IndyStar.com: Letters to the editor
Indiana's leading news source for all the top stories, local news, sports and weather.
Bayh being swayed by money from health-care interests
It is time for the people of Indiana to retire Evan Bayh as senator. He has consistently championed causes not in the interest of the good people of our state but for the industries, including health insurance giant WellPoint, that continually enrich...
Private sector boosts student loan program
Legislation passed recently by the U. S. House of Representatives to dismantle the student loan program is an example of an unnecessary government takeover. As a Sallie Mae employee, I have witnessed private/public sector cooperative efforts that...
Manual series exposes flaws, gives chance to fix them
I can’t tell you how saddened I am to read Matthew Tully’s series of columns on Manual High School. I have not lived in Indianapolis in almost 40 years, but one of my biggest thrills was to attend Manual’s 50th reunion last year. It...
Stubborn streak will keep Indiana in the black
I have to take issue with the front page of the Nov. 1 Star insinuating that Indiana is somehow slow and wrong ("Why Indy’s behind the pack’’). Before telling readers they are sickly, lazy and stupid, maybe The Star should do...
Time to clear the air of our unhealthful past
I have been encouraged the past few weeks by The Star’s support of smoke-free air in Indianapolis. I hope the well-though-out editorials and articles on Proposal 371 will help it pass sooner rather than later. Though in response to Francesca...
Violent act shouldn't be seen as expression of Islam
On behalf of Muslim Hoosiers, the Muslim Alliance of Indiana would like to express our profound sadness over the tragic incidents at Fort Hood, Texas. As Muslims, we are hurt by the unspeakable cruelty suffered by soldiers committed to preserving our...
Dangerous spending on Allisonville bike lanes
In this age of “unreason” it doesn’t surprise me that a bicycle lane will be installed along heavily traveled Allisonville Road from Binford Boulevard to 82nd Street, a stretch that included the most dangerous intersection in the...
Protect workers' deposits with Social Security reform
I work two jobs and attend Manchester College as a full-time student. I work very hard for the money I earn and I am responsible with my earnings. I deserve to receive the benefits that I am being promised from my tax dollars. If reform of the Social...
Spruced up and re-energized
In response to the Oct. 20 article “Windsor Village: signs of life,” describing a mortgage fraud scheme that led to 135 foreclosures in this already economically challenged neighborhood, I thought it worthy to share how something very...
Young people miss out on education in patriotism
Every year when we attend the Veterans Day parade (Nov. 11) in Downtown Indianapolis we are very aware of the absence of children and younger people. It would be wonderful if the principals of our schools would turn this occasion into a field trip....
Visitors greeted with true Hoosier hospitality
I was fortunate to meet recently one of Indianapolis’ finest ambassadors at the airport. Derrick Belton made sure two colleagues and I were taking the correct bus into Downtown Indianapolis as one was attending the Colts’ game and the...
Wishard won, but it's also victory for health reform
The Wishard bond issue is an example for the country about how to spend tax dollars on true health-care reform. This is a victory for everyone, not just those in Marion County. And most important this is a victory for all people who need quality...
Follow Warren Buffett on journey to our future
When will the nation wake up and build a national passenger rail system? The boost to the economy in planning, building and servicing a nationwide system would be tremendous. The fact Warren Buffett has put his confidence and cash into the rail...
Take the day to honor, remember those who serve
As a proud Desert Shield/Desert Storm veteran who is preparing for Veterans Day, I find it tragic that so many of my fellow Americans view Nov. 11 as just another day off work. I lost friends in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, and I made a promise to their...
Reach out today to prevent child abuse
Sadly, reports of child abuse, neglect, abandonment and even death make the news headlines nearly every day. In some instances, these tragic events could not have been predicted or prevented; however, in most cases, someone could have intervened to...
Celebration fails to translate into cultural experience
Having lived here for nearly six months and been disappointed in the community events designed by and for the Hispanic community, I went with my boyfriend to the Day of the Dead celebration at the Indianapolis Art Center. I was, to say the least,...
After year, it's clear he's failing to make grade
On Nov. 4, 2008, a smooth-talking politician with no leadership experience was elected president of the United States, and a liberal Congress took charge. The new commander in chief/chief executive and his supporters said they would get us out of...
Full support for general is right response in Afghanistan
I don’t know how many wars Ken Bode (“Time for Obama to show rogue general the door,” Oct. 30) fought for our country, but I served in the Army for 22 years and fought in Vietnam with a combat battalion. I learned that the United...
They work for us, not for gifts from big-money lobbies
As Mary Beth Schneider pointed out in her article (“On the table: ethics reform at Statehouse,” Oct. 28), the 2010 legislature may consider requiring lawmakers to report gifts worth more than $50 from lobbyists. Let’s get real....
President asked for advice and that's what he got
How lucky we are that Ken Bode is not in a position of importance. I could not believe what I read in Bode’s Oct. 30 column (“Time for Obama to show rogue general the door”). His call to fire Gen. Stanley McChrystal is beyond...
You must be 21 to enter: We take that seriously
In Indiana, there are 11,420 establishments licensed to sell alcohol. Of those, 1,044 permits have been granted by state and local boards to package store owners (with 169 in Marion County). Unlike most other establishments licensed to sell a...
Union-represented schools have plenty of winners
Russ Pulliam’s column, “A boost for charter schools,” Oct. 16, is yet another example of The Star’s love affair with charter schools. Pulliam cites Herron High School teacher Greg Lineweaver, one of this year’s two...
It's about our health and it's the mature thing to do
As the smoking-ban debate has raged on, I’ve heard everything from patriotism (City-County Council member Ginny Cain) to treating our citizens as responsible adults (Letters, Nov. 2) as reasons to continue the status quo. The problem with...
Bah, humbug! Increase in property tax brings no joy
Was it just me, or did anyone else receive at nasty little Christmas present from the Marion County treasurer? From 2008 to 2009: Assessed value is down 35.5 percent; the local tax rate is down 22.8 percent, but my property tax liability is up 6.24...
Indy Parks staff inspired by public's passion
With the help of The Indianapolis Star’s Editorial Board and the Friends of Holliday Park, Indy Parks and Recreation hosted a unique public forum recently at Holliday Park. This was the first forum bringing together residents, our friends...
Big thanks to mayor for treating us respectfully
Thank you to Mayor Greg Ballard for treating residents of Marion County as adults and not children. The anti-tobacco cabal lost, thanks to the mayor (according to Matthew Tully), but smokers of Marion County won their liberty. As an oral surgeon,...
Led by invisible man, city fails to progress
Matthew Tully’s column regarding Mayor Greg Ballard’s “veto” of the smoking ban was dead-on referring to our every man ("Ballard’s veto threat helped kill smoking ban,’’ Oct. 28). Smoking kills an...
Federal stimulus dollars help stabilize Medicaid program
The Arc of Indiana appreciates the difficulty of quantifying how many jobs have been saved or created by federal stimulus dollars. Gov. Mitch Daniels and state Rep. Pat Bauer are correct in being cautious to not overstate the impact. However, the...
Wishard's very existence hangs in balance
For more than 150 years, Wishard Hospital has cared for Indianapolis. Wishard exists because of the goodness, decency and humanity of our community. On Tuesday, you will decide whether Wishard will continue to exist. Wishard provides compassionate,...
Promises, promises: Don't believe taxes will never go
As the old maxim says, “The only certainty in life is death and taxes.” So if a governmental entity tells me it needs the ability to raise taxes, but promises not to raise taxes, I am skeptical. Health and Hospital Corporation is asking...
