Crescent-News.com - 'To the editor'

Palmer got it right

Jack Palmer you are right on. His June 28 column on the dwindling American automobile purchases was timely. I have never seen so many imports being purchased by Defiance County residents. This used to be a GM town, or at least a town of American-made automobiles.

The problem is that even our GM cars now possess foreign-made parts or are manufactured overseas, but most are produced in the United States. Indeed some imports are assembled here (example, a Mercedes model is assembled in Spartanburg, S.C.) and we all know that some Honda and Toyota models are assembled here in the United States. Indeed, in Paulding, as chamber of commerce director, I have three chamber member companies which produce and assemble automotive parts for Honda and Toyota.

So, what is the answer to this problem? In my opinion, this does not excuse the fact that the profits from the sale of foreign trademarks then go to foreign entities. Therefore, if one feels that they prefer a foreign-name import, be sure that it is manufactured or assembled in our own United States.

Moreover, remember that profits go overseas. Yes, we have become global, but I really believe that if you have earned your livelihood in Defiance, you should be driving an American trademark.

Conrad Clippinger

Defiance

Know the truth about cap and trade

I am writing this letter because I feel the American people are not being told the complete truth.

Our government is so hungry for money because of the huge increases in spending that they are looking for any kind of tax to raise funds. Of utmost concern to all of us should be the cap and trade tax. Using the excuse of global warming, the carbon cap and trade tax is being offered as a way to reduce greenhouse gases.

Unlike nitrous oxide and other emission gases, there is no chemical or physical way to remove carbon dioxide from exhaust gases. Carbon dioxide is a byproduct of any kind of combustion and will be there unless combustion is stopped. The carbon cap and trade tax will not stop or lower carbon emissions. The program will simply be a tax levied by the federal government, passed on to you and me through foundries, refineries and our utility companies. The program will allow our government and elected officials to collect taxes and make someone else look like the bad guy. The legislators will not have to levy the taxes directly on you and me.

Cap and trade would reduce the allowed amount of carbon to a lower level emitted at an earlier stage of industrial development. Each factory, refinery or generating facility would be allowed to run with no extra charge until the restricted level is reached. Some carbon allowances will be provided free, but not the same amounts to every company. This will give government more control over non-favored companies.

From the restricted level the companies would have to buy carbon allowances to continue running. These allowances will be sold on the open market to the highest bidder, including oil shakes and billionaires. The factories and electric generating companies will be forced to buy allowances at these prices.

There are even suggestions that cattle be taxed above certain sized herds, and corn and soybeans above allowed acreage. Estimates are sure the increases in carbon allowance tax will cost us between $50 and $200 per month, per household. There are many of us who cannot afford an increase this large.

No one disagrees with meaningful efforts to clean our atmosphere, but a tax levied on us by legislators who are afraid to call a tax a tax, and who want to put blame on someone else while doing nothing to reduce greenhouse gases should be unacceptable to all of us. To add insult to injury the money collected would be used to further any social program of government's choice. There is no plan or stipulation the money be used to fund clean air or alternate energy research.

It is time we all know the truth about cap and trade. You can go to the website www.Ourenergy.coop for more information. This site will also provide a vehicle to reach your congressman and senators. You can also find your representatives online addresses at ussenate.gov.

It has quietly been pushed through the U.S. House of Representatives. We must all become active and contact our representatives. We must demand that any alternatives and changes be wise and, above all, affordable in these difficult economic times.

Dr. John Saxton

Oakwood

(Editor's note: Dr. John Saxton is president of Paulding Putnam Electric Co-op's board of directors.)

Garage sale a big success

A gigantic thank you and a round of applause are in order for the people who made the June 13 Garage Sale-a-thon in Wauseon for the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital a huge success. All in all the event brought in over $500 to go directly towards helping St. Jude and the valuable work it does and care it provides to thousands of patients every year.

Thank you to Trinity church for allowing us to borrow your tables. We had the perfect amount. Thank you to the businesses for their donations.

I also want to thank each and every person who came out to the Garage Sale-a-thon, well over 100 in total, to help us support the generous and important work the staff at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

The garage sale was a tremendous success this year, and I just wanted to recognize the community for coming out and making the event what it was.

Crystal Steffel

Wauseon