Cartoon stereotyped rally participants

The editorial cartoon by Ed Gamble in Tuesday’s Dispatch, which depicted participants in the Tax Day Rally as nontaxpayers and arms of the Democratic Party, is ridiculous. Unlike the cartoonist, I was there and saw many of my neighbors from the 12th congressional district.

All are middle-income folks who pay their taxes and would happily disclose them. I saw people who have voted Democratic, Republican and independent. The call for President Donald Trump’s taxes is a nonpartisan effort.

Because we pay taxes and do not currently need “government assistance” does not make us more worthy of transparency in government. The POTUS works for “we the people,” and not the other way around. It is time he made good on his promises to disclose his taxes. Until then, we can only assume that every executive action enriches the Trump family at the expense of our country.

Laurel Feigley Columbus combined with human ingenuity have propelled us to great accomplishments. We have found cures for disease, developed lifesaving technology and improved the overall quality of life for nearly everyone on the planet. Crude oil and natural gas have been an indispensable part of these accomplishments. Nearly every facet of modern life now requires products developed from refining these petrochemicals. Artificial hearts, toothpaste, aspirin, shampoo, shoes, cleaning products, batteries, cosmetics and plastics are just a few examples of petroleum-based modern necessities.

In fact, there are more than 6,000 more examples of petrochemical products that make us safer, healthier and extend life. So on this Earth Day, let’s appreciate the thousands of modern conveniences made possible through harnessing our natural resources. Happy Earth Day.

Rhonda Reda Executive director Education program Ohio Oil and Gas Energy Granville