Column misstated position of Obama on the issues

At this time, Americans must consider the pros and cons of the candidates who are up for election. They need the facts, not misinformation or outright lies. The editorial of Jonathon V. Last published in the Gazette-Times on Aug. 28 is a classic example of what people do not need at this crucial time in our history.

As he was poking fun at the protesters on the streets of Denver, he made this statement: “But here’s the really freaky part: These groups are all made up of people who believe that Barack Obama’s Democratic Party — which wants to raise taxes, insure abortion on demand, create a crippling carbon cap-and-trade regime, commence a rapid pull-out from Iraq, and abandon U.S. allies from Israel to Georgia — isn’t liberal enough.”

Each statement is absolutely untrue. I will give three examples:

• “Barack Obama’s Democratic Party wants to raise taxes.” The truth here is that Barack Obama wants to raise taxes on the top 10 percent of the wealthiest families and reduce or eliminate taxes on the lower 90 percent of taxpayers.

• “…commence a rapid pull-out from Iraq…” The truth is more like 16 months after taking office. When he made his recent visit to Iraq, Iraq wanted the same time period as Obama.

• “…abandon U.S. allies from Israel to Georgia …” Time and time again, Barack has emphasized his support for Israel and for Georgia.

We do not need trash talk. ALL THE PEOPLE NEED THE TRUTH.

Woody Sommer, Corvallis

Here’s a scary thought: President Sarah Palin

John McCain is talking much about patriotism, fighting for and loving your country, “Country First,” etc. But was he really thinking of the welfare and the future of this nation when he chose Gov. Sarah Palin as his running mate? Surely there are many women in this country better educated, more accomplished and wiser than Sarah Palin. Can anyone really see her as president of the United States, guiding the country in domestic and foreign affairs? It is a scary thought and it could well become reality is this ticket is elected in November. Welcome back to the 20th century!

Ingrid Zamfirescu, Corvallis

Palin too young, inexperienced to be the vice-president

I am old, and my friends are too, so I know from first-hand experience how quickly and unexpectedly death, severe incapacity and senility can occur.

In view of McCain’s age, do you want a vice president as untried and inexperienced as Sarah Palin to step into his shoes? Sure she’s been a mayor, but do you think being the mayor of Lebanon or Sweet Home would give one the experience to be president? I don’t. I’m sure Palin has lots of ideas, and you may agree with some of them, but does she have the knowledge and background to justify them and to carry them out? I don’t think she does.

Damaris Reynolds, Corvallis

McCain administration would seek to overturn Roe v. Wade

Women who support the McCain-Palin ticket are saying that they do not approve of all the rights women have achieved over the past many years in the areas of reproductive health and the right to abortion. The Bush administration has declared war on reproductive rights. Recently the Department of Health and Human Services tried to push through a new rule equating birth control with abortion. Fortunately that effort was not allowed to proceed. Contraceptives must be cheap and available to all to reduce abortion, which must remain safe and legal.

The Bush policies would not change under a McCain-Palin administration.

John McCain assures us he opposes Roe V. Wade, the Supreme Court ruling that gave women the right to take control of their reproductive health. He has stated that he would appoint judges to the Supreme Court who would join Roberts, Alito, Thomas and Scalia to overturn Roe V. Wade.

Supreme Court judges have lifetime appointments. If women think they would have a chance to regain the freedom they would lose under a McCain-Palin administration, they are very much mistaken.

So please, every woman out there, Republican and Democrat, who believes in the rights of women everywhere, vote for the Obama-Biden ticket for president.

Jean and John Nath, Corvallis

Palin hasn’t been held accountable for ‘Bridge’ waffling

I appreciated Michael L’Heureux’s Sept. 16 letter, “Voters should remember Smith’s praise for Palin,” but felt it did not fully convey the extent to which Sarah Palin is lying about the “Bridge to Nowhere” debacle. Palin keeps claiming to have rejected the earmark, but nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, she strongly supported the bridge. Not until Congress had already cancelled the earmark did she say “Thanks, but no thanks.” Then she went on to take most of the money anyway.

If only the lies stopped there. She then goes on to say that Barack Obama will raise your taxes, which is only true if every single person in the crowd makes over $250,000 a year. Somehow I have a feeling those aren’t the people struggling to make ends meet right now.

Next she tried to assert that Obama has never authorized a single major bill during his time in the Senate. I don’t know about you, but authoring a bill to keep WMDs out of the hands of dictators seems pretty major to me. That’s a whole lot of lies for someone who claims to be a good Christian. I used to think McCain had character, but by perpetuating these falsehoods, he really gives me pause. These people know the truth, but will say anything to get ahead. It’s time for the American people to do their research and refuse to accept dishonesty. We can do better.

Jennifer Hang, Corvallis

Bush, McCain ‘free market’ approach ignores greed

Regulation of financial markets is another practice that John McCain was against until he was for it. McCain was a consistent voice against government regulation of financial markets. After several investment banks went bankrupt, and the U.S. taxpayer bailed out Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae and AIG, McCain is now singing a different tune, calling for financial regulation.

McCain and the Republicans have always been for “free” financial markets. However, their vision of financial markets never seems to include the greed-induced stupidity of business executives. While company executives and stockholders reap the rewards of success, the taxpayer too often pays for the failures. The previous housing crisis, the savings and loan bailout of the 1980s and 1990s, cost around $160 billion, $125 billion of which was directly paid for by the U.S. taxpayer. Do we ever learn?

There is also great political and economic risk associated with this latest financial mismanagement. The viable parts of these companies are being sold to help pay their debts. And who had the most money to buy these assets? Why China, Russia, and the oil-producing countries of the Middle East, of course. These countries are also the ones that are financing the U.S. deficit spending on our wars, imported oil, and tax cuts. These are not the sort of countries we want to be beholden to. McCain’s fight against government regulation of risky financial markets has placed the U.S. in economic and political peril.

George Hoffman, Corvallis

McCain’s war record not necessarily relevant

Senator McCain is building his campaign citing the inexperience of Senator Obama. I should point out that experience does not always denote good judgment.

John McCain and the Republican Party continue to place emphasis on the fact that McCain was a prisoner of war. His fortitude and valor are not in question. His war record, however, does not depict the criteria to govern the nation with any more success than this opponent.

Senator Obama is a forward thinker. He is smart, intelligent and willing to listen to all sides. He surrounds himself with smart, intelligent and experienced personnel. He has shown he can converse with world leaders and bring crowds who will listen to what America has to say.

The Republican National Convention has shown us how wedded to the Washington style of politics McCain has chosen to follow. He nominated his vice-presidential candidate (whom he’d just met) from an oil-rich state. Senator McCain may speak the rhetoric of change, but it is “Vote for me” and not “Vote for we,” the people.

I strongly urge you to think long and hard before you cast your ballot in November. Eight years of President Bush and four of McCain will truly be more than our country can sustain. Our educational, economic and medical services are all below acceptable levels.

McCain is not the man who will make the changes we so badly need!

Nikki Shute, Corvallis