Brown's explanation for inflation won't fly with Ohioans | Letters

In an interview on MSNBC, we got a glimpse of the strategy that U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown will use when his campaign gets underway next year. He said that the reason grocery prices are so high is because the prices reflect the fact that "consumers are paying for executive bonuses and stock buybacks." Does he think that Ohioans won't recognize this aged "pit the poor against the rich" ploy from the Democrat playbook? Does he think that Ohioans don't know that the inflation we're experiencing is from the wasteful government spending that he's supported 100%. Come on, Mr. Brown, you'll embarrass yourself if you try to go down that road.

Janice Wilson, Mason

Anti-Zionism is not always antisemitism

As a U.S. citizen, I am embarrassed by the recent congressional resolution that passed 311-14 proclaiming that anti-Zionism is antisemitism. As stated by Rep. Jerry Nadler, who is Jewish, it is "simply inaccurate to call all anti-Zionism antisemitic."

This lopsided vote illustrates, once again, how beholden our Congress is to the Israel lobby. Under this resolution, if I criticize Israel's indiscriminate bombardment of Gaza resulting in thousands of innocent civilians being killed and injured, I am an anti-Semite. This would ignore the fact that I also condemn the United States part in that terror campaign.

The saving grace of that vote for me is that my representative, Thomas Massie, had the courage to be the sole Republican to vote no. Thank you, Rep. Massie. The world needs a ceasefire in Gaza now.

Phillip King, Covington

Two-nation solution key to peace between Israel and Palestine

Regarding, "Israel blames UN for Gaza aid delays," (Dec. 12): Israel’s approach to the present horrific situation needs to be more "ferreting out" of Hamas than air strike destruction of all of Gaza that may also be harming the hostages. United Nations agencies say there is no safe place to flee.

Israelis and Palestinians, whether Jew, Muslim, Arab or other, have more cultural similarities to one another than they do, for example, to citizens of Iceland, Mexico, or Japan. That makes for one basis for neighbors living peacefully.

All peoples residing in the war zone yearn for a peaceful home. That dream could well be realized by finding a two-nation solution for Israel and Palestine.

Gail Miller, Western Hills

Biden impeachment inquiry nothing but GOP's revenge

I'm fed up with the shameless political games being played by House Republicans with the Biden impeachment inquiry. It’s nothing but a desperate attempt to damage the president, all to divert attention away from their own lack of accomplishment and the criminal charges looming over former President Donald Trump.

Instead of focusing on the real issues that impact our communities or finally passing a budget, Congressman James Comer is helping House Speaker Mike Johnson attack President Biden despite a total lack of evidence to support moving forward. It’s empty and spiteful politics, all being done to help Trump win in 2024.

How do we know it’s empty? Because even their fellow Republicans have said so. After almost a year of hearings, reviewing tens of thousands of pages of documents, and getting everything they’ve asked for, they’ve been unable to come up with a single shred of evidence of wrongdoing by President Biden, either while in office or as a private citizen.

The voters in our district deserve better. We want the focus on real progress: reducing costs, strengthening our economy, and protecting programs like Medicare and Social Security − not endless theatrics and fake hearings.

It's time for Comer and his fellow Republicans to put aside party loyalty, end this empty impeachment, and instead focus on the issues that truly matter. And if the GOP won’t, we will hold them accountable for their skewed priorities in 2024.

Kelli McIntosh, Cold Spring

Time to stand up against restrictive abortion laws

I'm writing to shed light on the chilling effects of restrictive abortion laws, as seen in the distressing cases of Brittany Watts in Ohio and Kate Cox in Texas. These women's stories are not just headlines; they are stark reminders of the dire consequences when politics override health care.

Watts' ordeal in Ohio, where she faced legal action after a stillbirth, and Cox's struggle in Texas to obtain a medically necessary abortion, reveal a grim reality: The health exceptions touted in these laws are a mirage. Women's health and lives are being gambled away in a political power play.

The irony is bitter. Remember when Republicans screamed about "death panels" under the Affordable Care Act? Now, their policies are creating a scenario far worse, making critical health care decisions based on draconian laws, not medical necessity.

It's high time we face facts. These restrictive laws are not about protecting life; they're about controlling women's bodies and choices. The path forward is clear: We need a Congress that supports women's rights, a president committed to safeguarding our health, and laws that genuinely protect our right to choose.

Let's not mince words. This fight is about freedom, health and justice. We must stand together, elect leaders who will fight for our rights, and push for legislation that respects and protects women's autonomy. Our voices must be heard, for the sake of every woman who has been, or could be, in Watts' or Cox's shoes.

Tessa Grant, Westwood

Sex ed, better health care would help curb abortions

While I agree we need to stop abortions as birth control, we need more education on sex and birth control in schools and homes. Teens will experiment with sex if they do not have the proper education. There are all kinds of birth control methods that are available, not just abstinence, which does not work in most cases due to peer pressure. Just because the parents do not want their kids to have sex, the kids are going to anyways without the proper knowledge of what can happen when they have sex.

We also need good health education for those who want it so we can stop unwanted pregnancy for those kids whose parents simply say "my kid is not going to have sex because they do not talk about it at home, so they do not know about it." Kids talk to each other about how good it feels and how their partners make them feel, even though they are just getting a cheap thrill.

We also need good health care for those who do end up getting pregnant. Right now, we have tons of kids in foster care because we do not have enough people adopting, and with an abortion ban, there will be even more, so what about those kids lives?

This is a complex problem that needs more than a one-size-fits-all solution that does not work for all. We have mothers losing their lives due to medical problems with their pregnancy because they can not have an abortion that they need, due to some right-to-life people. This may only be a small portion of people getting abortions, but they are still people who have good lives, are someone's kids, someone's wife, someone's mother, someone's family member who is loved. While every life is precious, what about the mother's life that may be lost due to not having the abortion that is medically necessary? What about the life of the child who now has genetic problems?

Jerry Eldredge, Wilmington

Column on climate zones was a wonderful escape

It was a pleasure to read Chris McKeown's Oct. 1 column, "What the new climate zone map means for local gardeners." His well-written words explaining the various temperature zones was not disappointing. After all the bad things that are going on in the world, his column is a wonderful escape and also learning experience.

Carol Huether, Newport

What is America’s top 1% good for?

Monday’s "Top 1% richer than entire middle class" column opened with: "Many economists say concentration of wealth bodes ill for the country." I believe that to be true − too many left-wing socialist economists who are opposed to America’s free market system.

My quick research found that the top 1% pay more than a quarter of their income in tax. And the top 1% pay more tax than the bottom 90% of taxpayers.

What today’s reporters should be asking is: What would America look like if socialists removed the products produced by the 1% from our department stores, and from the shelves of our grocery stores?

And I ask: What would America look like if a loss of opportunities succeeded in stopping immigrants from gracing our shores?

Randy McKnight, Clifton

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Brown's explanation for inflation won't fly with Ohioans | Letters