Giving all facts aids opinion formation
I have noticed that writers to the Times Free Press tend to put forth only the facts and figures, which sometimes seem made up, that support their positions and opinions.
On Friday, June 8, on the editorial page, right side, the editors put forth the argument that the Democrats spent $4 million only to lose the recall in Wisconsin. Funny they didn't report that the Republicans spent $30 million (7.5 to 1) to defeat the recall and most of the money came from wealthy donors out of state. The failure to give all of the facts doesn't give the readers the information to arrive at their own opinion. This is disingenuous at best or a flat-out deception to support the writers' agenda. Money is the "mothers milk" of political elections and agendas, and thanks to the Supreme Court it is flooding our country and drowning the fairness and equality of our system to the detriment of the citizens of our great country.
JIM RICE
Red Bank
Vote for Wamp to regain hope
We're instructed in the Bible "to not have a spirit of fear." But as a mother who repeatedly hears from the older generations that these are the scariest days in America's history, fighting fear is an immense daily struggle. The debt my two young children will inherit simply for being American citizens is incomprehensible and unfair.
The elections of 2012 present an opportunity to turn our country back to what our Founding Fathers envisioned and away from the unrecognizable mess it's quickly becoming. The 3rd District congressional race is a perfect example. There's a candidate whose youth and energy will deeply invigorate the Republican Party in Washington which is suffocating from the same old corrupt politics both parties are guilty of. Young men can perform life-saving surgeries. Young men can lead battles. And a young man will go Washington with an incredible motivation to get our country back on track. This man is Weston Wamp. My family passionately supports his unwavering principles and promises to shake up D.C. and bring life and energy back to the Republican Party.
I implore you to vote along with me for Weston Wamp and once again feel hope for our amazing country and our families.
ANDREA JUNGELS
Hixson
Let Norton take up Moon's good work
I am truly touched by all of the support from the community after the passing of my son, General Sessions Court Judge Bob Moon. At a recent ceremony honoring my son, I was once again reminded of the lives he influenced and the good work he accomplished during his years on the bench.
Bob's successor, Judge David Norton, is doing a wonderful job. He is continuing Bob's tradition of working to improve the lives of our young people and of serving the community. Judge Norton's experience as an assistant county attorney and Soddy-Daisy judge has given him the skills and knowledge of both criminal and civil law. It takes a special person to be a General Sessions judge. David Norton is that person.
I would ask the citizens of Hamilton County to vote to keep Judge David Norton as General Sessions judge in the elections on Aug. 2.
CHRISTINE L. MOON
Editorial stand on senator proper
As head of the Tennessee Committee for the Bill of Rights, I would like to commend Drew Johnson for his proper editorial regarding Sen. Lamar Alexander. The Bill of Rights, which has been so neglected by law schools and the judiciary, has continued on in spite of neglect and obscurity, yet all 10 of these Articles to the Bill of Rights stand firm today in the hearts of true lovers of liberty.
For a descendant of one of those valorous and victorious veterans of the Battle of Kings' Mountain, member of prestigious descendants' organizations and U.S. senator to fly in the face of that history, blood-bought victory and his sworn oath to uphold these rights is not only unthinkable but is downright un-American.
If Drew Johnson will stand firm on these rights and his honor is untainted by compromise with the senator, he will be a nominee for this year's Bill of Rights award, which is given each year to worthy recipients.
As for the rest of us, we stand firm, holding the keys to Americanism: the Ten Commandments, the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights, blessed by the God of our fathers.
JUNE GRIFFIN
Dayton, Tenn.
Thanks for taking Alexander to task
I congratulate you on your editorial and your response to the letter from Sen. Lamar Alexander. It is about time the press took the members of Congress to task for their actions. We elect conservatives, and on the way to Washington something happens to them and they become liberals overnight. Sometimes it take a little longer. They have to be wined and dined by the liberals in Washington who tell them how intelligent they are if only they take the liberal point of view.
I have visited our Georgia senators in their palatial offices in Washington and they soon forget the voters who sent them there as they enjoy the perks that go along with their seat. Once elected, their main goal is to stay in that position for life. We will never get term limits. They enjoy the power too much.
I liked Sen. Alexander, and I am sad that he let the liberals get to him. I thought he was made of sterner stuff.
Please keep up the good work. We need the few conservatives we have left in the press to point out the wayward ways of our congressmen.
EDITH MIDDLETON
Dalton, Ga.
Washington votes are bought, sold
I lived in Washington, D.C., for 11 years, from the mid-'60s through the mid-'70s and had numerous opportunities to see first-hand how our political system works.
I'm quiet sure there were at least a dozen locations, but three come to mind: the lounge in the basement of the Mayflower Hotel, the lounge and restaurant in the Gramercy Inn at Lafayette Park and the Rotunda, a very high class restaurant on Independence Avenue. To these places, and others, the congressmen left for when business concluded on Capitol Hill.
It was also at these establishments that the lobbyists were waiting. I personally saw envelopes and keys exchange hands. One can only guess what they contained or unlocked.
The only purpose of this letter, my friends, is to let you know that your votes are bought and sold to the highest bidder as soon as your candidate is elected and sent to Washington. You can tell me it no longer happens, but I know better.
JIM PARRISH
North Chattanooga
'Letter' a 'bully' attack on senator
My, my! It appears that the Free Press editor has succumbed to the old "underwear in a wad" syndrome. The editor attacks Sen. Lamar Alexander for voting his conscience and doing the right thing. Sen. Alexander responds by writing to the Free Press editor.
On July 12, we had an entire page titled "Open letter to Alexander," which sounds like a "spoiled, entitled, petulant bully" attack on a great senator.
GRETCHEN MERCHOFF
Hixson
Few good reasons to oppose limits
Yes, term limits for City Council. The number of people opposed to term limits is roughly equal to the number of people currently in office. It appears to be the nature of political beasts. With two exceptions, the arguments opposing term limits range from the unrealistic to the laughable. The first exception is that the voters can term limit anyone at the ballot box. Everyone knows that special interests groups line up to fund incumbent campaigns. The odds and money are on their sides. The second exception is term limits would limit a good politician from serving. Seriously, what are the chances that would happen?
ESTER MAXWELL