To the editor:

When this country was established, one of the underlying principles is that not any one person nor group would have absolute power. The power would be split up and there would be checks and balances.

Instead of trying to control the recession virus, House Republicans are driving the monkey to the airport.

Sen. Rand Paul's position, like that of his father, is that excessive spending on the military has to end, that we cannot afford to be the world's policeman, and that overseas bases left over from WW II need to be closed.

I find it regretful you had to resort to try and demonize the minimum wage with that greatest of all evils “Obamacare,” but I understand your propensity to do so. As stated before, this debate will no doubt continue for a long time, but will best be served by honest, unbiased, and responsible arguments.

During his time in office he tripled the deficit to $3 trillion. He grew the size of the federal government by adding the Department of Veteran Affairs at a cost of $90 billion and 300,000 employees. Reagan wanted a world free of all nuclear weapons and he gave 3 million undocumented immigrants amnesty. I doubt Tea Partiers would be very happy.

In replying to your comments (read rants), Mr. Deters, I am reminded of when on a vacation with our dog along.

Highland County Help Me Grow had another successful "Adopt-A-Family" project for the seventh consecutive year. Though it was another difficult year for many, due to job loss and the economy, we were fearful that we could not provide Christmas for as many as we have in the past. However, thanks to the generosity of the below named sponsors, we were able to help many children this past year.

State estate taxes, such as Ohio’s, slow down the economy and hamper economic growth. The 26 states without an estate tax produced twice as many new jobs and their economies grew nearly 50 percent more from 2004-2007 than the 24 states with such taxes.

I understand the fact that you run a biased, right-leaning newspaper. Perhaps you actually believe that ideology, and/or are just trying to appeal to Republicans who are the majority of Highland County.

For all those who felt Ted Strickland was out in left field and wasn't working for the people, do you need a bigger stick to hit you in the head, not to mention your wallets? John Kasich has an agenda, folks, but it is not to help Ohio; obviously, it's to help himself and his cronies.

People who earned $48,362 or less from wages, self-employment or farming in 2010 should check to see if they qualify. Workers who may qualify for EITC include those who live in rural areas, those who are self-employed, those who receive certain disability pensions or have children with disabilities, those who are not proficient in English, those who are grandparents raising their grandchildren, and those who are recently divorced, unemployed, or have experienced other status changes.

I just finished reading “Stop voting against your own interest” by James Matticks. After reading half of the article, I was left scratching my head, wondering what in the world does this have to do with his mission statement?

Ohio workers and retirees are disappointed that Social Security has been proffered as point of negotiation to raise the debt ceiling and that some see it as a wedge issue to pander to their political base. As retirees concerned for the future of our children and grandchildren, we have lived through tiered wage structures and know the negative effects proposed tiered Social Security would have on younger workers as they reach retirement without a sustainable income floor.

The Greenfield Area Christian Center wants to say a big thank you for the donations of both cash and food for the Christmas baskets/vouchers.