LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

To the editor: Democrats must focus on education

Traditional, 4-year colleges have priced themselves out of reach for many in the middle class, according to a Blade reader.

Senate Democrats missed a huge opportunity to impact the recent tax bill. By embracing tax reform instead of being obstructionist, they could have been in position to effect real change, like a $15/​hour minimum wage and tying lower corporate tax rates to hiring, capital equipment purchase, and apprenticeship programs.

There will still be other opportunities.

In today’s economy, where a college degree is increasingly mandatory for getting a job, and where the traditional four-year college has priced itself out of reach for many, it’s time to institute a free two-year community college or trade-school program leading to an associate’s degree. 

We have thousands of good-paying trade jobs going unfilled due to a lack of trained workers. Teach those skills, or use the two-year associate’s degree to reduce the cost of a four-year school. Either way, it’s a win for the middle-class and for the country as a whole.

JAMES HUTTNER
Sylvania 

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Dark side to AT&T story

Republicans promised that households would receive, on average, a yearly $4,000 wage increase with their new tax plan. They also claimed that the corporate tax plan would produce new jobs in the U.S.

AT&T was praised for giving its workers bonuses after the tax bill passed. Now the real story needs to be told.

After negotiations with the Communication Workers of America, AT&T would only share a $1,000 with its employees while reaping hundreds of millions dollars from the tax cut. AT&T also announced that it will lay off 1,500 employees.

Is this the same tax plan that is helping families in America?

ROBERT HULL
Rossford

ODOT shares blame in death

ODOT should also be accountable for the death of Marquise Byrd. A fence should have been constructed on the Indiana Avenue overpass.

Marquise’s 2-year-old son will not have his father.

DIANE REICHOW
Angola Road