Parties don’t aid ‘We the People’
I don’t like what Republicans or Democrats have done to “We the People” in the last several decades. Neither party represents me, and I’m not the only one who feels that way. Far more citizens like independent thinking. A move is on to replace every incumbent, Republican or Democrat.
I want someone representing me and my family and my community who cares about all of us, serves for three terms in Congress then comes home and lets another citizen take his place representing the people.
One example I really dislike is that Zach Wamp will retire with a paycheck for life of a minimum of $174,000 annually. Totally unfair to us taxpayers. If there were term limits, there would be no reason to have retirement for Congress. They don’t deserve it anyway. So in addition to term limits, Mark DeVol, independent congressional candidate for the 3rd District, is for eliminating Congress’ retirement program.
And Mark is for the 28th Amendment, where Congress cannot vote for something the people must do that Congress doesn’t have to do, nor can Congress vote a benefit to themselves that is not also available to “We the People.”
Support Mark DeVol – www.devol2010.com
JIM SIMS
Red Bank
Editor’s Note: Urban myths on congressional retirement benefits are incorrect. After 16 years in Congress, Wamp will be eligible at age 62 for a retirement benefit of $3,500.17 monthly, subject to income taxes. He will receive no health care benefit for his congressional service.
Don’t return to GOP policies
We are nearing recovery, but corporations are buying Republican politicians.
If too many Americans have been brainwashed, lost their memory of the Bush/Cheney train wreck, and put the GOP back in power, here are a few of the things they are pledged to do.
Demolish the new health care plan before it has a chance to save lives and money (They always use the childish term ObamaCare.)
Demolish Social Security and Medicare.
Demolish public education – the multimillionaire families that control GOP politicians only want peons and slaves.
“Take our country back” to the same failed plans, deregulation and tax cuts for the ultra rich.
The new jobs they create go to China, India, etc. To go back to that would complete the train wreck.
The recession caused by the GOP may become a 1929-type depression. The lies of the right-wing sound machine in attempting to blame Democrats for the recession are disturbing, disgusting, anti-democratic, and un-American! They repeat those lies over and over. Seek out and find the truth.
You will not find truth by listening to Limbaugh and Fox “fake news.” They only deal in smear, fear and deceitful, divisive hatred.
ANN BENTON
Signal Mountain
Dig deep in search for the log perch
I read with great interest and some amusement the story of the log perch a few weeks ago in your paper. It supposedly lives only in a small portion of the Conasauga River.
I was employed in Arizona at the time (about 32 years ago) that the snail darter made all the news. According to scientists and EPA, only a small stretch of the Tellico River held the snail darter. They held up building of Tellico Lake many years because of the belief.
When I was a young boy growing up in North Georgia the streams were alive with snail darters, but we kids called them Molly-crow-dollies. I just hope the experts dig a little deeper this time.
GEORGE THOMPSON
Blairsville, Ga.
Elect LeCompte, Smith in Red Bank
Red Bank residents will elect two City Commission members. I recommend David R. Smith and Ed LeCompte and to keep the present mayor (Joe Glasscock) in office.
David and Ed are very fine men. They will be an asset to the city of Red Bank. They will work hard, and they will try and do what the people want done.
I think the little city of Red Bank is the greatest, and I think they have one of the best little mom and pop restaurants.
It is good to have change now and then to keep people from staying in their jobs too long and from getting stale in their jobs. I think there should be term limits on all elected jobs like the president of the U.S.A. He can only run for two four-year terms.
H. BUDDY ROGERS
Red Bank
GOP’s ‘freedom’ isn’t for all
I was under the impression that Republicans were champions of “freedom.” According to the vote against the repeal of the “don’t ask don’t tell” policy, I say freedom for whom.
Is it only those who fit into the idea of what they think an American should be?
They voted against repealing the policy without any real evidence of why we should keep it. There have always been homosexuals in the military. I don’t think there is any question that these soldiers were or are just as capable as their heterosexual counterparts.
Canada got rid of a similar policy and found no significant disadvantages. So in America, where we have fought for tolerance and fought against discrimination, how do we allow this intolerance against the people who are willing to die to protect our “freedom”?
We allow women and men to work together every day in our military. What is the difference?
From personal experience, I think that members of the military would agree that when it comes to being in a combat zone they are soldiers first; their lifestyle is not a factor.
Give everyone who fights for “freedom” what they are fighting for.
RaDONNA STILL
East Ridge
Red Bank needs more transparency
My family moved to Red Bank in 1937 when I was 3 years old. The downtown area had a few stores with two-lane U.S. Highway 27 going through it. No sidewalks.
I saw the city become incorporated and watched our local politics. I have been proud of the way our elected officials did the public’s business. Until recently it was pretty transparent. A citizen could tell what was going on and why.
The firing of Police Chief Sneed has changed that. I don’t know him and don’t defend him because I’m not sure why he was fired. I wasn’t aware our City Manager Dorsey had such broad powers regarding the firing of department heads. What disturbs me was how it was done.
After a unscheduled meeting of three commissioners and the city manager, the deed was done without any notification to the other commissioners, including the mayor. No transparency here. The firing of a department head should have been done out in the daylight where all could see and know why such a rash act was done. This is very disturbing to me and I’m sure others in the community and will be dealt with at election time.
JIM RICE
Red Bank
Glasscock works tirelessly for city
This is an endorsement for the election of Joe Glasscock for Red Bank City Commission.
Yes, I am Joe’s wife, but who better than I would know the many long hours and hard work that Joe has put in for the benefit of Red Bank? I know personally how much Joe loves Red Bank and only wants the very best for the city.
I sincerely ask for your vote on Nov. 2 for Joe, knowing that he has your best interest at heart and that he will work tirelessly for the good of Red Bank.
BILLIE (MRS. JOE)
GLASSCOCK