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An open letter of praise to The Batavian

By Bob Harker

Howard and Billie, you are to be commended on allowing uncensored comments and replies on this site.

Howard, though at times we are on opposite ends of the spectrum in our views, never once have you deleted my comments, or those of others - with only one exception I am aware of in which the poster was abusive towards others.

This open policy of The Batavian may seem to be a given, but in these politically correct times it is rarely seen - either here locally or in the larger metro markets.

I attribute a large part of The Batavian's success to your respect of free speech. It is amazing to me that so many "news" organizations - that make their living through freedom of ideas and speech - censor what they consider to be socially or politically incorrect comments.

Keep up the good work. It's appreciated.

Bob

New York States abusive spending

By David Wold

Recently there has been talk of yet another increase in taxes and cuts to Medicare etc. I would like to know whythere hasn't been any mention of expense account cuts for all of our polititians and government employees? On a regular basis I am seeing abuse of expense accounts and abuse of taxpayers money for personal use by public officials and government employees (by government employees I mean all levels of government).

Do taxpayers even understand how their hard earned money is being used to keep these people living the lifestyle they are living?  If 4000 polititians in New York State put $50.00 per week ( and we all know it is alot more than that) on their expense account taking someone out to dinner that is $10,400,000.00 per year !!  If 4000 polititians put $20.00 per week on their expense account for gas in their vehicle that is another $4,160,000.00  I have seen where 7 people were at a meeting, after the meeting they all decide to go to a somewhat high end restaurant for something to eat. One public official tells the other 6, have what ever you want, I'll just put it on my expense account!!  Why are we paying for this stuff? Who pays for our food?  WE DO!! Who pays for the gas we put in our vehicles?  WE DO!! Why is multi-millions of taxpayers money being used to feed all of these people? Why are we paying for stuff for these people when we have to pay for our own if we want something. Then the first thing out of these people is "Raise Taxes" or "Make cuts" on things that people at our level really need?  When is the last time a polititian thanked anyone for their medical insurance?  I happen to know a number of people that cant afford to buy it but we are buying it for all these government employees and polititians!!

The abuse of taxpayers money is way way way out of control and I think it needs to start getting questioned!! This stuff is happening everyday on a much higher level than my examples and it has gotten to be no more than a free ride on the taxpayers!!  What are all of these politiians actually doing anyway?  You can never get ahold of any of them and if or when someone from their office should happen to "get back to you"-gee, sorry there isn't anything we can do to help or you'll have to call someone elses office for that. I have had personal experience on that one too!!

I think it is time to get a true look at the wasteful spending in this state!! The spinning that goes on in this state is nothing more than their way of keeping the public eye off themselves and what they are really doing and that is MAKING us pay out of our own pockets for their fat plush lifestyle!!!

BIGOTS OUT IN FULL FORCE ON AOL

By Bea McManis

A quick look at AOL's News comments indicated that the bigots are out in full force. Some comments should, in my opinion, be removed, but AOL appears to thrive on this type of community back biting. Our country took the first step in healing the wounds the inept Bush administration caused for eight years. Electing Obama may not set well with the bigots. However, they are a small minority.

Quite honestly, if I were elected president and faced the 'clean up' job required to put this country back together after the many years of Republican rule, I would ask for a recount. It isn't going to be an easy job.

Will Obama raise taxes? Quite possibly, but who did you think was going to pay for the debt Bush foisted upon us? When did you think that bill would come due? I applaud the Obama victory and pray that President elect Obama will find the strength and the wisdom to lead this country out of the mire caused by the Bush years.

When, in your recent memory, did you see one of our presidential elections greeted with such a positive impact around the globe?

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