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Letters: Letters: Some Republicans don't need facts

I WISH JACK WELCH, the former CEO of General Electric, had consulted with business leaders before claiming the White House cooked the books on the September unemployment rate ("Not all employment created equal," editorial, Oct. 9).

I WISH JACK WELCH, the former CEO of General Electric, had consulted with business leaders before claiming the White House cooked the books on the September unemployment rate ("Not all employment created equal," editorial, Oct. 9).

By his own admission, Welch has publicly admitted he did not speak with anyone between the time the Labor Department released its report at 8:30 a.m. on Friday, and five minutes later when he lit up the Twitter world with his unfounded accusation. I don't remember Welch, a loyal Republican supporter, ever questioning the monthly rate during the last four years. Maybe that's because it was above 8 percent until now.

If Welch had raised issues with the unemployment figure sometime between 2009 and today, then he might have a leg to stand on; but he didn't and he doesn't. Welch has been silent every month the rates have been released since Barack Obama took office. I realize timing is everything in life, but Jack Welch's timing is blatantly political. As far as I am concerned, it's time to dim the lights on his point of view.

Denny Freidenrich

Laguna Beach, Calif.

It's a cynical game the Republicans play. When 70 million people tuned in to watch the first debate last week, truth took a 90-minute holiday so Mr. Romney could make a good first impression on a public largely disconnected from politics.

Mr. Romney told the millions he has an equivalent plan to cover the health of those with pre-existing positions. Directly following the debate his campaign walked that back and said Mr. Romney didn't really mean it.

Mr. Romney also said half the "green" companies backed by the U.S. taxpayers had gone under. Directly following the debate his handlers also walked that back and said Mr. Romney really didn't mean that, either.

It is a cynical game. The 70 million saw the lies and tuned out. How many of that 70 million got the apology and the truth after the debate or even the next day?

This shell game played on hardworking Americans is abhorrent. Mr. Romney is a contemptuous man for playing it and should have earned your scorn and disdain for playing that game. His prepared mendacity, his untrustworthiness should disqualify him as you consider your vote.

Roy Lehman

Woolwich Township, N.J.

It doesn't mean that

In your editorial, you used the word "schizophrenia" to describe some conservatives' reaction to the latest jobs report. This was an unfortunately common misuse of the word. The word "schizophrenia" is frequently used as a jokey shorthand for any behavior that involves being pulled in two different directions. But schizophrenia is a devastating mental illness that affects as many as 2.4 million Americans (source: National Institute of Mental Health), bringing unimaginable heartbreak to families who know all too well what a medical diagnosis of schizophrenia really entails. Using the words "schizophrenia" or "schizophrenic" as shorthand for anything other than the illness itself can only further stigmatize and minimize the pain of those who suffer from it.

Hans Kellner

Philadelphia

Game of percentages

Re: "Romney: GOP's worst possible candidate" (Daily News op-ed, Sept. 28).

I agree with Mr. Romney regarding the 47 percent. It is the truth. I am a senior citizen and I pay taxes on Social Security, retirement income and pension. I don't know where you get your information but you should check it out.

Raymond T. Frattone

Richboro

Mitt Romney dismisses 47 percent of the American people because he claims they pay no taxes and live on government entitlements.

At the Nov. 6 election, patriotic Americans - Republicans and Democrats alike - should show him, the nation and the world that they reject his divisive contempt for almost half his country.

John Tomasin

West New York, N.J.

Seems 'stoopid' to her

On several recent occasions, I have read Crime Scene reports where "stoop" is used in place of "step." "Stoop" is colloquial and not generally used in Philadelphia. While the writer may hail from another region, when writing about Philadelphia I think language familiar to Philadelphians should be used.

Sharon Sims

Philadelphia