The trail, Obama and paying for college

By Published by The Editorial Board

Published: September 30, 2008

Time for some trail work

To the editor:

I wish to point out a dangerous and treacherous portion of the walking/biking trail in Danville. The ramp that is part of the walkway from the Crossing of the Dan to the bike trail allows bicyclists to get down from the cross walk to the Riverwalk Trail.

There’s a switch-back halfway down that becomes so slippery that it’s difficult to keep your footing and bicycles slide sideways. It’s a real problem! It remains wet because of the shade, and there’s probably algae growing that exacerbates the problem. This time of year, fallen leaves also add to the problem.

I feel that the city needs to add treads or other treatments that will allow safe use of that walkway when it’s wet. That, plus a warning sign, may prevent people from being taken unawares. I know about the problem and almost fell recently.

I’m hoping that someone will refer my comments to the appropriate office or that someone in the city maintenance office will read this letter. I could call myself, but patience is not a value of which I can boast.

MICHAEL DAMERON

To the editor:

I want a president who is calm, studies the situation and then makes a decision — and yes, positions can be changed based on a changing environment.

But what we’ve seen from the McCain camp over the past two weeks has had enough drama for a Hollywood blockbuster. And what a wild ride we’re being taken on!

I think Sen. Barack Obama is the most promising candidate for president because of his intellect, his ability to frame an issue in its proper perspective and develop sensible solutions (how he dealt with the Rev. Wright issue and how his campaign has been run, which will be emulated in the future and studied in political science courses as a case study) and his great oratorical skills.

Don’t underestimate the importance of the latter. This country is facing extraordinary problems, the solutions to which will require tough choices, and it will be important to effectively explain these issues to the American people.

To fix the health care system will require overcoming savage opposition from the for-profit insurance and drug industries. To overcome the anticipated lobbying and disinformation campaigns of these groups will require communicating directly to the American people to gain their support and rally them to put pressure on their elected representatives.

LAURIE TILLETT

To the editor:

This letter is in response to, “Stuck in the expensive middle (class),” (Sept. 28, page A11). The writer seems to be under the impression that there are numerous other people responsible for her college education: Her father, the admissions offices at colleges of her choice, the government, etc. She has failed to realize there is truly only one person ultimately responsible for her college education: Her!

A college education is not a God-given, inalienable right — it is a privilege.

For her to whine “it simply would not be fair if some students were able to go to the college of their choice and others had to make do with their Plan B” is a classic example of the entitlement society in which we live. Here is a novel idea for the author — perhaps you could get a part-time job to help pay for your own tuition and take responsibility for your own costs.

It’s been done by many students in the past, and I’m sure it will be done by many responsible students in the future.

CONNIE SMITH

To the editor:

Even before the current financial crisis, economists at the Tax Policy Center endorsed Sen. Barack Obama by a 66 percent to 28 percent margin.

Many cited inaccuracies in Sen. John McCain’s proposal to slash earmarks; some of his own economic advisers now acknowledge that only a fraction of the amount first claimed could be saved without damaging priorities like military aid to Israel. Others cite the explosion of deficits resulting from further tax cuts favoring the super-rich and eliminating domestic discretionary spending.

Now that the Bush administration is begging for quick action on its $700 billion bailout scheme, Obama has shown the honesty to concede that some of his initiatives on health and energy may need to be delayed. To address the crisis, he advocates common-sense safeguards:

 

• Taxpayers should not fund executives’ “golden parachutes”;

• The power to spend billions in taxpayer dollars cannot be left to the Treasury Secretary’s sole discretion;

• The taxpayers’ investment deserves some return, instead of simply buying up devalued assets; and

• The solution must also help deserving families facing foreclosure.

SCOTT MACHADO

Danville