What now Ollie?

It seems that every day more bad news about the administration in Washington (President Bush or his appointees) is being revealed. The worst by far, is the treatment of returning disabled soldiers by the military and Veterans Administration. We sent these men and woman overseas to fight in Iraq and Afghanistan, and if injured, are returned to the US for care. Now, you don’t need to be an actuary to realize that if we send soldiers to war, there will be casualties and a need to hospitalize and treat them.

Our soldiers have been in active combat for over four years. Why didn’t the administration budget for, and provide funds to properly treat our returning soldiers? Is the president thinking about falling on his sword for the incompetence that is prevalent in his administration? He seems to make political appointees that are unable to perform their jobs. Political or religious philosophy is the only basis for appointment to a government job. From Supreme Court justice to the lowest political appointment the candidate must be vetted for both political and religious views.

I think it’s time we voted the leadership of the Republican party out of office and give some new candidates the opportunity to return our government to a philosophy of ”by the people and for the people”.

No drivers license and can’t read English

No drivers license and can’t read English

No drivers license and can’t read English. The result was a collision with a metro link train and a life lost. Before we consider giving a drivers license to a non English reading and speaking individual, the state must consider the danger that they are allowing to roam our streets and highways.

The same thought should apply to allowing Mexican truck drivers to drop off and pick up loads on our streets and highways. Can they read and speak English? Do the trucks and divers carry insurance in the event they cause injury or physical damage? Do the trucks burn low sulfur fuel or are they going to add to the pollution and particulate problem? Are the trucks safe and the drivers skilled enough to drive our freeways?

Is the administration (President Bush) willing to sacrifice our health and welfare in the name of NAFTA. I would expect that before any Mexican truck is allowed to freely roam the highways and byways of the United States they are inspected for having a qualified English reading and speaking driver, adequate insurance with a company based in the United States, and a safety inspected truck burning low sulfur fuel.

If the administration can’t insure these minimum requirements, then Mexican truck drivers should be banned from United States roads.