Sentence structure has Edwards in box
In the newspaper (Saturday) there was a brief AP story titled: “Edwards’ aide turns over sex tape to FBI.” According to the AP, “Andrew Young said Friday he has the original copy of the tape showing Edwards in a sexual encounter in a safe deposit box in Atlanta.” From the way the sentence is written, one would have to conclude that former Sen. Edwards has a bizarre notion of romance and that he owns a very large safety deposit box.
MICHAEL V.
WOODWARD
Hixson
Election ruling will increase infighting
Immediately after the Supreme Court’s recent decision to allow corporations and labor unions unlimited right to purchase political campaign advertising, Ralph Nader suggested remedy: an amendment to the Constitution.
Next, the State of the Union message held opportunity for reactions. Obama took it: Congress must protect itself from overweening interference. The ruling would increase political infighting and further decrease ability to legislate.
Five Supreme Court justices have troubled coequal branch of the federal government. That’s going unnoticed even though the ruling’s timing is unmistakable; many upcoming state and federal elections occur this spring and fall. Unless quickly blocked, ethical candidates who don’t toady will lose; misleading propaganda will win.
It appears the beginning of a war of attrition against representative government is launched. We now need not only a constitutional amendment to prevent wealth from suborning free speech but the addition of an equally important prohibition: none of the three branches of government shall act to undermine another.
We must never ignore headlong alterations that open the door to treachery and decline. The present financial crisis began a quarter-century ago. Erosive forces have been depriving us of national stability for 47 years.
RACHEL WHEELER
Soddy-Daisy’s
mayor keeps word
Soddy-Daisy Mayor Geno Shipley is a man of his word. In an article in the newspaper, Mayor Shipley stated that correcting storm drainage issues would be a priority for 2010.
For seven years and after much expense on drains, pipes, redirection etc., our home would still flood on occasion. The foundation was cracking, concrete steps and driveway were separating and pipes were breaking from the pressure. Two waterproofing companies had thrown up their hands!
When we contacted Mayor Shipley, he developed a simple solution that was implemented by cheerful and efficient city workers within two weeks. Not only did the roadside curb relieve the problem
with storm drainage to our home, but also our neighbor has experienced less soil erosion to their side yard.
Thank you, Mayor Shipley, and all the city employees who provided this solution. We are grateful to live in Soddy-Daisy where the officials really care for the citizens.
STEVE & DEBBIE
SMITH
Study the deficit
from expert’s view
Regarding Paul Krugman’s column (Feb. 6) on the deficit. Krugman won a Nobel Prize for his approach to “a new theory on the effects of free trade and globalization.” The award does not make him an authority on the deficit.
Consider the issue of deficits through the eyes of David Walker, comptroller general and head of the Government Accountability Office from 1998 to 2008. He gave up this prestigious position to enlighten Americans to the perils we face from enormous federal deficits. He discussed deficit problems with Americans in meetings around the country along with luminaries such as Warren Buffett, Alan Greenspan, Paul Volcker and Robert Rubin.
Peter Peterson, former secretary of commerce under Richard Nixon, asked Walker to lead his new foundation to alert Americans to the problems with deficits. Mr. Walker has compared the present-day United States with the Roman Empire in its decline.
Mr. Walker has been a vocal critic of profligate federal spending and says that the United States is “underwater to the tune of $50 trillion in long term obligations.” Mr. Walker’s resume is replete with numerous awards, and he has held positions that make him an expert to point out the dangers of our rapidly growing deficits.
BRIAN TILLOTT
Dunlap, Tenn.
City services excel during snowstorm
Thank you, Electric Power Board and Streets/Service Department of Chattanooga, for fine services during the snow and ice storm.
Even though our home was among the last 73 to gain electricity as trees kept falling on the lines, the Power Board was very attentive to the situation. City work crews cleared trees across the road so we could get out, and the next day took the massive brush pile away.
We petitioned to come
into the city from the county several years ago because we acknowledge the value of city services. By the time I paid for garbage collection, higher insurance premiums and subscription fire service, which is inferior to city fire (and police) services, there is very little difference in cost between my taxes vs. these expenses. It’s also comforting to have a fireplug near the end of my driveway in case of fire now that I’m in the city.
Besides the above, I work in the city. If there were no Chattanooga, there would be no reason to be here. The city and Power Board deserve our support. I wish the water company were run by a cityowned, customer oriented entity like the Electric Power Board.
CHARLES W.
WALLDORF
Stop politics, come together on health
A new study shows that spending on health care rose to about $2.5 trillion in 2009, to about $8,047 per person, and will double by 2019.
Washington needs to come together for the people of this nation and stop all the politics!
We cannot afford to get sick, cannot afford to die. The new American dream is to stay healthy or risk losing everything we have worked so hard for if we dare get sick.
There is nothing to leave our children but a load of debt, and a government that does not work for the people, unless the people can line their pockets with wealth. That leaves me out, and everyone I know.
If all the big government leaders were there to help any of us, they would move beyond their petty spreading of hate, name-calling, and mudslinging and do something for a change! Stop acting like spoiled brats, and do something! I am ashamed of all of you!
SANDRA SMITH
Benton, Tenn.
We need better
health plan now
I had health insurance until 2009. Then, with all my medical expenses and not working, I had to drop it and go back into the VA, where I am now at the taxpayers’ expense, because I am unable to work.
I have to travel 120 miles one way to the VA. That’s hard to do at times. I only receive a small pension that I had to start early.
I get no state aid. I owe a lot to the hospital and doctors, which I hope one day to pay off. I have to go every month for cancer treatment. I am lucky so far that it’s not deadly, but it still is expensive and painful. I have other health issues as well but bear the pain and try not to be a larger burden on everyone.
I am only one of millions who need help. It would be to the best interest to have a better plan than we have now. I have lived and worked all of my life with some means of insurance, but it is way out of hand for many people.
Please help President Obama and the thousands of others trying to make this issue right.
DENNIS KINSER
Rockwood, Tenn.