It's easy to say “Peace on earth, good will towards men.” A preemptive war against Iraq did not achieve such an objective.

When will all nations ever learn that war in the modern era causes more problems than it solves? Iraq is a perfect example of a war, supposedly undertaken with best laid plans, that went completely awry. Tens of thousand of unnecessary deaths and injuries, broken dreams, wasted money, all up in smoke. And for what? Certainly not for peace on earth, and most certainly not for good will towards men.

Additionally, government, on both the New York state and federal level, have shown an utter disregard for those of middle income on down to lower income. New York state's slashing of its Earned Income Credit by 90 percent, and its refusal to raise the state's minimum wage, along with slashing of many social programs, is a disgrace. The federal government, if GOP had its way, would have done away with Social Security programs, keep the present paltry minimum wage forever and allow tax breaks for the wealthy to go on forever.

With plenty of coal, Santa Claus is certainly going to be busy filling the stockings of all the deadbeat politicians who stood idly by allowing Pataki and Bush to have their thing. Their “Sleigh Ride” in office has resulted in a real “Slay Ride” for most everyone else economically.

It's past time to usher in a new era. We don't need anymore Grinch or Scrooge-type politicians recklessly having their way. We don't need any more of our present commander-in-chief playing Snoopy vs. The Red Baron war games at our expense and the world's.

Let there be peace of earth because brothers all are we, and we truly need to show each other, finally tidings of comfort and joy.

Murray Lynch

Auburn