Letters
Letters to the Editor
Highlands Today
Published: June 14, 2012
Romney's worldPublished: June 14, 2012
In response to Michael Lee's Letter, "Mitt Romney," I would like to point out that he did not make a case for Mitt Romney's understanding of the middle class. Rather, he begged the questions I posed, and instead, attacked President Obama.
My point simply was that there is nothing in Romney's background that would indicate he understands the plight of the middle class and the poor.
He was a successful businessman in large part because he started out with a large family inheritance. He did not start with nothing and pull himself up from the middle class as other millionaires did. Because of his wealth, he was able to attend the best schools, which helped him get a job at Bain Capital where he added to his fortune.
There is nothing in his background that would indicate he had contact with poor or middle-class people. Certainly, other presidents came from a wealthy background.
Unlike Franklin Roosevelt, a wealthy patrician, Romney suffered no life-threatening illness, which most historians credit for FDR's concern for the poor.
Unlike John Kennedy, a millionaire, Romney did not serve in the military, which would have brought him into contact with middle-class and poor people and opened his eyes to the suffering of people in war.
Rather, Romney chose to use five deferments during the Vietnam War, a war he favored, to finish college and become a Mormon missionary.
As a missionary he chose to go to France, not some Third World country where he would have seen poverty and perhaps become sympathetic to the plight of the poor.
Mitt Romney had all the benefits of a rich, sheltered life. His friends and associates have been other millionaires. Any contact he had with poor and middle-class people has been from a distance.
Nothing in his background indicates he achieved the American dream on his own. Romney started out wealthy and became wealthier.
Without an understanding of the problems of the poor and middle class, I simply don't see how he can care for their welfare.
Anthony D'Angelo
Lake Placid
Sunday is Father's Day
Let us not forget June 17 is Father's Day.
As we get older, isn't it amazing how our dads get smarter and he can do almost anything? He has gained lots of experience all of a sudden as we are grown up. We realize how we could have learned so much more if we would have listened to him a little more when he was trying to talk to us.
What is a dad? He is a person forced to endure childbirth without an anesthetic. It takes more than blood to be a good dad. He is a person who's loving and kind and he can listen, suggests and can be one of our very best friends. He has patience (most of the time) and is proud of our triumphs. When things go wrong he can be helpful and strong if you want to listen to his advice.
If you have your dad, tell him you love him (men can show affection, too). Show him you aren't a sissy and be proud of him while he is still with you, because once he goes, he is gone.
If your dad has gone, as my dad has, you will hopefully have good memories to cherish and to reflect back on.
Remember some of the favorite sayings that dads have: "Go ask your mother," "I love you, son," "I love you, princess," "Be home early," and my favorite one is, "That is not a tear, I have something in my eye."
Cherish and love all the days you have them. Give them lots of hugs and kisses and do some of the household chores and he will appreciate you that much more.
As the years go by, you will be more proud to call him your dad. Thank him for listening, caring, giving and sharing.
Thank your mom, too, as she chose that great guy to be your dad. Let's not forget all the dads on their special day. Forget the gifts of ties, candies, etc. Give him a big hug and kiss and say, "Thanks, Dad."
Happy Father's Day to all you great guys out there.
Suzanne Krueger
Lake Placid