Editor, OBSERVER:
I could say Stephen Kershnar is misinformed, but I'll just say his commentary "Dependency issue hits election" was cruel, and without merit. The 47 percent he is referring to, are the soldiers defending his rights, the seniors who have worked all their life to build this country, and the unemployed who through no fault of their own get laid off due to outsourcing and corporate greed.
The thing you fail to mention in your commentary, is corporate profits are up to record numbers. Executives earn on average 42 times the rank and file workers. When gasoline went to $4 a gallon, I asked the person filling my tank if he had been given a raise because his company had made the largest profit ever recorded. He looked at me with a "are you serious" stare and said "No, still making minimum."
The problem with this country is not the 47 percent, but the 1 percent who own 90 percent of everything including our politicians, Republican and Democrat. Sharing the wealth and bounty of this great country was a staple of our democracy.
My father and mother raised 12 children on one paycheck. He was a shipping clerk not an executive. I don't suppose a shipping clerk would be able to manage that today.
You're right, dependence on the government is not the solution.
The government's role is to level the playing field for all. Controlling corporate greed should be its number one priority.
Lastly, Mr. Kershnar, you live in a glass house so stop throwing stones. Your paycheck is issued by the government so remember you're a dependent of the people.
GREGORY CATALANO,
Dunkirk
