Enact Fair Tax to avoid socialism
In response to the letter (May 28) titled “Don’t let leaders take away our freedoms.” The only way we can keep them from doing this is to pass the Fair Tax. And in doing so, we would take the power away from Congress, and that in itself would save our freedom.
But if the power remains, we are headed down the road to socialism or something worse. And let’s not forget taxes. Obama has said we needed to “spread the wealth,” and I am sure that is just what he is going to do.
So the only way we can get out from under this kind of rule is to enact HR23, the Fair Tax. If we can get this passed there would be no taxes except one at checkout at Walmart or wherever, and it would be no more than we are paying now.
Please, check it out at FairTax.org
The Fair Tax is just what it states, fair.
JOANN WHITLOW
Harrison
Gobble possesses qualities we need
I’ve known Bradley County Sheriff Tim Gobble since he was a boy. I saw his character and heart for helping others shape early. As his sixth-grade teacher, long before he built a lifetime of experience in public service, I saw his potential.
Over the years, I’ve watched as his record of professionalism and diligence has been matched with integrity above reproach. From the Secret Service to his current position as sheriff, I’ve seen how seriously he takes his job. When he swore an oath to protect the Constitution and his country, he meant it. If he’s given that opportunity as a U.S. congressman, I have no doubt he’ll serve us well.
I know Tim will listen to the people because he’s a people person, and he’ll represent the people of the 3rd District first. I hope voters will consider all of his qualifications and vote for Tim Gobble on Aug. 5.
EDITH SAMPLES KINCAID
Cleveland, Tenn.
President not taking freedoms
So, according to several who have written letters to the editor, President Obama is taking away our freedoms. Who told them that? How do they know? What freedoms are they talking about?
When I take out my copy of the Constitution with its “Bill of Rights,” I see none that he has infringed upon. He has not touched the freedoms of religion, speech, or the press. He has not abridged our rights to bear arms, to assemble, or to petition the government. He has not quartered soldiers in Chattanooga, Signal Mountain, or any other community. He is not instigating unreasonable searches or having people arrested without warrants. He is not making people testify against themselves or denying accused people the right to a fair trial. He is not subjecting people to cruel or unusual punishment.
“Freedom,” I believe, should not be used frivolously to concoct a political smear.
President Obama has repeatedly shown his support for a) freedom from oppression and b) freedom to participate in the democratic process. He has done so by promoting the conditions (health, e.g.) that make it possible for all of us to exercise our freedoms in context with others who also have rights.
BOYCE BRAWLEY
It’s illegal to cut city retiree benefit
I am a retired sergeant with the Chattanooga Police Department and I have been retired for 10 years.
I am one of the thousand retirees receiving health care benefits from the city of Chattanooga BlueCross BlueShield insurance. I have been paying for medical insurance for the past 35 years. It was paid out of my check when I worked for the Chattanooga Police Department and I have been paying for it out of my pension check for the past 10 years. My wife has MS and if it was not for my insurance my wife would be dead.
In the Times Free Press on May 30, Cliff Hightower wrote an article stating that the City Council is going to delay the retiree medical benefit program. Does this mean that the City Council is going to cancel all the current retirees’ medical benefits? Myself and the other 1,000 retirees are vested members of this insurance plan and it is illegal for them to do this.
Councilwoman Pam Ladd and Councilwoman Carol Berz have been discussing this with other council members and Mayor Ron Littlefield on their budget cuts.
I hope they do not try this.
RALPH S. BROWN
Flintstone, Ga.
U.S. bureaucracy is the problem
It is interesting to watch the Republicans blame President Obama with the terrible oil crisis in the Gulf of Mexico. It reminds me of the Democrats blaming President Bush for the disaster of Hurricane Katrina.
The problem is one word, bureaucracy! Bureaucracy is part of every government and large businesses and industries. Bureaucracies cannot respond quickly to any situation. The larger the bureaucracy, the longer it takes to respond. The larger the bureaucracy, the more inefficient it is.
We must minimize the size of government bureaucracy. Government has the power by nature of its position, thus it does not need size, to make sure that businesses like BP do the right thing in such disasters. A small bureau can organize and react more quickly than the massive bureaucracy we have created over the past 10 to 15 years or even longer.
There are so many illustrations in our history that we must be intentionally blind to miss it.
The problem: Bureaucracy! Bureaucracy! Bureaucracy!
The solution: Less and less bureaucracy! Under every administration.
Until we do this we will blame each other and never deal with our problems effectively or efficiently.
ROGER STILES
Ringgold, Ga.
Gobble’s experience makes him top pick
There are quite a few candidates in the Republican primary for Congress, but only one has the real experience we need. Tim Gobble has spent his life protecting us. As a Secret Service agent, he protected our government from harm. As a sheriff who actually goes out on patrol himself, he works to protect our streets. As a member of the Cleveland City Council and in his role as sheriff, he’s also worked to protect taxpayer money from wasteful spending
We must make sure that our congressional seat is in safe, steady hands. Tim Gobble has shown himself worthy of this important job. It’s too important to hand over to just another politician. Tim Gobble is a public servant.
EVA JO SMITH
Real spill culprits must accept blame
Reading and listening to reports about the oil spill in the Gulf, politicians and activists are on their soap boxes spreading blame toward those with whom they disagree.
Congressional leaders vow to make the despots of BP Oil Co. pay dearly for such a tragic turn of events. However, the real culprits have not been identified by anyone that I have heard pontificating their threats of retribution.
When will the lawmakers and environmentalists step up and accept their responsibility? Why in the world are oil companies attempting to drill for oil in mile-deep water when they could most likely get the same oil in a few hundred feet of water?
The extremists who profess desires to protect the environment have instead contributed to a catastrophe that will likely poison the Gulf Coast for years to come. Yet another example of the unintended consequences of hastily enactment of laws by our government. These lawmakers are self-centered power seekers who’ll do or say anything for power. A prime example is how information was orchestrated to the Congressional Budget Office to score their health legislation. Now that the facts are in, we find it will cost billions more. Who knows how much more?
TAYLOR E. CAVIN
Hixson
We are the guilty ones in oil spill
As we watch helplessly, the oil slowly creeps ashore. The blue-green waters of the Gulf become as blood. If this goes on for months, if this black-gold continues to bleed up from the ocean floor, an entire sea and beautiful coastline will become a dead zone.
Death’s cold hands of bone could well reach out beyond this salty lake and threaten an ocean of life. Such is the folly of man.
This is an epic disaster. Put a price tag upon it. Demand recompense. You will hear death laugh as of wind rustling dry leaves. There will be no price that can be paid to set things right. In the end, the guilty will stand before us. They will be us. Such is the folly of man.
DAVID DURHAM