Letters: Intel deal leaves unanswered questions. The filibuster used to obstruct people's will
There needs to be accountability for inequity of legislative maps
Kudos to the Ohio Supreme Court for overturning the state legislature’s redistricting map.
The court ruled that this map unduly favored Republicans. The map was drawn by Republicans.
More:Redistricting: Groups that sued over rejected maps say new versions still violate Constitution
We now have politicians who claim, without justification as was proven time and time again in our court system, that their party was cheated out of the presidential election blatantly attempting to cheat the system on their own behalf. Shame on our politicians.
Other than setting up a new map, there should be accountability demanded from those responsible for this inequity.
Wayne Branfield, Columbus
Why is Intel deal shrouded in secrecy and unanswered questions?
It makes perfect sense that many organizations and individuals are suspicious of the announced Intel plant.
The company did not select Licking County for their large investment without negotiations.
More:Here's how Ohio won a bid by Intel to build the world's largest chip factory
Why was this project kept secret? Who approved this project, how much is this
going to cost taxpayers and how many years does their tax abatement last?
More:DeWine administration stays quiet about what it offered Intel to lure company to Ohio
There was no mention of the excessive pollution or the incredible amount of water required for this type of manufacturing. There was no mention of the massive infrastructure updates required for this facility and the people required to run this facility.
More:As Ohio welcomes Intel, DeWine-Husted gains talking point for reelection bid
Who is paying for the roads, housing, sewage systems, schools and the other required infrastructure? All that has been made public are the benefits of jobs in the construction and operation of this plant.
There are two sides to every story. We have only been presented with one view. Ask yourself why.
Kathy J. McGlone, Columbus
More:How to submit a letter to the editor for The Columbus Dispatch
Filibuster obstructs the will of the people and allows minority rule
Call me old-fashioned, but I think majority rule is better than minority rule. When you get together and take a vote, the winning side should be the one with the most votes.
That should also apply in the U.S. Senate.
The U.S. Constitution specifies only a certain few questions that have to be decided by 2/3 or 3/4 majority, including ratification of treaties and amendments to the Constitution. We can infer, therefore, that other questions are to be decided by a simple majority.
More:Letters: Filibuster 'poison pill' that will destroy civilization.
The contention that the filibuster protects minority interests is false. The filibuster is designed not to ensure that minority viewpoints are heard, but to enable the minority party to block the majority.
The filibuster is used to obstruct the will of the people. It’s time to end minority rule and to declare our commitment to majority rule.
More:Letters: Rule-preserving Democrats living in a filibuster fantasy world.
The Constitution makes the vice president of the United States the president of the Senate. The president of the Senate should use that authority to declare the filibuster unconstitutional and make it clear that only a simple majority is needed to pass legislation or to end debate.
Randall Condra, Columbus
Kudos to Dispatch for offering forum for diverse viewpoints
The Dispatch is to be applauded for allowing diverse and sometimes contrarian views to be published in the daily Letters to the Editor page.
The letters are a perfect way for readers to express their opinions to the community about pressing issues of the day and is a unique media platform that only a local newspaper can give.
Thank you, Dispatch, for giving us a written speakers’ corner that truly gives us all the freedom of written speech.
Michael Oser, Columbus
