Milwaukee Post
Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/885501
October 6, 2017 • Milwaukee County Post • 7 OPINION Last week's question What do you think of Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele's request for a $60 wheel tax in the 2018 budget after the County Board slashed the same request to $30 last year and 72 percent of county voters rejected a $60 wheel tax in an advisory referendum on the spring ballot? How should the county pay for roads and transit? What do you think of the response and protest by the NFL commissioner, teams and players to President Donald Trump's remark that owners should be able to fire players for disrespecting the flag? (Choose one.) I think Chris Abele's wheel tax is ridiculous. The wheel tax is high enough. Aren't we taxed enough here in Wisconsin? Chris Abele doesn't think so. Nobody can afford to live here in Milwaukee County. — Tommy Sukkert South Milwaukee *** Chris Abele will not let this $60 tax drop. He's tone deaf by not lis- tening to the County Board and certainly not to the taxpayers who spoke loud and clear via a referen- dum. It's bad enough we were already assessed $30 for county vehicle registration. Let it go, Chris! Furthermore, any kind of wheel tax should be spread out among all citizens and merchants, anyone who rides the bus, bikes, taxis, tourists, etc. Why isn't Able managing the budget better with his revenue sources? Remember this when you go to vote next time. — Louise Bozek West Allis Regarding the Abele $60 wheel tax, absolutely not. He's a born phi- lanthropist and has the money. Let him pay for it. We're getting tighter and tighter with our funds. And if not, let Abele take the stu- pid trolley money that Mayor Tom Barrett wants to use downtown instead of us paying for it all the time. — Linda Harvey Greenfield *** I think it is appalling that these overpaid, overrated NFL players are sitting, kneeling or locking arms in protest against the flag and the United States when our anthem is sung. I never imagined that this would be allowed by the NFL. It's too bad the Packers can't find players who have a grateful attitude and love their country. It is a free country, so I guess I will exercise my freedom to not watch the game, not support the sponsors and not promote the teams with apparel. God bless America. — Janet LaMere South Milwaukee *** I agree with professional players demonstrating, however, I think they are going about it in the wrong way. President Donald Trump was cor- rect in his criticism of these players. These prima donna millionaires should be sent to Iraq or Afghanistan to see what the nation- al anthem means to the military personnel and all veterans. Some gave the ultimate sacrifice so these prima donnas can play their sport and show off their talent. Some of these prima donnas may be too young to remember Rocky Bleier, who played for the Pittsburgh Steelers and was wound- ed in Vietnam. He was awarded the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart. Pat Tillman sacrificed a professional football career to defend this coun- try, flag and national anthem. He paid the ultimate price — death — in 2004 in Afghanistan. We, the public, should boycott all professional sports and advertisers that condone these types of demonstrations. — Thomas George Greenfield *** Our football players should all be ordered to visit our veterans homes and see our veterans with missing limbs and lifelong wounds. These are the men who fought for our freedom, allowing them to play football and earn tons of money. These are the men who loved our country and people and who honored our American flag and anthem.These men are our heroes. We are the land of the free because of our brave; don't ever forget it. Whatever you gripe, do not dis- respect our beautiful country and those who fought and died for her. Shame on you! Whatever happened to good sportsmanship and being fair, even when we don't get our way? If you don't respect our country, leave. — Barbara Bloedel Oak Creek *** This land is free because of the brave.The NFL and its players along with others disrespecting our country's national anthem and flag is positively shameful, unpatriotic, disgraceful and disgusting. The worst teams were the Ravens and the Jaguars, as they played in London. They had the gall and disrespect for America to kneel during our anthem, but then stood and turned during the host's anthem to honor "God Save the Queen." Ex-Raven Ray Lewis spoke with double-talk and said the play- ers were praying. Ha ha, sure they were. He also said, "They're only boys, they're young." The NFL actually caused this as it should have done something when Colin Kaepernick kneeled as the NFL rules state the players should stand and hold their helmet in their left hand and face the flag during the national anthem. I guess NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell only enforces what he likes. He picks and chooses. Kaepernick should have gone to the locker room when he started this. What's also dishonest and pre- dictable is they blamed President Donald Trump. Believe me, most people were already angry before he said anything. The players have First Amendment rights, however, there's a time and a place. If people think we're so bad, then move. There's always Iran, North Korea, China, Venezuela, Cuba, take your pick and enjoy the freedom they'll have there. Also a tragedy is taking place with our little ones. Some coaches had players as young as 6 sitting on their helmets. This is teaching disrespect for our flag and our country. I watch all the football and base- ball games on TV, and when the national anthem comes on, I stand with my hand over my heart and sing the anthem. — Marilyn Fedran Milwaukee *** The NFL is letting the inmates run the prison. Instead of football being a fun diversion it has become a divisive irritation. They say it's about social justice, it's about crime. Stop with the crime already, and then you would have far less to protest. — Mike Broder West Allis *** Regarding the NFL players and their protest, I believe it is totally their right, as both a veteran and a civilian. I don't think it was disre- spectful at all. Burning the flag is dis- respectful, as one example. I think President Trump could have reacted far more diplomatical- ly and intelligently than he did instead of acting like a buffoon. He could have said, "Let's make this a forum for debate," but no. He thinks the NFL players who protested should be fired. I think he thinks he still is in his reality show, his alleged reality show. — Mike Bourdo Milwaukee Question of the week What do you think of the 64-year-old man who opened fired on a country music crowd of 30,000 in Las Vegas in the worst mass shootings in the nation's modern history? Or, the Milwaukee Brewers were a surprise contender for postseason play. Should the team stick with a long- term rebuilding approach or pay up for veterans in 2018? (Choose one.) Editor's note: When responding to the Question of the Week, please include your full name with spelling, phone number and city where you live. Phone numbers will not be published. Anonymous responses are no longer accepted by the publication. Call 744-6370, Ext. 15 and leave a brief answer. Readers may also send an email with a brief answer to: dmuck@conleynet.com. Question of the week Send your letters to: The Milwaukee Post, c/o Dan Muckelbauer, 3397 S. Howell Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53207, or by email to: dmuck@conleynet.com. 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