Letters: Kroger CEO not earning his $19 million salary. DeWine making sure we 'never forget'

Kroger CEO needs to do more to earn his $19 million

It was interesting to see that the CEO of Kroger had a great year, salary wise.

Nineteen million dollars. What does the President of the USA make? A lot less than that I believe.

All I know is that a lot of my family and friends in Gahanna are now shopping at Giant Eagle and Fresh Tyme because they are tired of continuing to find empty shelves in our local Kroger store.

I am tired of hearing the excuse that “we just can’t find people willing to work." Maybe Kroger should look harder at what they are paying their workers.

More: Filing: Kroger paid CEO $19M in 2022, typical worker almost $29K

If they paid more, maybe they could hire enough people to stock their shelves, bring carts in from the parking lot and get the pallets of food out of the shopping aisles. Looks to me like simple things to fix for a man making $19 million.

Michael G Federer, Gahanna

Rep. Mike Carey voted to eliminate Ohio jobs

The debt ceiling plan that Rep. Mike Carey voted for recently in Congress should be called the Ship U.S. Jobs Overseas Act.

The vote was a shameless attempt to destroy investments in the Inflation Reduction Act that are already spurring job growth here in Ohio.

Since the signing of the Inflation Reduction Act, 5,200 jobs and nearly $8 billion in investment have been announced in Ohio alone. This includes investments like the Honda and LG battery factory creating jobs right here in Carey’s district.

More: White House says McCarthy debt ceiling plan would kill thousands of green jobs in GOP districts

More: McCarthy, GOP debt limit plan proposes $4.5 trillion in cuts, eliminates student loan forgiveness

With his vote Carey voted to eliminate Ohio jobs. He voted against our national security, against tackling climate change and pollution reduction, and against revitalizing U.S. manufacturing.

Lee Geisse, Ohio regional program manager, BlueGreen Alliance

Mike DeWine helping to make sure we never forget

On behalf of JewishColumbus, we extend our profound appreciation for Governor Mike DeWine’s recent column in the Columbus Dispatch discussing the lessons of the Holocaust and its connection to modern-day bigotry. His willingness to address such a critical topic with clarity and conviction demonstrates his unwavering commitment to promoting understanding, tolerance, and combating discrimination.

Mike DeWine: From Holocaust to Nazis at Columbus drag brunch, history teaches, can repeat

The Holocaust stands as a somber reminder of the consequences of hatred, bigotry, and the dangerous ideologies that can permeate societies if left unchallenged. The experiences his father witnessed are lessons we must never forget. It is important that we bridge the gap between this historical atrocity and the persistent issue of antisemitism in our modern world.

Mike DeWine: Remind neo-Nazis of the horrors of Dachau

We extend our deepest gratitude for his leadership and courage in addressing this problem. His words resonate deeply, reminding us that the fight against hate is an ongoing battle that requires vigilance, education, and unwavering commitment.

More: Here’s how local Jewish and Black leaders are partnering to help the Black community

Actions, as they say, speak louder than words. And his actions speak volumes, embodying the true essence of leadership. Be it strengthening Holocaust education, providing security grants, or supporting our kids on Ohio’s campuses through executive action – we thank him for his unwavering dedication and tireless efforts on behalf of all Ohioans.

Liz Shafran, Chair, Board of Trustees, JewishColumbus

Mental health just one factor in gun death problem

I will not stop talking until we begin to seriously tackle the issue of all the tragic loss of life due to guns in our country.

Sure, dealing with mental health issues is a major component of any strategy to lessen gun deaths; but, it doesn’t negate the need for effective and common-sense gun ownership regulations. How can we raise the mental health issue without making sure those unfortunate enough to have serious mental illness do not have access to guns.

Our view: 'Extremely chaotic’ Second bloody weekend in Short North shows we’re being failed

Just like the argument that gun control won’t stop criminals from obtaining guns, most mass shootings, suicides, and accidents are not caused by criminals.

Are not all our lives worth an all-out effort on many fronts to lessen gun deaths?  --

Joe Barmess, Pataskala

Doctors need a lesson

On May 3, the Dispatch printed an opinion piece from three Cleveland physicians who favor the proposed amendment to the Ohio Constitution that would disallow the state imposing any burden on a woman seeking an abortion.

Doctors: Parents will watch babies born only to suffer and die if barbaric bill reinstated

The writers claim that 2,000 neonatal intensive care admissions are prevented annually — by killing the babies before they are naturally born. The writers (one of whom is a neonatologist) state that "As physicians, we have sworn an oath to protect our patients."

Killing them via induced abortion is not protecting them. I am an obstetrician, and I also took an oath to protect my patients —including those in the womb.

The writers refer to cases in which a baby is diagnosed with conditions expected to lead to death in labor or soon after birth. They imply that leading the parents to abort the baby is the civilized thing to do.  I urge them to learn about perinatal hospice care, delivered in central Ohio through Nationwide Children's Hospital.

Just as adults with terminal illnesses are comforted and their families supported by hospice care, perinatal hospice care does the same for babies in the womb.

Dr. Alan Murnane, Westerville

Find Republican Party stranglehold here

Let’s not be in too much of a rush to usher out Ohio’s state tourism slogan, “Find It Here.”

If you are a tourist passing through or considering moving here, “Buyer Beware” might apply.

Why?

Because “Find it Here” entails an existing Republican Party stranglehold on citizen representation and rights from controlling and curtailing voting, muzzling and dictating K-college and university policies, usurping women’s choices in health care and abortion, ignoring gender care rights, and proliferation of guns and lax laws on use.

More: Ohio's returned to its old tourism slogan, here's why

Amelia Robinson: With cringeworthy 'Find it Here' dust, Ohio should act like 'Heart of it All'

Sadly, it might be best to not tarry too long in a state that has much to offer, but from those in charge, not much heart.

Susan B. West, Athens

Brian Stewart should be elected by his own rules

If Rep. Brian Stewart truly believes that a 60% majority should be required to protect you and me from foolish or dangerous choices being made on constitutional ballot initiatives, perhaps he should sponsor a bill to require 60% of the voters to reelect him.

Opinion: Disrespectful, dishonest Brian Stewart owes apology to me and every other Ohioan

Kay Kingsley, Circleville

Don't be fooled by scare-tactics

In her May 12 letter to the editor, Meredith Freedhoff says that she is “deeply concerned” that the reproductive rights ballot initiative language will “eliminate current parental consent and notification laws."

Meredith Freedhoff: Parents are being attacked on every front

It will not. For our children ages 18 and above, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA), passed in 1996, will protect sensitive patient health information exactly as it does today.

For our children under 18, we can continue to be involved and supportive. We will maintain our ability to guide our children as we do today. There is no fight to have here. If you are tired of scare-tactics and divisive language, please read the ballot language for yourself.

Melissa Sull, Gahanna

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Kroger CEO needs to do more to earn his $19 million