A moment with the Congressman

Over the course of my first 15 months in Congress, I have come to realize two things about our nation's capital: Washington is indeed broken and, even with multiple consecutive years of trillion dollar deficits, no one there can agree on where we need to cut spending or how to get it done.

Update from the people's house

One of my proudest accomplishments during this General Assembly has been balancing the state budget without raising taxes. This is especially true after facing a deficit of $8 billion because of the irresponsible spending and reliance on one-time money for recurring expenses by previous administrations.

A possible solution for school budget troubles

To the Editor:

I have a solution to the school budget crises that won't require a tax levy, a local income tax or any other type of tax they can think of. It is accomplished in two steps. Step One: Set up a school fund where people can make tax deductible contributions to the school system of their choice and/or create a continual fund raising program (i.e. running a BINGO program). Step two: Take any remaining shortfall in the budget, divide it evenly by the number of students and send a tuition bill to the parents of those students and/or reduce staff accordingly to fit the budget. That's what private schools do. Why should public schools be exempt from this?

Publisher's notebook

I read a column this week by Robert Samuelson from that other little Post newspaper - the Washington one. Bless their hearts, they keep trying to live up to our standards. But they aren't THE Post like us, they are just the Washington one.

Some medicines should require a prescription

To the Editor:

No one would mistake me for a cheerleader of our federal government, and here it goes again. In my afternoon mail, Newsmax reported that the FDA is considering allowing Americans to obtain drugs for certain medical conditions without need of a prescription. What could possibly go wrong with that? Don't ask. Comments are being accepted until May 7, and then a decision may come any time after that.

Thanks Council for slowing down on the CIC

To the Editor:

There is an old adage that one should not watch sausage or legislation being made as the sight is repulsive. This seems to be especially relevant to the Medina City Council's attempt to ram through a Community Improvement Corporation (CIC) as an emergency measure.

From the people's House

Helping to make a meaningful difference in the lives of Ohioans is one of the primary reasons I enjoy the privilege of serving as your legislator. By listening to your views and representing them in the legislative process, we are able to craft legislation aimed at improving a given situation.

A moment with the congressman

Last weekend I attended the 10th Annual Rally for Troops in Cleveland. It was an honor to be there to welcome home so many of the brave men and women who have served in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. It was also great to see so many people have come out to welcome them home and recognize their service.

Recession is complex issue with many causes

To the Editor:

So a letter-writer from Litchfield (in the April 28 edition of The Post) believes the Great Recession was caused by "Democrats that forced the bankers to put everyone into their own homes."

Brown in your hometown

Justin Kuemerle, a Wright State University student, relies on federal student loans to help pay for school. He recently told me that without Stafford Loans, he would have to forgo college.

Obama admin perpetuates a divided nation

To the Editor:

President Obama likes to compare himself with President Lincoln, the first Republican President. There is a good reason for that. In Lincoln's day, President Obama's Democratic Party was against freeing black Americans from slavery.

Many people unaware of fluoride risks in water

To the Editor:

Have you thought about the fluoride in our drinking water? Here are some facts you should know:

Time Magazine included fluoride in its "Top Ten Common Household Toxins" on April 12, 2010.

Withholding donations puts services in jeopardy

To the Editor:

I am responding to a letter to the editor that was in the paper Saturday, April 21, titled "Withhold donations until 13 churches reopened."

Home-school parents can't have it both ways

To the Editor:

A little bit interesting, but doesn't take much math, to figure why the "home school" bunch (that be the parents) are so set against any funding for the public schools; may be because it would affect them since that is namely how schools are mainly funded in this state - through property taxes! Kid doesn't attend the schools, "then why should we take the hit." What the reasons are for home-schooling instead of school attendance could be anyone's guess - socialistic programs believed to be taught at the public, not wanting to associate with those attending the schools, have trouble getting up early, whatever. The state allows home rule, that's fine. Yet the property owner in this state still must realize that, as it is now, they will be required to pay for the schools, through property taxes, until public school funding schemes are changed. First in 1997, and several times since then, the way that the schools have been funded has been declared "unconstitutional;" if these people want to change all that, they need to work through the politics.

Something to think about this November

To the Editor:

Do we really want to give another four years to a president who believes our Constitution is nothing more than an old piece of paper that should be discarded or ignored when he sees fit; to a president who is hell-bent on eventually depriving you and me the right to defend ourselves with a gun; and whose plans are to eventually disarm all our citizens one way or another?

Guest Column

Although motorcycles represent a little more than 3 percent of all registered vehicles in Ohio, motorcycle fatalities in Ohio account for over 16 percent of the total traffic fatalities annually. Of those crashes, the majority of them are not the motorcyclist's fault and around 72 percent of them involve a car.

Publisher's notebook

A letter to the editor we received in Brunswick this week suggested that we start a bad road contest. We have received letters like this from multiple towns over the past year and the letter writer's suggestion struck me as a good idea.

A moment with the Congressman

Last week the trustees of the Medicare and Social Security Trust Funds released their annual report. The results, while not altogether surprising, are still disturbing.

From the people's House

One of the intrinsic problems in government is its ability to grow and convolute processes past their original intent. Generally, the more government we have, the more we spend and the more likely it is that someone will use it as an excuse to raise taxes. This is one of the primary reasons why I am such an advocate of small government.

Make a difference, come to township meetings

To the editor:

As a concerned citizen of Medina County, and a Montville Township resident, I want to let people know that they need to take one night to attend a township meeting. Meetings are held on the second and fourth Tuesday of the month.

Brown in your hometown

Ohio workers can compete with anyone in the world. And, every day, at places like Nook Industries in Cuyahoga County, Middletown Tube Works in Butler County and Crown Battery in Sandusky County, Ohio workers are making goods used all over the world.

Schools could use a little old fashioned budgeting

To the Editor:

"We are at it again. Another levy. We need ever more of your earnings."

It seems as though the Buckeye School Board gives more credence to the teachers unions contracts than economy of the parents and businesses that finance the schools. I have a solution for the shortage of finances. You do the job as all responsible heads of families do - cut the wages and fringe benefits of all employees, thereby relieving the pressure on parents and businesses. Had you noticed that unionized enterprises always grab more of your income and then cry when they can't get more?

Portman's votes show a loyalty to money donors

To the Editor:

I Googled the Senate vote on the Buffett Rule to see how my Senator, Rob Portman, voted.

I really didn't have to Google, I pretty much knew how he voted already. He's kinda predictable that way. He also voted against getting rid of tax subsidies for the oil companies - those poor companies that need a tax incentive from us to keep exploring 'cause they are so broke.

Moment with the Congressman

Rarely in Washington does each chamber of Congress demonstrate its priorities as clearly to the American people as they did this week. The Senate voted to raise taxes and the House voted to lower them. Here is what happened.

Think with your brain not your wallet

To the Editor:

"This information is paid for by the oil and natural gas industry" is how I read the final line of the anonymous American Patriot's latest diatribe. To me it seems obvious that whomever this person may be they have a vested economic interest in the oil and natural gas industries.