Prayers needed to lift America
America is in a mess. And it began on the heels of World War II.
Why? Because we came from the war feeling smug and invincible. Then prosperity began. And this Christian nation did what she was warned not to do. She forgot God. Deuteronomy 28:49-52 explains clearly what is happening now. It's spot on.
The only remedy is for America to turn back to God. It begins with genuine repentance and unified prayers going up to the God we forgot.
I am doing my part. Will you?
EDNA BOGUE, Henagar, Ala.
Hazlewood gets support
I am writing in strong support of Patsy Hazlewood for Tennessee state representative for District 27.
I have known Patsy for a number of years and admired her effective leadership in the business and civic arenas. She's smart, practical and works well with a wide variety of people.
She will do an excellent job for District 27 and advance the interests of southeastern Tennessee in Nashville.
DANA B. PERRY
Nothing is free, after all
What follows is a plea for some simple economic common sense in the public discourse.
The federal government reported recently that the deficit for the current fiscal year will be the least of any incurred during the Obama years -- just under $600 billion, which means the U.S. Treasury borrows about $1.6 billion per day.
The debt on the federal budget is now well over $17 trillion, an amount that cannot realistically ever be repaid even at the current record-low interest rates.
In other words, we have been living far beyond our means, and the piper will be paid one way or another. Higher taxes? Confiscation? Inflation?
Meanwhile, your writers have written recently of "free contraceptives" and "savings for women," and quite literally "free lunch" (for most Hamilton County students).
Contraceptives and lunch may be given at someone else's expense, but they are not and can never be free. "Free lunch" will be taxpayer-subsidized, but it cannot be free, and it doesn't much matter if those taxpayers are paying county or federal taxes.
A distinction without a difference.
GARY LINDLEY, Lookout Mountain, Ga.