As a state, let’s prevail

Dear Editor,

The people of Alabama follow the honor and values of this state and defend the ones that will continue to protect the society of Alabama.

With all the corruption going on in this state's political spectacle, it is up to the citizens to not turn a blind eye by not allowing the hypocritical politicians to continue to try to control us any longer.

All the sweetheart deals being made behind closed doors will only continue to allow the powerful to be more powerful while pockets continue to be lined and the hardworking individuals continue to suffer.

The political humiliation going on, from trying to steal our constitutional rights, give it to the huge corporate contributors and leaders without we the people knowing is inexcusable. It is our right just to protect and defend our rights and let the voices of Alabama be heard by getting out to vote.

No political figure should ever take the public's privileges away to vote. It is up to the great people that reside in this state to stand up and let the politicians of Alabama know we will not shut up and follow, that we will allow our voices to be heard.

As a state, let's prevail; it belongs to the people not the politicians! VOTE......

Paul Glass

Tallassee

Why not here in the US?

Dear Editor,

This is an open letter to President Barack Obama.

I recently became aware of the announcement by General Motors of close to a $500 million investment in an auto plant in Mexico that would directly create 390 jobs. I find it quite puzzling and incredible that such an investment would be made outside the United States when our national unemployment rate is 9.5 percent and our economy is in such dire straits. Was there no place in the US that you and "Government Motors" could find that would meet the goals of the company?

I'm sure that you and the company have considered many more critical goals. However for now, please advise me if any or all of the above goals were included in the government controlled auto company's decision making process concerning this investment. Obviously these four goals are extremely important to our country particularly in these economic times.

Was there no place in the US where the above goals could be met? Why not build the plant in Detroit? It must be one of the most economically depressed cities in our country. If not Detroit, I suggest Alabama. I would like to remind you that over the last decade two of the world's largest auto companies have built major manufacturing plants in this state and they are achieving successful results. Alabama's labor base has proved itself many times over not only in the automotive industry but in pulp and paper, the textile industry, and others.

If you are interested in lowering the unemployment rate in the US and in our state it would benefit all of us if this new plant were built in Alabama. Our states overall unemployment rate is 10.3 percent and the county in which I live, Monroe County, the rate is over 20 percent. The five surrounding counties of Conecuh, Clarke, Wilcox, Escambia, and Baldwin have rates of 17.0 percent, 16.7 percent, 23.6 percent, 11.8 percent and 12.9 percent respectively.

If your goal is employing minorities the black population of Wilcox County is 72.1 percent and Clarke County has a minority percentage at 43.8 percent. Conecuh, Butler, and Monroe counties all have a black population over 40 percent. The remaining county Escambia has a black population of 32.1 percent.

It seems to me that if you are interested in lowering the US unemployment rate and are sincerely interested in creating jobs for minorities this plant should be build in the United States, and I suggest in Alabama.

I can't understand how building this plant outside the country would benefit the US . The unions seem to be big supporters of you and the auto workers union is a big supporter plus a mayor stakeholder in "Government Motors". What was their response to the announcement?

Please help me understand why such a large job creating investment is not being made in the US.

Steve Hughes

Monroeville