Editorial misstated stance on mining
In response to Thursday’s editorial that misreported my views on coal mining, I write to first and foremost make clear that I do not support the practice of mountaintop removal in the mining of coal in Tennessee. Period.
But years ago, our state gave up “primacy” over coal mining permitting to the federal government and, as a result, no new mountaintop removal is being done here. And that is good.
I do support responsible coal mining in Tennessee because approximately 60 percent of the electricity we get from the TVA is derived from coal.
Today, most of the mining being done in Tennessee is used to rework and reclaim once abandoned mine sites through the use of new, modern and responsible mining techniques.
I support these responsible mining techniques because they provide us with the energy and jobs we need and help create a greener, cleaner Tennessee through the reforestation of these areas as required by law. These reclamation efforts lead to cleaning up polluted streams, improved habitat for wildlife and a more beautiful Tennessee.
For more information about this issue and my campaign for governor, please visit www.ZachWamp.com.
ZACH WAMP
Republican Candidate for Governor
Government needs its original recipe
Our federal government: A recipe for disaster.
If the federal government was a factory and its legislation was the line of products it produces, I don’t think it could make it on Main Street.
It did OK in the past when it used ingredients like the spirit of compromise and majority rule. Today those raw materials have been replaced by a slimy, foul-smelling substance called corporate agenda. There are two recipes for every product that Congress considers producing, but when adding corporate agenda is mandatory, the result often bears little resemblance to either original recipe.
How can we get democracy back into the mix? Maybe we should try outsourcing our federal government to China. It worked for Walmart.
DAVID CLARK
Tullahoma, Tenn.
State rights is a convenient tool
In regard to Thursday’s article, “Wamp vows to keep fighting health reform as governor,” I believe Rep. Zach Wamp could be headed for an agonizing crisis of conscience if he wins the governorship. State officials, including judges, have to take an oath to support the federal Constitution. Perhaps at the swearing-in ceremony, Wamp will keep the words of James Madison in mind: “It was impossible to confine a Government to the exercise of express powers; there must necessarily be admitted powers by implication, unless the Constitution descended to recount every minutia.”
I also wonder if Wamp would support a state – say California or Vermont – utilizing the 10th Amendment if the Supreme Court outlawed abortion in all cases, and those two states decided to nullify the court’s decision? I think I know the answer. In reality, the notion of state rights is an argument that political sides utilize whenever it is convenient to do so. Rep. Wamp is simply an example of this continuing fact in our nation’s history.
MICHAEL V. WOODWARD
Garden visitors aid McDonald House
I write to let citizens of the greater Chattanooga area know how you have helped sustain our community. You see, Rock City Gardens commits to reinvesting in our local place and we leverage our annual festival calendar for the good of partnering organizations who serve the greater Chattanooga area. We believe intentional co-advocacy benefits all involved by investing in and improving our community.
Our marquis festival, The Enchanted Garden of Lights, celebrated its 15th year of success this past Christmas. We initiated a three-year process of adopting energy efficient LED lights and displays, and added value to the experience with many jovial live elves – and even a sleeping polar bear!
But our greatest success this past season involved you, our guests. Each year Rock City Gardens donates a portion of the revenue from the Enchanted Garden of Lights festival to the Ronald McDonald House. The RMH serves as a “home away from home” for approximately 600 families each year with critically ill or injured children in nearby Chattanooga hospitals. With this year’s contribution, we have now reinvested over $100,000 into serving these families. This success would not have been possible without your visits to the Enchanted Garden of Lights.
ANDREW V. KEAN
President and COO
See Rock City Inc.
Insurance firms control our lives
I am an American patriot. I will stand with my countrymen and fight against tyranny for freedom. I am talking about evil leaders of other countries, or against the leaders of giant companies that are attempting to control our lives! I am talking about health insurance companies. Companies that control whether or not you live or die.
These companies are fewer than you think. Their leaders operate from beyond our shores with nothing to stop them from making our lives shorter. I will not abide by the principles and guidelines of their policies.
Tennessee is supposedly the home of free thinkers. Stand up and let’s get control of our futures!
Anything that limits these companies needs to be done. After all, how many major countries around the world have a medical system that runs only on what insurance companies dictate? That’s right, we, our country is the goose that lays their golden eggs each and every time we pay their tribute in the form of monthly premiums. And if you can’t pay them – you die, friend!
HENRY FLINT
Cleveland, Tenn.
Propaganda halts health care bill
Health care legislation is hamstrung for several reasons; among them obstructionist pressure groups and too many lawmakers facing re-election who weakened and ballooned the package to steady their personal prospects.
The overarching difficulty may well be that destabilizing propaganda has made us a nation of widely varying opinions, and so we share few noncontroversial ones. Into this mix runs much degraded opportunism. Look at two problems unsolved in the health care package.
Nothing prevents pharmaceutical companies and their associated medical doctors from using the public as guinea pigs. And, there’s no requirement on the FDA to certify for prescription those natural preparations already proven superior to chemical formulas that cause additional illness.
Many M.D.s know about the former but don’t recommend the latter; modern medical schools appreciate formulaics more so than nutritional components essential for health.
Perhaps the remedy for legislative impasse is to give insurance and pharmaceutical companies one year to reform themselves along humane guidelines or fall under government regulation.
There are additional considerations. Why allow providers of essential services and products to accumulate great wealth? And, with a big pharmaceutical company operation here now, a difficulty for our state and federal legislators’ participation in reform also begins.
RACHEL WHEELER