Letters: Kroger acquiring Albertsons will reduce competition, not prices

The Federal Trade Commission and Justice Department should stop the acquisition of Albertsons by Kroger. The usual false claims are being made such as creating efficiencies, lowering costs and reducing prices. The actual result is reducing competition, creating monopoly power and increasing prices for the consumer.

The United States over a century ago enacted anti-trust legislation to prevent this type of collusion, which creates power to monopolize businesses to the detriment of the public. Over 200 years ago, Scottish economist Adam Smith warned of this danger of reducing competition to the detriment of free markets. In recent times, studies have shown that after initial growth of a business, a learning curve will show no increased efficiency after a leveling off point. Unfortunately, basic economic education is lacking in our executive and legislative branches of our government.

Winston Folkers, East Walnut Hills

Glad nuns standing up for lives and dignity of women

Thank you to the Catholic Sisters of Charity, Peace, Mercy and Hope for their guest column to the Cincinnati Enquirer on April 2. In just four clear and forthright paragraphs, the Sisters condemned the punitive abortion laws that have "threatened the lives and dignity of women." In addition, they "lobby those in power to change systems that perpetuate injustice" and urge them to pass legislation that would result in building a truly pro-life culture, one that would provide the care and resources that families need to thrive and flourish.

How fortunate the citizens of Ohio are to have these extraordinary women living and working in our midst.

Linda Miller, Hyde Park

Bill seeking to limit what universities teach is un-American

Academia should not be bullied or intimidated or restricted by legislation. Our colleges and our universities are the fuel of our freedom. Your policies reek of indoctrination. The Ohio Higher Education Enhancement Act's (Senate Bill 83) sponsor speaks of freedom while restricting and limiting what our learned professors can provide to students. We cannot take the side of repression and call ourselves a democracy. We cannot limit education about China or Confucianism. It is the beauty of our democracy that embraces all truth and all investigation of information.

The Republican Party is developing policies and bills from a place of fear. Because it comes from a place of fear, it invokes fear. Now our politicians want our highly esteemed intelligentsia to be afraid to teach, to be afraid to protest, and to be afraid to exercise our freedoms in this country. This and all the other Nazi-like policies developed by this party is sickening. This is not an American bill.

The attack on diversity equality and inclusion is beyond mind-boggling. For years we have taught that the diversity brings out the best in people. It is the beauty of the salad plate that allows all the different vegetables to illustrate their beauty and not to be sucked into one pot. This bill reeks of the stench of white supremacy. We cannot allow an all-white Republican state Senate to ruin higher education in the state of Ohio. This run on the rights of our citizens has to be stopped at all costs.

I plead with you for those who believe in the ideals of America that you would take a stand against this bill. Americans are better than this, and it is shameful that the Republicans are stooping so low. They criticize the overreach of the federal government and yet the state government is bullying the citizens of the state. Stop all forms of this bill. Stand up for diversity of all people and show Republicans that we are the ideals of which we speak

Reggie Brazzile, Forest Park

Outlawing guns won't stop school shootings

Regarding the letter to the editor entitled, "Another school shooting, and nothing will be done about it": AR-15s are not a weapon of war. It is a one shot for one pull of the trigger. Anyone going into a war without automatic weapons wouldn't last long.  The AR-15 looks like an automatic weapon but it is not.

Outlawing AR-15's would, first, be unconstitutional and, secondly, Democrats would still call for them to be banned regardless of any situational use. Outlawing guns will not stop school shootings. Several of the school shootings happened because the shooter was mentally ill, they stole guns from a relative or obtained them illegally. How come the cities with the worst gun crime have the highest homicide rates (by gun) in the country?

The rounds shot by an AR-15 are various. I think it is safe to assume that these shooters knowingly buy the most damaging rounds. But the most important issue regarding guns is the fact that they are still owned by U.S. citizens.  Arms of the U.S. government have been flexing their muscles to gain more control over the citizenry. And now there will be 84,000 more IRS agents. Who is weaponizing the IRS? Congress. Why does the Department of Justice apply one set of rules for Democrats (leniency) and another set for everybody else (throw the book at them)? Why is Trump being indicted while the crooked Clinton and Biden families get away scot-free?

The letter writer was right about one thing − we have to get "these morally corrupt politicians" to remember who they work for. And if they don't do the job, out you go. What about term limits? That could be interesting.

Ed Hansen, Florence

No one could predict this much March Madness

Well, another March Madness has gone by, but this latest one was well worth watching, especially the game between Florida Atlantic and San Diego State. How many tournament games are decided in less than two seconds left on the game clock? The U Conn Huskies deserved to win it all, but how many of the "experts" predicted them to win or even get to the Elite Eight?

The standard Bible of college basketball − Lindy’s College Basketball Magazine did not have glorious reviews about either to the two teams in the final game. When the magazine came out last October, it listed their final 10 picks to do well in the season. Not one of their picks made it to the Final Four, and worse, there were two teams that the magazine’s pre-season Top Ten which did not even make it to the Big Dance.

As for Florida Atlantic, the magazine predicted the Owls to finish fifth in their conference (Conference USA). The magazine did say this about the Owls: "Pesky defense has defined (Coach) May’s style and FAU has the experience, length and athleticism to protect the basket and force turnovers." That talent carried the Owls into the championship game but unfortunately, the Owls met their match in the final game. The Owls shot only 32% for the whole game, compared to the Champs 43% from the field. The Huskies also dominated the Owls in every category: rebounding, steals, blocks, and free throw shooting. It was a great game even if you weren’t a fan of the Huskies.So, we can all look forward to next year’s Final Four in the State Farm stadium in Phoenix April 6 and 8. Can’t wait!Jim Horner, Lakeside Park

Bill raising threshold for ballot initiatives a threat to democracy

All Ohioans want their voices heard. Since 1912, the people of Ohio have used ballot initiatives to have a say in Ohio politics to make positive impacts on their communities. Unfortunately, House Joint Resolution 1 threatens this important democratic process. HJR1 intends to end majority rule by raising the threshold for ballot initiatives from 50% to 60% and requiring signatures from all 88 Ohio counties (instead of 44). To stop this from passing, we must call on our legislators to put an end to HJR1.

James Harrison, Mount Washington

Remodel of historic homes at Wright-Patt a waste of tax dollars

I think the public and our elected officials should know that Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton is going forward with over a $70 million dollar contract to remodel 29 historic officers homes on base. The estimated cost, before overruns, is $2.4 million dollars per home. This contract award was protested once but is now moving forward. This is an outrageous and egregious waste of taxpayer money and an example of our military's disregard for being a good steward of our tax dollars. The local congressman and senator should put a stop to this wasteful spending.

Deborah Busse, Liberty Township

Vote for policy not personality

According to a recent Monmouth University poll (March 21), 72% of Americans, including 54% of Democrats, believe that America is on the wrong track. Because of the fickle nature of the voting public, this number could certainly shift prior to November 2024 but, nevertheless, I'm already preparing my yard sign (which will not include a candidate's name or political party). It will simply read: "Be Smart, vote for Policy not Personality!"

Ollie Smith, Edgewood, Ky.

Studies question effectiveness of Alzheimer's drug

Regarding, "Flawed legislation blocks Alzheimer's research, cures," (Aug. 17, 2022): Although I very much agree with U.S. Rep. Brad Wenstrup regarding the need for finding a treatment for Alzheimer’s, I think it is important to note that the drug he is discussing in his guest column has questionable effectiveness in treating the disease. Two large studies looked into the effectiveness of the drug, and whereas one found that high doses slightly slowed, but did not stop or reverse, the disease progression, the other study did not show a benefit and was stopped early.

Although the FDA advisory panel did not approve the drug, the agency did decide to grant conditional approval  and gave Biogen, the company which makes the drug, nine years to confirm the drug’s possible benefit. There is much division among doctors and medical institutions regarding the use of the drug. There are likewise significant side effects, including cerebral hemorrhage and swelling.

It is important to look at all of the data in attempting to understand utilization and reimbursement issues.

Dr. Igor Dumbadze, Hyde Park 

China will continue to test the US

Now that it's been revealed that the Chinese balloon that traversed virtually the entire United States did in fact steal crucial intelligence, you can chalk up another failure to the Biden administration's foreign policy "efforts." Of course, at the time, they told us that nothing of consequence had occurred, so it makes you wonder if they're incompetent or just devious. In any event, you can bet that China will continue to test us, moving on to even more dangerous probes. Taiwan?

Howard Nielson, West Chester

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Letters: Kroger acquiring Albertsons will reduce competition, not prices