This is Viewpoints for Thursday, Feb. 18, 2016

Election overview

The only thing for sure is the voters in America and Bibb County are facing one of the most negative campaigns ever. Our local election has the same old candidates that had every opportunity to resolve our infrastructure problems that date back decades. Our racial strife is being used to orchestrate the inequities throughout Bibb County.

The fact is most of the unrest is due to uncontrollable actions of a small percentage of all races. In my opinion, the ticket to run on is not to support eight percent taxation, eliminate waste, terminate 20 percent of existing positions and resolve all existing road and waste problems now.

Nationally, a vote for Hillary Clinton is a vote for her husband, Bernie Sanders is just plain too old. Jeb Bush is too politically connected and the jury is out on the rest. Wildly popular Donald Trump is liked by a growing group that is totally against politics as usual. That my friend is a bad basis for his election.

-- Joe Hubbard

Macon

Follow the Constitution

As soon as the Senate Majority Leader heard about Justice Antonin Scalia's death, he put out a statement that "... this vacancy should not be filled until we have a new president."

Excuse me? I thought the GOP were strict constitutionalist. Article 2, section 2 is explicit on how a vacancy is filled and nothing is mentioned about waiting for a different president. Perhaps he should consider past practice. In 1988 President Reagan nominated Justice Anthony Kennedy and he was confirmed in February of an election year by a Democratic Senate 97-0.

Meanwhile, in honor of Justice Scalia's death, I have heard that Justice Clarence Thomas will continue to observe the moment of silence that he's been observing for the last 20 years.

-- Carl Pirkle

Byron

A vote for Kasich

I would like to recommend a presidential candidate, Gov. John Kasich of Ohio, who is moderate, fiscally responsible and compassionate. As a member of the U.S. House of Representatives before being elected governor, Kasich served as chairperson of the House Budget Committee and succeeded in balancing the federal budget. He has vowed that, as president, balancing the federal budget will be his priority. As governor in Ohio, he has reduced taxes by $5 billion and erased the state's deficit. A resident of the state describes him as a "doer" more than a talker.

While he was in the nation's Congress, Kasich was a member of the House Armed Services Committee, so he is knowledgeable about the workings of the Pentagon. Perhaps most importantly, in temperament, Kasich seems sensible and balanced.

He is also compassionate. I was very moved by Kasich's passion when he described the reduction in the recidivism rate in his state's prisons. Finally, Kasich is sincerely pro-life, vital to ensuing generations of children.

-- Gregory Voss

Belleville, Illinois

Question

In Sunday's Telegraph, in the Living section, there was an article about a couple who had been together for 83 years. In the second paragraph it stated that they "ran away together, eloping in nearby Harrison, New York."

The article continued on page six, and there is a picture of the couple married in 1932 dressed wearing formal wedding attire.

I must have missed something.

-- Jean E. Weaver

Macon

In 1932, even a couple that eloped were expected to dress accordingly for their wedding. A clue, John Betar, even in the midst of the Great Depression, was driving a new 1932 Ford Roadster when he fell in love with his future wife, Ann.

-- Editors

Tillman on the job

Commissioner Al Ti llman is to be commended for his dedicated support of the people in the district he so proudly represents.

I would like to thank him for assisting me with getting a vacant lot in our community cleaned off. He was able to get the job done within 24 hours, after I had tried unsuccessfully for several months. It is such a pleasure to live and work in a community where our elected officials make the safety and concerns of the people first priority. Commissioner Tillman's continued support is much needed and appreciated.

-- Alfred L. Smith

Macon

Decision made

The Republican presidential candidates want the American people to decide who'll be the next Supreme Court associate justice. The people decided (twice) when Barack Obama was elected president in 2008 and 2012. End of discussion.

-- William D. Carter

Bonaire

Unconstitutional idea

I guess Bob Norcott is basically right when he bemoans the bad people on the right. However, he must also think about this, the left, represented by the Democrats, have only been able to field two contestants for the White House.

Unlike Norcott I won't personally attack, by name, his demigods. The thing for him to think about is that one person is deemed to be a liar and a threat to security and has no record to stand on.

The other, a rich old man, complains about the rich white men running the other party. He has yet to tell how he is going to give everything away. Economics 101 must not have been a requirement for him in school and certainly not for his supporters. But, then, one must remember his initials are BS. I still think we should try it for four years with no one in the White House.

-- Jim Huber

Centerville

This story was originally published February 17, 2016 at 9:36 PM with the headline "This is Viewpoints for Thursday, Feb. 18, 2016 ."