Newspaper is appreciated

I wanted to express my appreciation to the Times Free Press for the outstanding job the newspaper does. You do an excellent job of providing news and information for the Northwest Georgia area at the same time you are delivering news and information regarding Chattanooga as well as national and international events.

Your paper causes us to feel like important citizens. (I feel like I am somebody! [now, who said that?]). And more importantly, your carrier goes to great length to ensure that the paper we receive is in the best possible condition.

Your service is greatly appreciated.

FRED R. PENICK

Calhoun, Ga.

Park trees need stimulus money

It is good that $40 million in stimulus money will be spent on the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. What a shame it is being used for paving, instead of saving the park's magnificent hemlocks. Without treatment, all will be dead in a matter of years.

CLYDE HOLLER

Morganton, Ga.

Library system funding essential

All of the recent talk of building a new main library and a new Eastgate branch makes me wonder about our esteemed county and city leaders. The two municipal governments can't find the money to staff the current facilities and keep them open six days a week. So what makes them think they will be able to maintain and support a fine new main library and staff a larger branch in Eastgate? If they can't find the money to staff and keep the current facilities open six days a week with adequate staffing and adding to the collection, isn't it ludicrous to talk of building a new library and branches?

Let's not even mention what this lack of support for our library system says to those considering relocating to our fine city and considering our area for new manufacturing operations. I am sure that this lack of support of the Chattanooga Area Regional Library is a black mark for our area. May I suggest Mayor Ron Littlefield and Mayor Claude Ramsey fully fund our current library system before considering anything new?

LAMAR OWENS

Stealing never is acceptable

It is not true that a lock keeps an honest person honest? A lock is not needed when honest people are nearby. It is sad a lot of people refuse to read and obey Exodus 20:15 or Ephesians 4:28. Even when they do read it some may assume it does not apply to them.

Often some people see something no one is using at the moment, and they assume it is theirs to take right then, no questions asked. What is also sad, some parents encourage their children to steal.

Even though some poor people have low wages and are treated badly, not all poor people steal. If they did, they would have some things that were a lot better than what they do have. Sometimes even some rich and well-paid people steal. Ever hear of employee theft? If you steal, you're just as bad or worse than the people who have stolen from you.

JENNIFER BRADFORD

Health care plan is Pie-in-the-Sky

In a mythical place called Pieinthesky, an inspiring new leader looked to enlarge and ensure his position with a clever move to put a permanent ring in his blissful people's noses while they vacantly smiled about his entrancing "Free Jewelry Paid For By Others" program.

He considered grabbing their health care as a powerful lever, but knew he couldn't police thousands of hospitals, doctors, nurses, medical labs, etc.

But the health insurance angle would work because insurance provided cash control across the entire industry. He could eliminate all existing insurance channels by innocently introducing a government insurance "option," gradually eliminating free market competition by lowball pricing and forcibly enrolling every person, while always promising better care at less cost. More for less is better, and government sounds safer, simpler, more efficient.

With reassuring speeches and speedy action to mask his objective, it was finished. Then when a health provider asked for $5,000 to pay for services rendered, the government sent a check for $3,500 and a directive to take the rest out of "fraud and waste." And the miracle of it all is that it worked... except for the people and their health care industry, which is always the way with Pie-in-the-sky.

CLIF TINKHAM

Contstitution being violated

Stimulus money, AIG, General Motors, Chrysler, $4,500 "Cash for Clunkers," $8,000 for first time home buyers, no money for COLA FOR Social Security. I dare say if 300,000,000 citizens received a million apiece out of $300 billion, there would be no foreclosures, business would boom, and some would elect not to work. But, that's socialist thinking! However, is it so different from what's happening now, except without the control of government? The deficit might be a lot better and who would need the monstrous health care bill laden with taxes and penalties? Secrecy behind closed doors, orders to cut salaries, trying to influence media, enemies list and calling them out.

I agree with Sen. Corker's speech: "It's all politically motivated and absolutely sinister."

Who will take the case to the Supreme Court for violation of constitutional vows?

I think a number of things happening are in direct conflict with America's Constitution, and the oath president Obama took. Members of Congress also are in violation when they vote "lock-step" with their own party, disallowing any Republican amendments, leaving a number of us without representation. For those of you in doubt, watch C-Span 95, 104, and 105 when Congress is in session.

CHARLOTTE TURNER