Increase spending to improve nation
The lock at the Chickamauga Dam has been of much debate and discussion, so I’m glad the Free Press editors who are always quick to criticize government spending unless they can wrap a flag around it have finally seen the light.
Rep. Zach Wamp, like many other Republicans, did a great job of bringing much-needed funding of the lock at Chickamauga.
As the infrastructure in America begins to decay, during a recession it is only smart to increase government’s spending, which in turn increases aggregate demand, and provides a more solid foundation for our kids in the years to come.
The lock is a great example of how the Obama administration is using projects of this kind to create jobs and stimulate our economy while in turn providing a better foundation for our children’s future.
So, in the future as conservatives criticize the efforts of this administration’s efforts to restore America, only to be the first in line to talk about how this or that project was brought here by me and how many jobs it is going to create or how it will impact the local economy, I have to ask this, just how far will your hypocrisy go?
PHILLIP CONDRA
Hixson
Put needs above county’s wants
As a lifelong resident and taxpayer of Hamilton County, I have seen good economy, bad economy, tax increases, growth and decline. This is a point in our history for leadership to correct course.
First, they should learn the difference between our needs and wants. Wants need to be put aside.
Then, list our needs in order, because all needs are not essential. The taxation ride is closed.
A new approach of matching the spending to the sustainable tax revenue base is a must.
If the present approach is continued in our community, we will go under. The cooks are taking so much of the tax pie there’s not enough left for the diners. That leadership will cause the diners to go elsewhere. The comparison is over-simplified but not off. Our future is up to us.
We residents want a community where we have a chance at the American dream. Don’t give us, or try to give us, everything at our neighbor’s expense. Give us the opportunity to provide for our own families what we feel is important to each of us.
We are more than glad to pay taxes for our essentials. Do not be blind to a new time in America.
DENNIS ALLISON
Ooltewah
Fixed income folk can’t afford fees
How can Mayor Ron Littlefield and our City Council justify this 64-cent property tax increase? They just raised the stormwater fee to $115.20. County taxes up, the high sewer rates.
We on a fixed income did not get a raise. Yet our insurance went up over 20 percent.
We must get rid of these in the next election. We cannot afford them.
Where do we go to get raises? The power rates went up. Where does it end? How are we supposed to live? Are they going to take my home because I cannot pay the taxes? May God help all of them. They won’t even keep the ditches cleaned out.
BETTYE THOMAS
Hixson
Pray for military, past and present
In the 1950s, as a young soldier recovering from noncombat injuries at the naval hospital in Portsmouth, Va., I was assigned to groundskeeping near and around the cemetery dating from the Civil War. I really didn’t know anything about Memorial Day. But looking at the markers and flags, I started thinking. I saw American flags alongside Confederate flags, German, Japanese and flags I didn’t know.
I passed up the chance to visit Arlington National Cemetery. I’m sorry I did. I’ve seen films showing the guards during their 21-step ritual in front of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. It makes you stop and think.
I’ve seen films of the American Cemetery at Normandy filled with D-Day dead. I’ve seen many national cemeteries around the country with the crosses and markers. I see faces of young Americans who have paid the price of freedom.
Today, we’re at another war I don’t agree with and don’t fully understand. Americans are spilling their blood on soil for countries that want our help but don’t respect us.
If you readers feel as I do, this Memorial Day please take a moment, close your eyes and send up a prayer for them as well as our military now serving in harm’s way.
KELVIN H. FLEMINGS
Soddy-Daisy
Law-abiding citizens need protection
Second Amendment aside, why do most people apply and train to get a concealed handgun permit?
I would guess that self-defense and protection of family members top the list.
There’s a strong anti-self-defense sentiment that’s growing in a country where we appear ready and willing to expect the government to provide for and protect us from ourselves.
For many, the image of gun violence is frightening, and rightly so. For those people, there is the hope that someone will protect them from such violence. Who would that be? Few criminal acts are committed in the vicinity of the local law enforcement officer.
I’ve heard the argument that there is no “need” to carry a weapon in certain places. Restaurants, country clubs and places that might have a beer and wine license are all associated with violence if a law-abiding citizen were to somehow find his way into such an establishment. Just the proximity to alcohol might set them off on a murderous rampage.
I suppose there is similarly no “need” to have a means of protection in a park or a house of worship. As we all know, there has never been violence in those sanctuaries.
Allow law-abiding citizens the right to protect themselves.
JERRY MACCAULEY
High court needs more women
I always thought that we should have more women in the Supreme Court. May God bless our country and our freedom!
WAYNE POST
Manchester, Tenn.
Redistribute money of wealthy first
I have a brief message and request for President Obama, Sen. Reid, Speaker Pelosi, Barney Frank, Oprah, Al Gore, Michael Moore, the liberal Hollywood elitists and even the middle-class liberal socialists.
Before you increase my taxes and the taxes of other hard-working Americans and small-business owners to fund giveaway programs to any illegal person or generational recipient of government handouts, sell your energy inefficient mansions, your limos, private jets and vacation homes; sell your capitalistic Wall Street investments and empty your big bank accounts.
Redistribute and give away your own personal wealth to these people before you demand that our indebted government do so.
We both know this will never happen. After all, did you not gain or inherit your wealth and possessions through the evils and exploits of capitalism? You are such socialist hypocrites!
JOEL W. SELF
Ringgold, Ga.
Correction
Due to a typographical error in a letter from Margaret Gavock Bryan in Thursday’s paper, this sentence should have read: “We watched in complete amazement as God put the whole thing together in just five days!”
THE EDITOR