderson.)

Our DEOs, in their efforts to please groups of voters, have passed legislation allowing teachers to retire earlier.

Local — Many folks in town are talking about the new three-year contract for the Police Dept., which calls for increase in pay in each of the three years. This while the average taxpayer doesn't know what will happen tomorrow. Part of the police contract that has people talking is a reduction in the number of months an officer must have perfect attendance to earn a day off. Is this to entice them to come to work, or an attempt to stop runaway overtime? Our DEOs have given away the store.

Torrington Co. is asking its union for givebacks—this after news came out that they are trying to incorporate outside the country.

The Fire Dept. still wants their new toy. Most people in town feel they are going about it in the wrong way.

It was a good decision by Jedd Gould, Ed Buley, Chief Janelle and Dep. Chief Milano in deciding to cancel the motorcycle rally scheduled for May 17-19. No doubt they had good information that helped in this decision.

Remember: We must vote, vote, vote.