Washington turns back on citizens
Hundreds of billions of dollars for two questionable, some would say illegal, wars!
Hundreds of billions of dollars for bailing out incompetent bankers and their fraudulent deals.
No more dollars for the citizens, who through no fault of their own were thrown out of their jobs.
Who do those elected officials really represent? Obviously not the citizens who elected them!
It was the banking system, gone insane, that caused people to be thrown out of their jobs.
I heard the comments like “unemployment compensation is a disincentive to find a job. Cut them off and they will have to get out and find a job.” Easy to say for someone who gets a fat salary from the government.
Unemployment benefits pay a max of $300 a week in Tennessee. How many families can survive on that?
It is by no means a free ride for anyone. How would Sen. Bob Corker like to lose his job and try to live on $300 a week, then nothing, a week?
Washington turned its back on us a long time ago. How can anyone still support these people?
A long time ago, the French said, “Let them eat cake,” and look what happened.
R. KELLY TAT
Soddy-Daisy
Alternative energy must be developed
The Union of Concerned Scientists, of which I am a member, conducted a recent study which showed that Tennessee is among the top five states most dependent on coal imported from without its borders.
In 2008, Tennessee spent $1.2 billion on imported coal to generate electricity. Aside from the fact that combustion of coal is a major cause of increasing atmospheric pollution, this is an expensive lost opportunity to the state’s economy. Tennessee and the electric utilities should be investing more into the development of alternative and cleaner sources of energy.
Congress must pass comprehensive climate and energy legislation that includes a strong renewable electricity standard requiring utilities to generate 20 percent of our electricity from renewable sources, such as the wind and sun, by 2025.
The Senate is currently considering legislation that could address this subject. I join others in the informed public in encouraging our Sens. Lamar Alexander and Bob Corker to vote positively in correcting this serious problem.
DAVID TRAYER
Hixson
Fields understands needs of district
Hamilton County Commission District 2 has been represented for many years by Dr. Richard Casavant, who provided honorable and respectful service to our community. We are fortunate in that Mr. Fields is now desirous of continuing to vigorously represent all of the constituents of the 2nd District.
I have known Jim Fields for several years and know firsthand that he understands the needs of the 2nd District in respect to the economy, education and budgeting. He is a person of principle, integrity and one whom we can expect to be straightforward with us. He is the right person, at the right time, to represent us.
Join me and vote early or at the polls Aug. 5 for Jim Fields District 2.
BILL RAINES