It's not the government, stupid. Everyone is waiting for the government to get us out of the oil crisis and to bring prices down. We should never, ever, rely on this current government or any future government to have the necessary knowledge and common sense to develop a reliable, cheap, alternate fuel.

The private sector has always played a major role in creating easier, cheaper and more practical ideas. Thomas Edison did not work for the government, nor did Alexander Graham Bell or Bill Gates. The private sector is the only way we can get out of the mess the government has caused. The private sector will soon enough develop cars that are powered by anything other than oil.

Just like the invention of the light bulb, someone, somewhere (probably doing it now) will bring us a new means of inexpensive travel. It will just take time -- and certainly not time spent by politicians who don't purchase their own gas for their limousines and their private jets.

STEPHEN ARCH
Findlay

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If a 90-day holiday on the gasoline tax is such a good idea, why doesn't Sen. Hillary Clinton take a brief respite from campaigning and support the legislation that Sen. John McCain has introduced?

As members of the U.S. Senate, they have the power to act on their intentions now. Since neither candidate is running entirely on his or her own finances, each of them is receiving financial support from their parties, which presumes that Congress is eager to work with them.

Were either one president at this time, they would be able only to suggest tax changes to Congress, and not command them. As the saying goes, "Actions speak louder than words."

WILLIAM ANGEL
Baden

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Hillary Clinton's choice of horses in the Kentucky Derby added to her list of poor decisions and is eerily prophetic. Eight Belles finished the race, to be certain, and even picked up second place ... only to be euthanized immediately afterward. Is Hillary's candidacy, and perhaps even the Democratic Party's chances in this fall's election, headed for the same?

Is it more important to finish the race (did I mention Eight Belles took second place?) than to avoid having her opponent's victory tragically marred by her stubborn, self-centered inability to see the writing on the wall? (Perhaps she, too, is wearing blinders.)

Let's hope she will learn from the Derby and step aside before it is too late ... if it is not already.

SHERWOOD JOHNSON
McCandless

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I was amused by the May 7 column by Associate Editor Dan Simpson concerning the "pros" in the U.S. State Department ("The Pros Step Up"). Mr. Simpson states that we should "fear not" because the professionals in the State Department will keep the country on "an even keel." Mr. Simpson also states that "the professionals have our backs" during the upcoming presidential transition.

How very interesting. What Mr. Simpson conveniently leaves out is the fact that the State Department consistently challenges most presidential administrations. The State Department consistently attempts to implement its own policies instead of executing policy requested by the president. Also, if this is the organization watching our backs, what explanation can Mr. Simpson give that the 19 terrorist hijackers on Sept. 11, 2001, were granted visas into our country by none other than the State Department? Some of these entrance visa forms were so poorly completed that the State Department approval bordered on criminal negligence.

If these are the people watching our backs, we're in big trouble.

DAVE HARHAI
West Homestead

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They say that when life gives you lemons, you should make lemonade ... Well, let's make lemonade out of the controversial, half-built billboard on the new bus station at the corner of Grant and Liberty. Let's allow Lamar Advertising to finish building it, but make it work for Pittsburgh. Have it advertise only cultural events taking place Downtown and the immediate neighborhoods: theater, opera, art openings, festivals, etc. (no sports, no car events, no rib-cook-offs ... ).

Between the ads, the billboard can project local artwork (much as the High School for the Creative and Performing Arts sign shows student artwork), giving credit to the artists. The Cultural Trust and the Office for Public Art would have final approval on all that is displayed.

A win-win situation for all involved: the zoning board, Lamar, the city and the metropolitan area.

ALINA KEEBLER
Regent Square

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Regarding "Pa. House Panel Advances Bill to Boost Government Pensions" (April 30): Bills to reduce the size of our bloated Legislature have been discussed for years.

In June 2007, Sen. John Pippy's bill to reduce the size of the Legislature was sent to the Appropriations Committee, otherwise known as Limbo. On April 29, the State Government Committee voted unanimously to send to the floor a bill that would provide pay raises of about 2.7 percent to 25 percent to 250,000 state government and public school retirees. The cost: $10.4 billion over 20 years! Like a speeding bullet, that bill advanced out of a state House Committee, no waiting in Limbo for that one.

"Election-year pressure on the Legislature is mounting from retirees, fueled by reports that the two large public-sector retirement plans have reaped eye-popping investment returns in recent years," the story said. The retirees need financial relief? Well, boo-hoo, don't we all?

What about all the steel workers who lost their pensions and those of us who never get raises or cost-of-living adjustments? My husband's pension never changes. It is what it is and we're happy to at least have a pension.

What happens if the state retirees get a raise and the "eye-popping" investment returns aren't so eye-popping? Guess who the fall guys will be -- the Pennsylvania taxpayers, as usual.

Wanna bet this bill moves right along because our grabby legislators can see their own retirement dollars in the future?

I've told all my grandchildren, "Be a politician. You can vote yourself the best health care and give yourself a raise when the occasion arises. However, pretend you're looking out for the common folk, but ultimately you always take care of No. 1."

LOIS HELD
Whitehall

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"If America does not turn back to God, she will die." I heard these words on the radio recently as I awoke to my clock radio. They were chilling words, but unfortunately they are correct.

I am tired of Democrats vs. Republicans. We need to look at the person who will lead the United States over the next four years, not the party. If we elect a president who will back abortion, same-sex marriage and other issues that are defiant to what the Bible has outlined as the way we should live, we are doomed. I fear greatly for my children and grandchildren and what they are faced with as I see our country spiraling toward self-destruction.

"Oh my god!" is the disgusting phrase I hear dozens of times a day, even from children. I realize that it has more meaning than just an expression. We have made anything and everything our god except the one true God.

Wake up, America, before it is too late. If we do not turn from our evil ways, God will turn us from them in a horrifying way. Please, wake up.

REBECCA J. BOEHM
New Kensington

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Before the 2004 election, I predicted that George W. Bush would win the presidential election, thus sealing his chance to be one of the worst two-term presidents of all time. I have myself to blame. I voted for him. In John Kerry, the Democrats put up one of only a few people in the entire country whom I would not vote for, so I voted for Mr. Bush to avoid having Mr. Kerry as our president.

Mr. Bush has done very little right in his eight years in office, but his tax rebate of 2001 helped us avoid a long recession back then. Others would argue that his tax cuts to the rich did more, but the Average Joe does not want to hear that.

This year's rebate could help us again.

The idea is to spend that money and put it back into the economy. When you take that check to Wal-Mart or Target or Home Depot or one of the other big-box stores, before you make your purchase, turn the item over and read where it was made. Everyone seems to have a gripe with Mr. Bush with all the jobs that were shipped overseas during his administration, but they happily go on buying goods made in China and Taiwan and Singapore.

Do yourself and your country a favor and buy only USA-made goods with your rebate check. It might just save your neighbor's job and help the economy a little, too.

ED GRAHAM
North Strabane

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