The Public Pulse, December 23

World needs inspiring leaders

The world lost a great leader with the death of the former president of the Czech Republic, Vaclav Havel. While Romania had decades of brutal communist rule end with a violent revolution, Havel and other leaders brought nonviolent change, resulting in the first democratic elections in 44 years.

Havel was a leader the people believed in and respected to bring much-needed change. At a time when so many political leaders seem to let us down with corruption and greed, it is important to remember that our past and present are full of people who seek to make the world a better place.

Havel's inspiring leadership during a chaotic and changing time in the world is something we need in our leaders today.

Danny McCaslin, Omaha

Eliminating government jobs

As I watched the GOP presidential debates, I constantly heard that we need to reduce the size and scope of our government.

Even though tax rates are the lowest since the Truman administration, corporations are reporting record-high profits and government has been shrunk by 500,000 public sector jobs, we still need to do more.

How about doing away with the House of Representatives? These legislators seem to block everything presented to them.

Why not let the Senate carry the burden of passing legislation? The 100 senators would then be responsible for all legislation and have no one to pass the buck to. Maybe they would have to work together.

Elimination of the House could bring a savings of hundreds of millions of dollars per year. The next time House members talk about doing away with government jobs, ask if they're willing to eliminate their own jobs.

Neil C. Goos, Glenwood, Iowa

Make Congress work for salary

Regarding Congress frequently being unable to agree on legislation: If the government would stop all paychecks to elected officials in the House and the Senate, we'd see how soon they would come to an agreement.

It doesn't matter which party you belong to, people are tired of the games being played in Washington, D.C.

Rich Kirby, La Vista

Occupy protesting is justified

There are some who compare the Occupy movement to the Tea Party movement. If the profile of Tea Party members is correct, it is members of the baby-boomer generation who have bankrupt the nation, made major transfers of wealth from the young to the old and shed the country of its manufacturing base for corporate profit.

Some are asking the inheritors of this mess to shut up and work within a political system that weighs against the general populace and is dysfunctional, at best.

The youth do not have the financial means or the corporate media to convey a message of ruin that should be obvious to any informed observer. I hope they will do better for their children.

Russell L. Graham, Bellevue

Entrepreneur shows will to win

We will not fix our economy with inept federal legislation or mismanaged banks. The fix will come from uniquely talented entrepreneurs like Larry Richling ("The magic of memories," Dec. 14 Money story).

The World-Herald has reported on the significant challenges Richling's ventures were facing from the recession. While most of us might have called it quits, his never-say-die comments could only come from a persevering spirit that can create and fix economies.

Based on the Dec. 14 article, Mr. Richling is more than validating those comments and that mind-set.

Steve Styers, Omaha

Learn how to operate cellphone

Many people are ignorant about mobilephone technology. Some insist on holding on to their mobile phone while driving. Others want to ban mobile-phone use when driving.

There is a much better answer. Most mobile phones have settings for a Bluetooth device. Such a device allows you to use your phone hands-free and keep your hands on the wheel. Some car companies are now putting Bluetooth-capable devices in cars.

Others have complained about legislation that would allow "robo calls" to go to mobile phones. While such legislation has to be carefully written to avoid abuse, the overwhelming negative reaction exposed the ignorance of many people. Most mobile phones have ways to screen calls, block calls or send such calls directly to voice mail.

If you have a mobile phone, follow the instructions in the user's guide.

Andrew L. Sullivan, Omaha

The tradition of postal carriers

My mother's father, Herman Buls, was a rural mail carrier.

The most exciting thing in my life was to visit my grandparents during the summer. I'd go with Grandpa to pick up the mail brought by the motor car. Grandpa put the mailbags into the cart and took the mail to the Post Office, where it was sorted. He loaded his mail into a brown leather bag. He drove a Model-A Ford coupe.

Much of his route was Nebraska clay — rutted and a rough ride even on good days. Rain, blizzards, snow, ice and the spring thaw made his route very dangerous.

Some days he rode his horse. Sometimes, he walked part of his route. For Grandpa, there were no "bad weather days." He believed the mail had to be delivered.

The U.S. Postal Service brought the world to these people, many of whom had no electricity or phone until the 1950s. Cutting mail delivery and jobs would have been the last thing these people would have supported.

David L. Haar, Omaha

Providing true choice in schools

Do some imagine that focus schools are the same as charter schools? Both are public schools, but focus schools were created to keep district leaders in charge of all options, while adding the appearance of parental choice.

Sadly, many Nebraskans respond to school choice with a questioning look. School choice is not about districts spending tax dollars on focus schools. School choice gives parents the freedom to escape low test scores or an intolerable environment for their child, without resorting to private or home schools — not an option for poor or single parents.

One size doesn't fit all. An environment of competition allows proof of concept in the microcosm of charters, and if they fail to produce results, they close.

When we recognize flaws in a system, more layers are often added, instead of finding the root of the problem. I have seen it in computer systems, and it appears to be true of our larger school districts as well.

The Nebraska Legislature could pass a true charter school law, where stand-alone schools would receive tax funds (often a much lower portion-per-pupil cost than districts) and use charter school contracts to expand the laboratory of ideas and choices.

Nydra Karlen, Bellevue

Focusing on our similarities

In response to Stephanie Reis' Dec. 18 letter, I would like to encourage her and anyone else with questions and a limited viewpoint regarding other faiths to take part in an absolutely fabulous and educational Omaha program called Project Interfaith.

Project Interfaith holds workshops and visits with several of the various religions around Omaha. It is an educational experience designed to end the ignorance, fear and intolerance that people have toward other religious ideas.

I've taken part in it and found that most Muslims are not the radical terrorists they often are portrayed to be. Most are just as genuine and kind as Hindus, Jews and Christians.

Project Interfaith does an excellent job in teaching that although there are differences in the religions, there are also many similarities, and through these similarities, we can bond together and share.

Scott McKenzie, Omaha

Celebrating the Christmas birth

What is Christmas if it isn't a Christian holiday? It is a celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. That is a Christian belief, and I see no reason why it cannot be celebrated.

Why should it be offensive to anyone? Other beliefs don't have to celebrate Christ's birth. They can keep it secular and commercialized, if they wish.

But don't deny Christians the right to celebrate this day. God help us if we continue to destroy and turn away from our Christian faith. Forgive us for overlooking the importance of Christmas.

David Schilke, Omaha

'Tebowing' misuses our faith

I have a problem with Tim Tebow's public prayer. First, it cheapens the idea of prayer. What kind of God would answer a prayer about a football game while ignoring prayers for far more serious needs?

Second, this public prayer diminishes the hard work of the other players who help Tebow succeed. I sweated and bled as a high school lineman. Could I have just sat back and let God do the work for me?

Finally, Jesus himself preached against public prayer. I think Christ would be aghast at the public spectacle of something He held to be very personal.

Although conservative Christians might see "Tebowing" as a good recruitment tool for their religion, it seems to be a hypocritical way to use faith to get attention.

David W. McCord, Omaha

Capitalizing on a religious faith

Christianity seems to be under fire from so many groups, regardless of the fact that freedom of religion is what started our country.

Tim Tebow, the professional football quarterback, is not ashamed that he is a Christian, opening himself up to ridicule and to being the brunt of many tasteless jokes.

Now, it seems a high-alcohol-content beer is being marketed under the name "Tebrew." The manufacturer reportedly excused this by stating it's about the fans, not the player.

I'm appalled at what some will do to make a buck at someone else's expense. We've been on a slippery slope morally for a long time. All we're doing is picking up speed.

Lisa Todd, Papillion

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