Companies may fold as investors pull out

It’s easy to simplify the matter as teachers’ pensions vs. liquidation of Chrysler, but it’s not that simple.

A society needs structure. Structure is found in laws. Laws protect the good of all. Laws governing investments protect investors and ensure companies’ health. If laws are not upheld, distrust creeps into society spawning chaos. By law, bond holders get their investments first, preferred and common stock later. People invest according to and trusting law.

Since this law was not upheld by the highest court of the land, this has set a precedent. Now not only are all laws approved to be arbitrarily ignored, but in investments, investors now understand their investments aren’t safe. People will be reluctant to invest and will begin to withdraw investments.

This may seem good, since it’s stated investors are greedy. But our money should be wisely managed. That isn’t greedy, it’s good stewardship. Indiana taxpayers weren’t greedy to invest in pensions for teachers and policemen who have served for good all their lives. The taxpayers of Indiana, you and me, were denied the return on our investment, secured by law.

Realizing our hard-earned money can easily be lost translates into few people willing to risk investments. What will any company do for funds? How will any company be able to continue? Can new companies begin?

This isn’t about the liquidation of Chrysler or teachers’ pensions. It’s about the loss of many American companies nationwide, as people withdraw their funds. This has created a greater national crisis than Chrysler. As Lady Justice weighs the scales, this has dealt a critical blow to free enterprise, which up until now has been our foundation.

Why did the giving away of Chrysler to Fiat depend upon the sacrifice of Hoosiers’ tax dollars? Why and who made that the only solution? The law was not upheld, and a condition was arbitrated based on what? We are supposed to be a nation of laws. Laws give structure. Without that structure, we have anarchy.

Leelia Cornell

Greentown

Tobacco shop ban protects whom?

On Sunday, June 7, on the 11 p.m. news, I heard something that gave me pause and caused me to wonder if my hearing was about to fail me. We are about to enter the theater of the absurd.

Before I begin I must clarify, while I do smoke a pipe and the occasional cigar, I can understand the logic behind smoking bans in pubs and restaurants, one other category left me scratching my head.

According to the Channel 13 News report, the City of Franklin enacted just such a ban. Then it expanded it to include, wait for it, wait for it, tobacco shops.

Now I am totally in favor of protecting non-smoking customers and employees from the perceived risks of secondhand smoke. But tobacco shops?

Over time I have frequented numerous tobacco shops, yet I never encountered any tobacco shop that was managed and patronized by non-smokers. So concerning tobacco shops, if all employees and all customers are themselves smokers, just who is protected by tobacco shop smoking bans?

Kenneth Crockett

Kokomo

Maconaquah schools need planned updates

School quality is important to the Miami County community, and Maconaquah Schools have been a source of pride for us as long as I can remember. Occasional trips to other schools remind me that we have good reasons to be proud of our facilities.

Excellent care helped stave off the ravages of time, but now time is beginning to catch up on our infrastructure. You may not be able to tell by first glance, but our electrical, plumbing, air quality and security systems are in need of modernization and replacement. Energy savings to the tune of more than $8 million could easily be realized over the next 20 years with updated equipment.

Your vote for the renovation of the Maconaquah middle and high schools is a vote for our children and their future.

The time to act is now for more competitive bids and lower interest rates. Please don’t think that it can be done cheaper by waiting.

You are not voting for added classrooms and amenities, but for restoring and preserving our current investment for the distant future.

Please vote yes on June 20!

Greg Bevington

School board member