Just think how much savings could actually be achieved if the budgeting and funding practices were changed. What if there was real oversight? What if the congressional appropriations and oversight committees actually did their jobs, instead of listening to primed statements from military leaders? If the bases and all of defense had to really budget for items and actually stick to the budget, with realized excesses returned to the Treasury, I imagine the return would be considerably more than the price of one B-2 bomber. JAMES JOHNSON, BEAVERCREEK
‘Dilemma for business owners’ is a choice
Re the injunction to prevent the application of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ federal contraception mandate: I don’t understand the dilemma for business owners. If they don’t wish to use contraception, sterilization, abortion or abortion-inducing drugs, then they may certainly refrain from using them.
As for their Catholic employees, they are undoubtedly aware of their church’s teachings on the matter, just as they are of their church’s (other) teachings, and can act upon them as their consciences see fit. As for non-Catholic employees, I see no reason for them to be deprived of the plan’s offerings because of their employer’s religious views. No employee will make use of all their health plan’s offerings anyway. …
It is the employer's personal decision as to whether to close the business and put employees out of work, should the decision go against their wishes. Would Jesus do this? CLAUDETTE SARVER, CENTERVILLE
GOP knows ‘how to game the system’
Man-made climate change producing Arctic ice melting before our eyes and weather more deadly and frequent. An acceleration in mass murders and proliferation of weapons meant for combat. Election outcomes that mean nothing. Mindless decreases in spending that undermine the health of us all. The list goes on and on. Madness.
Right-wing Republicans have learned how to game the system. Determined to do away with government and give us a social Darwinian world, they have gerrymandered and filibustered their way to permanent veto power over legislation. …
This is the America of 2013. A corporate state sustained by anti-intellectualism run amok. GERALD E. KERNS, LOVELAND
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