Published: January 27, 2009 07:00 pm      

Letters to the Editor: 01/28/2009

Bailout for economy

Our tax dollars are hard at work after the big bailout to the Big Three American automakers.

This rather large donation from each of us was built up as the best way to help the pitiful condition of our economy, a way to help all those out-of-work auto employees, a way to help the American public.

Perhaps that would be true had there been some kind of control written into a contract with the automakers before they received their money.

How is it that this bailout money that was to help our economy is now being spent by General Motors to pay a Korean company to build battery cells for the GM Chevrolet Volt electric car? Have we once again been taken for a ride?

If the Big Three want to stay in business and keep American autoworkers employed, why not hire American companies instead of those from other countries?

I ask, if the original bailout was given with a contract that did not specify that our money must be used to help the American economy, why would we want to agree to Obama's new plan to give out billions of dollars more?

Mary Kay McDuffie
Bellaire

Higher level of conduct

As we think about a new year, let's try living on a little higher level of conduct as guys and gals.

We note that our public schools are trying to emphasize character education in the hopes of inoculating our kids with the values of civility and integrity against the popular culture that often seems to reward neither.

The ethics educator, Michael Josephson, lists the six pillars of character.

1) Trustworthy: Don't deceive, cheat or steal. Be reliable.

2) Respect: Be tolerant of differences, and be considerate of others' feelings.

3) Responsibility: Do what you're supposed to do. Be accountable.

4) Fairness: Take turns. Share. Play by the rules.

5) Caring: Forgive others. Help people in need. Be kind.

6) Citizenship: Obey laws and rules. Respect authority. Cooperate.

When we have little or no moral standard of conduct, it gets to the point that anything goes. Let us give ourselves to a loftier moral level of conduct. Indeed, let us treat our neighbor with decency and good will. Let us seek to instill the values of civility and integrity in our families. Isn't that the basis of a healthy society?

John Myette
Traverse City