Note to candidates: The dead cannot give
In this day and age of “instant” information, I find it difficult to understand a request for political donations to a person who has never lived at my address.
This person, who has never lived in Tennessee, has been deceased since December 2006.
Perhaps the www.tedcruz.org/Victorymatch should refrain from soliciting contributions from deceased voters.
If his organization can’t tell the difference between deceased and living constituents, he probably shouldn’t be running for president.
Randolph Otvos, Red Bank
***
Obama’s choice is will of the people
Following the untimely death of Justice Scalia, I am perplexed by the response of the Republican Party to his death.
It is currently fashionable for the candidates and other Republican leaders to demand that “his successor should be picked by the will of the people,” meaning the next president after the election.
I am perplexed because this is simply illogical.
I know they are banking on a Republican winning the presidency who would nominate a Scalia-clone, but set that aside. Who do they think elected President Obama? Was this the result of a temporary invasion of Martians, body snatchers or other non-people?
If President Obama nominates a replacement for Justice Scalia, it will be the will of the people doing it. It just won’t be the people the Republicans think should count.
Unfortunately, this type of illogic has led to the widespread mistrust of government and politicians at all levels.
John C. West, Signal Mountain
***
Smith does not deserve any buyout
I am writing to express my wife’s and my strong opposition to the Hamilton County Board of Education providing Rick Smith with any buyout of his contract.
Dr. Smith has long been in a leadership position in this tragically failed system.
A clear message must be sent, especially in light of the Ooltewah outrage, that this failure cannot be rewarded.
Let the community begin to rebuild our schools based upon achievement, not incompetence.
Michael and Molly Rich, Signal Mountain
***
Give Senate strict time constraints
The Senate has become the country’s worst enemy.
Not pointing to either party – they both are guilty of not serving the people and country.
What I propose. that if the Senate does not either approve or deny a presidential appointment within a specified time frame, then that appointment takes effect.
This would be for executive office department heads and judicial posts and even include any other appointment that the Senate, under the Constitution, is required to approve or deny.
I was thinking 30 days but certainly no more than 90.
Either “yes” or “no” in that time frame.
Roger Thompson, Tullahoma, Tenn.
***
Trump gives Bushes what Gore couldn’t
The Bush family got a richly deserved black eye after what was done to take the presidential election from Vice President Al Gore, but this time it was meted out by Republican Donald Trump.
Too bad, Karl Rove; what goes around comes around.
Tom O’Neal, Signal Mountain