I get the frustration expressed by Donlon Wade (“Avoid Choosing the Lesser Evil, Oct. 11.)” I admit to having great dismay and actual fear of Donald Trump’s lack of policy, lack of suitable temperament, extreme lack of familiarity with truth and facts, and his appeals to race-baiting and authoritarian approaches.
I also admit dismay over Secretary Clinton’s unclear relations with Wall Street, but I do believe she has a strong resume and an understanding of the gray areas that exist in a global world. I also “get it” that frustration with both major parties has driven people to look elsewhere for ideas and representation.
This may reflect my own lack of familiarity with the Green Party, but it seems to be sort of a Brigadoon — we hear most from it every four years. Where is it during the other electoral cycles? Where is it organizing at the different levels of government?
Politics in America has always been the art of compromise. It is rare for an entire policy platform to be moved into legislation, and it is rare for policy ideas to move into legislation as they were originally proposed. Compromise can be frustrating, but that is how ideas gain the most broad-based traction possible and then move forward. Those who want to be ideologically “pure” are likely to appeal to a very narrow base with little hope of electoral and policy success. Just look at the GOP’s pain and dysfunction in this election and its prospects for the future as its base continues to narrow.
I hope that Greens will rethink where their vote will support not the lesser evil but the greatest opportunities for their policy agenda to move in the direction they want to see. Mr. Trump and the GOP offer no support at all for the Green agenda, while Secretary Clinton and the Democrats offer some (perhaps much) support for the agenda. Then, please spend the next electoral cycle recruiting candidates and being more visible to get your message out. Increased visibility will more likely lead to increased influence in our political lives.
Paul EtkindGrantham
Supporting Janet Gibson
On Tuesday, Nov. 8, all area voters will have the opportunity to cast their ballots. In Sullivan County, one of those key votes will be for the office of Register of Deeds. Although many residents may not be aware of the inner workings of the office, the registry is the hub of all real estate-related matters in the county — annual real estate transfer taxes total many thousands of dollars.
As a real estate title abstractor and conveyancer since 1973, I have had the opportunity to observe and work in each of New Hampshire’s 10 county deeds registries. I have always found the Sullivan County Registry of Deeds to be most efficient, collegial and technically savvy. In this upcoming election I heartily endorse the Republican candidate, Janet Gibson. She is presently the acting interim register.
Gibson served as the Lempster tax collector for three years (2004-2007). She has now worked at the Sullivan County registry for nearly a decade. She was named deputy register in January 2015, and due to the death of the register was appointed to that post in the spring of 2015. Her many years of service have made her cognizant and capable in all aspects of deed transfer work.
As register Gibson has been charged with a most important fiduciary status — this is certainly a large business enterprise which requires acumen and being bonded. Lastly, the current staff functions with high morale, positive personality and dedication to the general public.
Janet Gibson deserves your electoral support. I strongly urge that you cast your vote for her.
Gordon B. Flint Jr.Newport
Vote for Local Control
Who should make decisions that affect you, your family, your town? Should it be faceless bureaucrats in Concord or maybe Washington? Do they really know what is best for you or your town? Is a one-size-fits-all solution likely to be a good solution?
I believe in local control as much as possible. I believe that the people most affected by a decision, the people closest to a problem, should have the biggest say in decisions. My record shows that I consistently supported the right of individuals, families and towns to decide what was best for them. The other side thinks that state and federal governments know best, that one-size-fits-all programs will fit you well. Their records show them consistently voting for state control above towns and families, and voting for federal control above all.
If you agree that you, your family and your neighbors should have the right as much as possible to decide what is best for yourselves, then please vote for me, Spec Bowers, the Republican candidate, to be your state representative for Newport, Sunapee, Grantham, Plainfield, Unity, Cornish, Springfield and Croydon.
Spec Bowers Georges Mills
Help Syria With Food, Not Arms
Having watched with horror and disgust the Assad regime (and its Russian helpers) treatment of civilians in Aleppo and other areas of Syria, I have asked myself if I were in leadership, what would I do to protect these people?
The answer is clear: We must not escalate the armed conflict. We must try to break the cycle of violence.
We should announce with dates and times and types of aircraft to be used a massive airlift of food, medicine, water, blankets and clothes to the besieged areas. In 1948-1949, we cared for almost 2 million West Berliners for almost six months during the Soviet land blockade. Surely we can feed 220,000 people in Aleppo. If anyone or anything rises to challenge or take out our airlift, we should eliminate them.
Give peace a chance, but be aware of the vicious humans who oppose it.
Matt CardilloSharon