Transporting wine could be risky
Since Costco will soon open across the border in Georgia, it would be wise to let local citizens know just what they risk by purchasing and transporting 14 bottles of wine (just over one case) back across the border to Tennessee. Articles have speculated about the reasons Costco decided to build in Fort Oglethorpe, and most seem to center on sales tax and wine sales.
However, I haven’t seen any mention of the draconian laws of Tennessee that will potentially turn otherwise law-abiding people into unsuspecting felons who risk having their cars confiscated.
While we have recently been granted the ability to ship limited quantities of wine into the state – much still needs to be changed to take the power out of the hands of the few that control the distribution of wine. When laws like this make so little sense and are so clearly and outrageously punitive while profits are so narrowly controlled, the old axiom applies, “follow the money.”
KEN HUNT
Red Bank Zoo new attraction
We are so blessed in this area of Tennessee. We have so many first-class attractions to brag about. We have the Chattanooga Aquarium, the Chattanooga Zoo, Lookout Mountain and, of course, the Red Bank Zoo.
BILL FRAKER
All Tea Partiers agree on grievances
The Tea Party movement is made up of millions of American citizens of all ages, financial, educational and ethnic backgrounds. Although we were once allied with one political party or to some political or social agenda, in this movement we are all conservatives.
There are thousands of various Tea Party organizations all over our great Republic; each is an independent entity that is very loosely allied with other Tea Parties.
Within the Tea Party there are almost as many different grievances against the corruption in government and our society as there are members, but we all agree on the following demands.
We demand that our government be fiscally responsible, that it doesn’t enslave our children and grandchildren with crushing debt.
We demand that our government obey the provisions of the United States Constitution. That the powers of the federal government be limited as envisioned by the Founding Fathers. The government is the servant of the people; the people are not the servant of the government.
We demand that the government cease its socialist agenda and return to a free market economy.
Liberals, there are over 50 million Americans who agree with these Tea Party demands, and we all vote.
JERRY HENDERSON
Cleveland, Tenn.
Political junket doesn’t aid state
At least one state legislator has the sense to oppose political junketeering. Thank you, Sen. Eric Stewart. You are absolutely right that Tennesseans don’t need to be paying for partisan political junkets to Arizona.
Nine Republicans had to go? I wonder how much that’s going to cost us. And, for what?
Going to Arizona doesn’t solve any of the problems we have here in Tennessee.
And, I wonder how many of those good ol’ Republicans (and their cronies) have employed illegal laborers because they were cheaper than American workers.
I’ve seen Republicans make a big show of the immigration problem, while exploiting it for themselves.
KATHERINE FRAZIER
Sewanee, Tenn.
It’s sad that city hammers police
When I think of all the money the Police Department brings to the city, it seems disrespectful the way the city treats its members in blue. I know of many officers who haven’t had a raise in years. But their insurance and, of course, the cost of just surviving have gone up.
Now the city wants to take away what little raise they got many years ago by taking away their police cars. If the cars aren’t taken away, then the city plans to charge the police officer to drive the police car to and from home.
The folks who get to be around those cruisers being driven home know that it’s a safe place to be at that time. The officers’ neighbors love having that cruiser in their neighborhoods and will tell you the cruisers’ presence is very productive in deterring crime.
I’m sure the money the city saves will allow more flowers for the parks.
The job the police do just at the Riverbend gala deserves a huge “attaboy.”
The officers in blue have a big bulls-eye on their backs from the media, public scrutiny and, of course, the bad guys, but get hammered annually by the city and it’s so sad.
MICHAEL BURNS
Ooltewah
Trade agreements led to job losses
The plan was simple: American technology would pass through a foreign trade agreement to another country. Work would be taken from the America worker – with an associated corporate cost of, let’s say, $40 per hour – and given to the foreign worker – with a cost of, let’s say, $40 per week.
You might say it’s hard to explain how the American worker, who for decades was recognized as the world’s most productive, is now among the unemployed. And you’d be wrong.
You might say it’s a mystery about Wall Street being so prosperous while millions of Americans are losing their homes. And you’d be wrong.
You might believe that American corporations are committed to the economic vitality of America. And you’d be wrong.
With political leaders promoting increased jobs, you would think there would soon be a substantial improvement in the jobs situation. And you’d be wrong.
Fourteen foreign trade agreements provided the United States with 14 trade deficits and the loss of millions of jobs. Had we known then what we know now, you might say, different decisions would have been made with regard to globalism. And you’d be wrong.
The plan worked.
SANFORD E. DOVER
Dalton, Ga.
Patriotism issue is not legitimate
In response to a letter (July 3) questioning the president’s patriotism.
I could well imagine the dressing down Gen. Petraeus would give to President Obama if he saw him saluting during a performance of the National Anthem. No American can salute during that rendition unless he has served in the military. That would be the ultimate insult to American soldiers. The president has never joined the military, and he is honoring our brave men and women who have served this country.
It is also respect for the flag with hands either held at your side or over your heart.
You also should never wear the flag such as neck ties, scarves, shorts, etc.
If the president had a ball cap on during the performance and did not remove it you would have a legitimate complaint.
HELEN MALMQUIST
Cleveland, Tenn.
Minority rules over majority
Never before, in my memory, has this nation been so divided, and our leadership is doing nothing to bring us together.
Some of us remember how we all came together during World War II. We proudly waved our country’s flag, we served in the military, we showed patriotism, we honored our heroes and our God and we prayed in our schools without fear of being imprisoned, fined or persecuted by left-wing radicals.
Now, the ACLU, they see religion as a scourge on mankind and they are doing everything to eliminate religion. In short, they divide us at every turn and our government does nothing.
Our government, rather doing what it’s supposed to do to protect its citizens, brings a lawsuit against a state that is simply trying to protect itself from criminals, drug dealers and terrorists from entering their state and our country. Is this a uniting action by our government?
God’s Ten Commandments mean nothing to the radicals who are getting their way little by little, protected by the government.
Today, the minority rules over the majority! Our present government cannot fix the problems; in November let’s elect people who will serve us, not themselves.
GENE O. WAGNER SR.
Rossville