Welfare recipient states are mostly Republican
The letter to the editor on 5/14/20 left me wondering where the writer got their info. As for Ronnie, it was Reagan who began taxing our Social Security (50%, 1983) to finance his tax break for corporations and those people in the highest income bracket. The ones that could most afford to pay their fair share got the tax breaks.
Of the 10 poorest states, all but two are Republican-led. According to the 2010 census, nine of 10 states with the lowest median income were Red. Why point fingers at Democrats for bilking the social services when the Republican states are the largest recipients of the welfare system?
As for the false claim that illegal immigrants receive stimulus money, here’s the truth. Illegals do not receive stimulus money. If you are a legal citizen and your spouse is illegal, then you are not entitled to any either. The relief package negotiated in Congress made clear that neither one of them is entitled to help.
I fear that these mistruths just stir the pot and keep divisiveness alive. Why would any reasonable person make a statement that Dems never worked a day in their lives?
How can someone look at a shopkeeper, service person, anyone working and know whether they are “D” or “R”? How do you acquire that skill?
Want to talk about waste on the impeachment hearings? The R’s have investigated Hillary Clinton for years and came up with nothing worthy of prosecution. She testified for 11 hours on Benghazi, and all they found was that Republicans had cut the security funding for Benghazi. Some people imply they should continue looking, wasting more money because the R’s didn’t like the result. The Republicans wouldn’t let anyone testify or produce any documents during the impeachment hearing. What were they afraid of — the truth? Still impeached forever.
If the economic policies of the Republicans are so great for America, how come nine of 10 poorest states are Red?
Cindy Jones
Morgantown
In support of Stephen Smith for governor
I grew up hearing how the “big guys” and the rich got away with everything, while the rest of us had to pay the cost. And this still seems to be a common mantra. Oddly enough, some of the same who complain about this are the first to jump in and defend some of the big boys when they get caught with their hands in the cookie jar. These folks seem to believe that there is privilege in being rich or winning political office or owning a large business.
West Virginia has been plagued by this thinking pretty much since its creation. Big timber, big coal, railroads — they have all plundered the state with impunity, in spite of the few laws to protect citizens and the land. Not that these laws were in abundance — in addition to buying up the state’s resources, the big boys bought support in the legislature and sometimes the governor’s mansion.
West Virginia Can’t Wait (wvcantwait.com) is led by gubernatorial candidate Stephen Smith. The platform is extensive, comprehensive and bold.
The proposal calls for two new divisions in the state police totaling 100 officers. These officers would investigate corporate crime and political corruption. Salaries for all state police officers would be increased significantly. A commission of current and retired officers, working with crime victims, community leaders, and exoffenders would collaborate to strengthen and modernize the state police force.
The other great thing about the West Virginia Can’t Wait team’s proposals is that they are all paid for. The estimated cost for implementing this proposal is $14 million, while the expected revenues are $100 million. This proposal should net over $80 million.
I don’t support this plank because it’s a big money maker. I support it because it is the right thing to do. It will level the playing field so that all businesses can compete fairly and honestly. It will help ensure that our political leaders are serving the people of West Virginia, and not their own selfish interests.
Junior Wolfe
Bruceton Mills
