We asked you what you wanted to tell President Barack Obama, and boy, did we learn you have a lot to say.

We got letters, letters and more letters. Some decry the focus on health care when the economy is in the tank, others kindly give him encouragement, others take him to task for failing to address specific problems in Lorain County, such as the near demise of Lorain County Transit.

In order to print as many as we could, we spread their publication over two days — with the final letters to be printed on Friday, when Obama arrives for his town hall session at Lorain County Community College.

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What I desperately need from your White House is a little humor. How about a joke now and then? Something to relieve all the gloom and doom.

Lincoln’s favorite humorist, incidentally, was an Ohio editor, who wrote under the pseudonym Petroleum V — for “Vesuvius” — Nasby. Abe even went so far as to suggest he’d gladly trade places with him, if he only had Nasby’s talent.

Suggest you check him out.

Mike Haverstock of Oberlin

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Please stay out of Medicare funding and my pocketbook. Quit trying to buy votes for your disastrous health care plan. Concentrate instead on the economy/jobs, our national security and upholding the Constitution of the United States.

Ted Bansek of Grafton

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My name is Jared Gochnour. I am a 37-year-old gentleman who has been married for 13 years. I presently reside in Lorain. I work for U.S. Steel in Lorain and I am presently laid off. I was laid off the first time for almost six months and then went back to work and was laid off again. We, the workers of U.S. Steel, would like to know how long we are going to continue to let the Chinese dump steel in this country? We keep hearing that the job market is getting better for us. We don’t see it one bit. I have been an employee for them for 4½ years. We need to keep jobs in this country and keep our people working. We need to make it harder for them, being the Chinese, to dump steel in this country.

This leads me to my next concern. I am a hard-working middle-class man. I am presently in jeopardy of losing my house. I contacted my mortgage company before I fell behind. They stated that they couldn’t do anything for me because I have never been delinquent in my mortgage. These mortgage companies will do nothing to help any of us people. Mr. President, what are you gonna do to help us people that are hard-working, middle-class people when these banks are telling us to file for bankruptcy or foreclose on our homes?

I just don’t see this as a solution. We have no problem bailing other countries out of problems and even our banking industries. Our country can’t even take care of our own people. Please try to shed some light on these concerns I have.

Jared Gochnour of Lorain

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1. What are you doing about all the illegals coming into this country? And what do you think of the sheriff in Arizona? Do you support what he is doing?

2. Do you think that the country is moving toward a socialist country with the rights of Americans slowly being taken away? If so, what are you doing to reverse the situation?

Anthrina Leonardi of Wellington

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“We The People …” believe in personal responsibility, hard work, and the freedom to succeed or fail. We don’t need a government nanny.

“We The People …” do not have unlimited funds to feed unlimited government spending.

“We The People …” understand taxes levied on business are passed on to the consumer and create a competitive disadvantage in the global economy.

“We The People …” don’t like government deciding winners and losers in the marketplace.

“We The People …” understand corruption and bad legislation when we see it. Unions and special interests get a say, yet you exclude 40 percent of duly elected officials.

“We The People …” live in the United States not some third world country like Venezuela. Representation is expected and demanded. Stop excluding elected officials.

“We The People …” are not ignorant. Good legislation withstands scrutiny from all sides. Forgive us if we want to see it ourselves. You and others have shown your “word” means nothing.

“We The People …” have the ultimate authority over ALL elected officials. You answer to us, “the citizens of the United States.’’

The absence of debate leads to sub-par solutions and “We The People …” will not tolerate that.

Keith Jenkins of North Ridgeville

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I would like President Obama to make sure that every dollar of the money being spent by the government is used for something absolutely essential, just as every dollar in my household budget has to be put to the very best possible use.

In the past year, I have seen the U.S. go deep into debt without any real evidence that the money is truly being well used.

In reading about all of the health care proposals, I am getting a feeling that health care for what is left of the middle class will be much more expensive. I know the legislation is still in negotiation and will not be a perfect solution. I hope that definite information will be made available as soon as possible, presented in an easily understood format.

I am tired of hype and deal making.

Carol Vondruska of Elyria

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Our area has been enduring crippling effects due to the loss of countless jobs from the closing and relocation of many factories that used to provide stability, productivity and taxable income. The outlook for Lorain County is getting increasingly hopeless at a time when the news reports that the federal government tells us the economy is on an upswing. We are not seeing this in Lorain County, and I feel we are being lied to.

With the threat of Invacare pulling out for China, other businesses still downsizing and closing, cities and the county are laying off safety workers at a time when we should be increasing safety workers to combat the imminent increase in crime (because data shows an historic correlation between increased crime, increased gang involvement and activities and increased poverty). The realistic outlook for this county is gloomy and it is hopeless without the preservation of current employable companies and the return of manufacturing companies that went overseas.

1. How can I, as a parent and a high school teacher, honestly impress a message of hope for productive futures onto my children and my students, unless their goals are to go to college and leave this hard-hit area? College isn’t for everyone, so those who, 20-plus years ago, would have become productive contributors to society by getting a factory job with good benefits at U.S. Steel, Ford, GM, York, etc. can now aspire to a management job at McDonalds, Burger King or Pizza Hut. (I am not belittling any employment opportunities, merely stating examples of the extent of this area’s hope.)

Realistically, a large number will feign a disabling condition with the mindset that “America has done this to me, so America can pay me,” or will make money on the streets at the cost of victimizing others and themselves. I invite you to spend some quality time with real urban youth and their hopelessness and rationale will become unmistakable.

2. What are the reasons we don’t: a) tariff imports into this country, b) provide incentives or rewards to companies who return to or remain in this country, c) work on other realistic ideas that would lead toward the restoration and return of factories to areas such as Lorain County?

We cannot have hope without opportunities for sustainable employment.

Regina Costantino of Elyria

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I’m sure you’re aware of the mess the Lorain County Transit is in. I’d like to ask the president how a county in this day and age cannot afford public transportation. There is not that much difference in population from Lorain County and other communities that have adequate public transportation.

I am a disabled vet who has been fighting for re-training from VA for five years because of an injury received 30 years ago. Now that I’ve finally gotten schooling, I have to pay $250 a month for a driver to take me to and from school. It used to cost me $40 a month for a bus pass. Please, please, please find a way to help Lorain County. I voted for you.

Thank you.

Michael Perisic of North Ridgeville

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Why do professional athletes and also talk-show personalities make millions while other people are starving? Why are mental health services and adoption subsidies getting cut? Why do prices like food and other items like gasoline keep going up? When are things really going to get better? No more promises. Also, why cut (Lorain County) Transit — a lot of people need the buses.

Lola Hrinda of Oberlin

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Why do you think that the bank taxes will be a good idea if they will most likely trickle down to the American people? And why do you think that the health care issue should be a federal issue if states like Massachusetts (led by Mitt Romney) have done health care reform on a state-wide level?

Giovanna Scaletta of Grafton

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Hi, I would like to know if they are going to pass the Notch Fairness Act. I am a WWII vet myself and I have been cheated out of Social Security every year since retirement.

Frank S. Papay of Elyria

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Why are the senior citizens of this country struggling to buy groceries and pay their rent/mortgages when the illegal immigrants are living without stress, having their rent paid, the best groceries, the best medical care when they didn’t contribute a dime toward the benefits they receive and can’t even speak English? I am tired of seeing them buying groceries at one of our local supercenters that I can’t afford to buy. I am a 69-year-old person working two jobs trying to make ends meet and have been working since I was 15 years old.

Marjorie Renney of Elyria

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No. 1: Quit robbing Medicare and the Medicare HMOs to pay for national health care. Medicare is for the elderly and disabled. The bill has not even passed and already my HMO has been forced to raise co-pays and remove medicines from its drug lists. I know because I lost one of my medicines. I already sent a letter about that experience.

No. 2: I have great sympathy for the people of Haiti. But what is being done for our homeless people? People in New Orleans still don’t have homes. Have the people in our country been forgotten? We were so broke and there was not enough food and supplies for our citizens. Now all of a sudden there is all this money and supplies for Haiti. Let’s not forget our own people in our rush to help.

Marie H. Canterbury of Lorain

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I would like to welcome you to Lorain County. My name is Mike Cloughessy. I live in Lorain and work in the struggling Republic Engineered Products steel mill. I am worried that they may shut down REP by the end of the year. I would like to ask for a job position in the White House area as a janitor. I have been working two weeks on and then two weeks off for the last year. I know that others have not worked at all in this year, but I am concerned about me. As well, I hope you help my fellow workers. I would like a response to this letter from you or someone near you.

Mike Cloughessy of Lorain

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Where do you stand on the campaign pledge to seniors making less than $50,000 a year and couples making less than $75,000 a year that they would not have to pay any income tax? I am sure you got a lot of senior votes on this pledge. We need to know so we can decide our vote in 2012.

Ross P. Manning of North Ridgeville

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I am becoming alarmed at the ever-increasing rate of government spending as we try to climb out of the economic mess we are in. Unfortunately a bigger government doesn’t produce anything. The increased tax burden required to sustain it takes away from the private sector’s ability to grow the job market.

Government cannot create jobs, but it can foster the environment for growth by providing and maintaining the vital infrastructure that is the backbone of our country. We’ve lost sight of what has made the U.S. the greatest nation on Earth, our forefathers must be rolling over in their graves. Our situation is not the fault of any one political party, if we need to blame someone, maybe we should just look in the mirror, because we have allowed things to get this bad.

The reward for hard work and ingenuity shouldn’t just be an increased tax burden.

Every generation that came before us made our country better, what legacy will we leave our sons and daughters — IOUs and broken promises? The only thing Americans should be “entitled” to is opportunity — the opportunity to improve the lives of ourselves, our families and our community.

Rick Hutman of Elyria Township

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The Lorain County Community College Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) Team would like you to know about our environmental sustainability project we’ve named “Pump it Up.” This idea was adopted from the August 2008 campaign issue between yourself and Sen. John McCain in regards to under-inflated tires, energy consumption and CO2 emissions. We found many tires that were under inflated, prompting us to ask vehicle owners to “Pump it Up.” To date this project has resulted in a savings of almost 7 tons of CO2 emissions.

Thank you Mr. President, for this wonderful idea of how we may sustain our environment and encourage others to do the same.

Respectfully, The LCCC SIFE Team

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While on the campaign trail last year, you were recorded at least eight times proclaiming that the health care debate would be shown on C-SPAN. This would have to be one of the easiest promises to follow through on as president. How can you expect no damage to your credibility after failing to do so? “Just words,” Mr. President?

If this health care bill is so great for America, why is it negotiated in secret without Republicans at the table? Why do senators and unions have to be paid off to support it? The answer is they know it is less about health care and more about power over the lives of Americans.

Charles Rink of LaGrange

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I am 110 percent behind you. Thanks and have a great day,

Jim Jalowiec of Carlisle Township

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I am so thankful that you are president. When I see you speaking on television I see fatigue and concern in your face, and I am grateful for all your efforts. Knowing that you are receiving a lot of criticism and complaints, I want to give you encouragement and good wishes for rewarding success. I know that you are applying your all to better the lives of all Americans and to bring peace and justice to all the peoples of this fragile Earth. I wish you all the best.

Sincerely, Gwynneth Beil of Elyria

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I’d ask him to do something about the gas prices. I don’t make a lot being a paper carrier, but to put one-third of my pay in my tank is very sad, and I’d ask him if he knew of anyone who could help with taxables. I can get help with food, but I need help with taxables.

Marie Adams of Elyria

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I work for a local home health care equipment manufacturer and my wife works in the health care industry.

We both think that the plan for health care is not making improvements and eliminating all of the abuse and waste from the health care industry, but actually adding cost and more government involvement instead of allowing free enterprise to help change the face of health care. Free enterprise is what made the United States the best in the world in the health care industry.

The position of government should be to guard against health care abuse and create jobs which, in return, generate revenues to help lower the economical disparities. Ohio has been one of the hardest-hit states during this ongoing recession that continues to slide not only during the previous administration but continues to under your watch.

Mr. President, this health care bill is not what the country needs to break out of the current situation, this state and this great country needs a boost by having you and our representatives do what the majority wants! The majority of people in this country want to work in a free society which promotes capitalism and have those whom dare to take the chance of making the world better place drive the economical needs we are all concerned about.

Mr. President, I heard just the other day that China is now the No. 1 manufacturer of automobiles in the world.

It’s a sad day, Rob Webber of Elyria

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Considering our country’s situation regarding terrorism, unemployment, debt and world leadership, wouldn’t our country be better off by reducing our excessive worldwide military expenditures and spend some of it on humanitarian aid? This would prove to the world that the United States is not striving to dominate the world. Wouldn’t this make us safer, less in debt and be better positioned to solve more of our own domestic problems?

Peter Penn of Sheffield Lake

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I have a small trucking company and we are trying to keep the doors open and with your help, we can pay our bank loans and equipment loans. We have started to haul for GM, Ford and Chrysler as that was what we were hauling before they closed. You helped the big companies, so it is time to help the little companies.

Fran Murray of Columbia Station

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I would say the loss of jobs in Lorain County is at an all-time high. His health care reform is also going to cause the loss of even more jobs for the workers of Invacare and other workers throughout the United States. The tax that he is imposing on health care companies in the U.S.A. is only going to cause those companies to leave the U.S. Foreign companies, of course, are not charged this tax.

He also needs to make it tougher on companies that leave the United States.

Anyway, it just seems to me whenever I go into a store, it is hard to find anything made in the good ol’ U.S.A. Everything is made in China or some other foreign country. What ever happen to American-made?

Kathleen Nemitz of Carlisle Township

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You are the boss of the Federal Aviation Administration!

Why do you refrain from trying to solve differences of opinion regarding Lorain County Regional Airport and its management, customers and potential customers? It appears, to me, that a mere coffee chat with the FAA administrator, should resolve the problems!

Sincerely, Douglas M. Nichols of LaGrange

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