John McCain is a good man and a war hero who has served this nation well in the military and as a U.S. senator. At an age when most men would be ready to retire to an easier life, he has taken on the challenge of running for one of the most difficult jobs in the world, the presidency of the United States.

As a retiree who is older than John McCain, and as an enlisted man veteran of the Korean War, I feel somewhat unworthy to offer advice to one who has attained such political power, but I will anyway.

Sen. McCain should have a happy retirement and forget the challenges of the political life. He deserves it. Let someone else take on the challenges of power.

As much as I admire him for his patriotism and service, I will not vote for him.

His voting record and campaign statements have indicated that he has supported the failed policies of the Bush/Cheney administration a majority of the time and will continue if elected to carry out those policies.

I believe the country needs a new direction to recover from the disastrous results of the Bush/Cheney administration. McCain’s opponent has given us hope for the future of American policy in the world. This country needs new leadership to undo the consequences of past policies, not more of the same.

Whatever happens in the election, I wish Sen. McCain and his family a good life.

Robert D. Thomson, Lincoln

Help the homeowners

The rationale for helping a few individuals buy a home to improve the rest of the economy for the city is curious, at the least. This proposed program appears singularly to help the local real estate market. Of all the businesses in Lincoln that may be in a slump, why subsidize real estate? That market has solutions to its own problems, and the $600,000 can be used in other ways to benefit far more people.

Not too long ago, council members were involved in a discussion about conflicts of interest. My first suggestion is that the council members take another look at that topic, because each member of the council appears to be directly or indirectly involved in the real estate business.

Secondly, the real estate market is no worse off than other businesses. Also, I have always heard that a house does not sell or is slow to sell because of one or all of three reasons: location, condition or price. If you can’t change your location, the next best thing is to improve where you are. Therefore, the best stimulus for all businesses, including real estate, is to fix up the house, improve the neighborhood, or lower the price. Thus, my suggestion of an urban improvement stimulus program.

First, however, we need to realize that the stimulus that would benefit every individual, business and our economy is to lower the real estate taxes. Those savings would readily flow into our economy. However, if not that, then the next best solution is the urban improvement program.

The stimulus program would ask people to submit proposals to improve their property by such things as insulating, installing new windows, replacing inefficient heating and cooling units, landscaping or making any general improvements that would increase their property value, improve the environment, save energy, and beautify the city.

This program would help many people, businesses beyond real estate, the city’s entire economy and tax base, and could develop pride in home ownership, neighborhood improvement and community development.

Raymond D. Crisp, Lincoln

Toon attacks freedom

After seeing the Aug. 20 editorial cartoon by Neal Obermeyer on the primary seat-belt law proposal, I think he should have been sent to the Summer Olympic Games on a one-way ticket. They understand his type of non-freedom thinking style over there. Both sides would have benefited from this action.

Clarence Olberding, Lincoln