Letters to the Editor: 05/08/2008

May 09, 2008 04:00 am

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McCain = sacrifices

We have had seven and a half years with a president who is more concerned with Iraq than his own country. The cost of living here is at an all-time high. Wages have not been raised and in some cases have been cut. We are on our way to becoming a third-world country.

Sen. McCain says the war in Iraq needs to go on indefinitely. Who is going to fight that war? Our current soldiers have been used over and over and are worn out. It looks like they would have to institute a draft. It might not be just the boys this time but maybe the girls, too.

So, if you want to live in your car, eat macaroni and cheese for dinner every night, sacrifice your children and grandchildren to the war, then vote for McCain.

Linda Kinery
Kewadin

Honest, hard working

We would like to add our appreciation for Grand Traverse County Drain Commissioner Kevin McElyea. When our friend and former neighbor was running for the position, we wholeheartedly campaigned for him because we knew that he was a hard working, honest man who would do the right thing. His position on the erosion problems at LochenHeath demonstrated those qualities.

Every community needs more people in public service like Kevin. Maybe he should consider running for another public office, perhaps in Lansing or Washington.

Frank and Faye Zimmerman
Acme

Thinning the herd

The article of April 30 should be a wake-up call to every hunter or sports person. What next, turkeys due to bird flu?

The deer herd in Michigan is a billion dollar industry. Hunters spend a small fortune just for the opportunity, no guarantee, to bag their deer.

Now the government that charges them to hunt is giving away thousands of tags to the agri-businesses so they can slaughter the same deer that they will not let hunters on to their land to harvest. For years they have been paid for crop damage by the deer and given block-permits, and still they complain about the abundance of deer.

How about trying a sensible approach. Give the hunters the free permits and access to the areas where the deer are. Give no crop damage or other restitution to the farms that won't let the hunters in to cull the herd and no special permits to them either.

The state makes money instead of paying it out, the hunter gets the deer and the herd gets thinned. Won't happen, makes too much sense.

Dan Bitner
Kalkaska