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Peoples column

Tax tilt likely going to the middle class

The bad news is that taxes in America are tilted in favor of the rich. The best news is that we could be only weeks away from a tilt in favor of the middle class: the reforms President Biden is urging to help balance the Administration’s $3.5 trillion budget bill. The changes won’t be going as far as the president first proposed. Congress writes the laws, and House Democrats have already dialed back on Biden’s wish list. Even so, the bill will almost certainly reflect a sharp shift in America’s priorities. As Biden himself puts it, “My tax policy is based on a simple ...

One party letting county down

Editor, OBSERVER: Chautauqua County has the highest unemployment, is the poorest county in the state, lowest per capita income, and the largest exodus of residents leaving a county. This has all occurred under Republican administrations. When you do the same thing over and over again and get the same results, its called insanity. Time for a change. FRANK PAGANO, Fredonia

Create standards in redistricting

Editor, OBSERVER: In 2013 the Supreme Court of the United States struck down many provisions of the 1965 voting rights act reasoning that enough progress had been made in certain areas that statutory protections were no longer needed. This decision has had the effect of essentially changing from an environment where the lawmakers had to make the case that their legislation did not negatively effect voters access to the power of their vote, to a new situation where they can pass laws and see if there are any complaints. Electoral districts are laid out based on census data and the ...

What direction does the city go?

This is the time for reflection and promise, and most importantly the time to let our voices be heard about the issues facing us here in the city of Dunkirk. Do we retain the status quo or vote change? Do we believe what we are hearing from the candidates, or do we challenge what is being said? There are some critical issues facing our city, not the least of which includes the NRG property, a privately owned piece of property. Let me be clear on this issue. The property and plant known as NRG in the city of Dunkirk is privately owned. The owners of the property pay the city $135,000 ...

What really matters in life

Editor, OBSERVER: I find myself floundering among enormous amounts of information coming at me from hundreds of sources. I find that it helps me and perhaps may help other readers to re-focus on what is important: ¯ Equality not equity. ¯ Freedom of will not collectivism. ¯ Facts not propaganda. ¯ Realism not progressivism. ¯ Truth not indoctrination. ¯ Efficiency not folly. ¯ Respect not hatred. ¯ Love of life not violence. ¯ Perseverance not fear. ¯ Freedom not control. JAMES COUGHLIN, Dunkirk

Virtual debate is wrong setting

Editor, OBSERVER: I have given formal presentations on ophthalmology and vision science in North America and Europe over 47 years. I have attended Meet the Candidates events of the League of Women Voters of Chautauqua County annually from 2001 through 2019. I have appeared at these events as a candidate in 2004 and 2018. These have involved presentations and dialogues among competing candidates sitting side-by-side on a dais. I always appreciated the League’s strong moderation and technical expertise which permitted voters to see the abilities and positions of the candidates. I ...