Letters to the Editor | The Columbus Dispatch
Police don’t deserve compensation — they caused all the damage
Note: Opinion Editor Amelia Robinson asked for responses to the city of Columbus’ $5.7 million settlement with two dozen people who say they were brutalized by Columbus police during protests against racial injustice the summer of 2020.
Well, I was a little surprised at the only posted responses. They all seemed to point in the same direction. Apparently, nobody was watching what I was.
More: Letters: $5.75M to protesters? ‘I almost spilled my coffee.’
The police don’t need compensation, since they’re the ones that did all the damage and started the whole thing in the first place. The small businesses should’ve had insurance. This all would’ve been avoided if there were any kind of requirements or training to be a cop.
More: ‘That’s not good law enforcement,’ says attorney for protesters getting $5.75M settlement
George Dailey, Columbus
More: How to submit a letter to the editor for The Columbus Dispatch
Americans would be better off without capitalism
Politicians talking about the economy turn my stomach. The stock market is not the economy. Politicians should not claim job creation unless the jobs pay at least a living wage.
More: Hiring immigrants, workers from around globe key to solving labor shortage problem in Ohio
Today’s 20-to-40-year-olds aren’t as burdened with mortgages, kids and other financial obligations as were previous generations and they have finally gone on a nationwide strike for higher wages. Good.
More: Letters: Don’t be ‘ridiculous.’ Health care worker want higher pay too.
The American economy is homelessness, no healthcare, exit-ramp beggars, check-cashing stores, payday loan thieves, pawn shops and abject poverty. Anyone who expects capitalism to solve these problems is an idiot.
The threat of these horrors hanging over workers’ heads is exactly what makes American capitalism work.
More: Opinion: America needs self-government, not ‘compassionate’ capitalism
There is no lifestyle more expensive than being poor.
The poor can’t afford to buy in bulk. The poor have to drive derelict cars that constantly break down. The poor have to go to emergency rooms for healthcare. The poor have no 401k’s. The poor have no way to keep their children from being poor and no real way to avoid having unwanted children.
And we taxpayers subsidize this poverty. We keep them barely alive but without hope of a decent future so that corporate America can exploit them with paltry wages and firing them at will.
More: Can Corporate America fill needs that government doesn’t?
Wow, ain’t capitalism grand. If you’re rich. The truth is that everyone in America would be far better off with a more empathetic and compassionate system that promoted social well-being, education and healthy lifestyles. Only a fool or a money addict would feel otherwise.
Jay Smith, Columbus
Gov. DeWine strangely silent about COVID-19 recently
Where has Gov. DeWine been? He has been non-existent recently regarding COVID-19. Ohio wants some direction; we need someone to tell us what is happening. There is nothing more urgent than what is happening now and he is as quiet as a mouse.
More: Citizens group files suit to end Gov. DeWine’s emergency COVID-19 orders
Please, Governor, lead us! Think about all your grandchildren that you you used to talk about on TV. What will happen to them or my grandchildren if you don’t take a stand?
Robert Herman, Gahanna
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