I’ve been an Ohio State fan since our national title win against University of Southern California and OJ Simpson in 1968. But our recent wins and losses to Indiana are suspect. Amazingly, both teams have been pretty much even in talent and skill for two years. You can thank “the transfer portal” for that.

Coaching has been pretty even.

What really made the difference between a win and loss were the bad and/or good calls of the refs, depending on what side you were rooting for.

When the referees decide a game’s outcome, why do we even bother to play it? We need to revamp the referees’ role and keep the game in the hands of the players.

Ted Sinks, Delaware

Democrats will have their work cut out for them

Memo to the Democratic Party from a long-time registered Democrat:

Should the voters of this country allow the Democrats to have majorities in the House of Representatives and the Senate, work on the following initiatives:

• Investigate and hold accountable all of those who have involved themselves in self-dealing, grifting and corruption in any form. I’m talking to you, Donald Trump Jr., Eric Trump, Elon Musk, Jared Kushner, Steve Witkoff, Kimberly Guilfoyle, etc., etc.

• Pass ethics reform for the Supreme Court.

• Pass ethics reform for all of Congress including, but not limited to, prohibiting stock trades for members of Congress.

• Provide actual oversight complete with accountability for Cabinet secretaries, including holding those secretaries in contempt of Congress for failing to appear or answer questions asked of them by members of Congress.

• Pass legislation that removes income caps on contributions to Social Security.

• Pass legislation that puts in place independent oversight of AI development.

If a Democratic majority can’t accomplish these initiatives, please give me a good reason I would continue to vote Democratic in 2028.

Brenda K. Smith, Hilliard

Trump isn't the only Republican problem

It’s not just Donald Trump. Yes, his unneeded, endless war in Iran and his inflation-boosting tariffs, his destruction of the environment and ignorance about climate change surely will mark him as the worst president of all time.

His approval rating reflects that, just now dropping to a new low of 32% as Americans become increasingly disgusted with his corruption and signs of dementia. But it isn’t just Trump.

The silence of central Ohio congressional representatives is shocking.

Not just our senators, Jon Husted and Bernie Moreno, have chosen to look the other way, supporting his war and inflation with their silence.

Our local Republican congressional reps. Jim Jordan, Mike Carey and Troy Balderson have allowed this damage to America with their silence or even outright votes in support of Trump’s war. Bobbleheads for Trump, they have no courage and fail to represent us.

We need to change the monopoly on power and vote into office more Democrats, like Joyce Beatty, who will speak truth to power.