Story contains inaccuracies
On Sunday, April 4, an article on page A12 in the “Politics” section of the Chattanooga Times Free Press titled “The right rewriting U. S. history,” published by McClatchy Newspapers has several, in my opinion, lies that should have been caught by the editors of the Chattanooga Times Free Press, before publication.
The first lie states that conservatives are pushing the state school board in Texas to rewrite U. S. history. What the conservatives are pushing for is to take the political correctness out of the history textbooks and tell the history as it happened. These same textbooks are used in other states also.
The second lie states that “Theodore Roosevelt was an icon of the Republican Party who ushered in the Progressive era.” The article also says “Fox TV commentator, Glenn Beck, however says that Roosevelt was a socialist whose legacy is destroying America.”
Anyone with any intelligence knows that Progressives are not Republicans. Go to the Communist Party USA Web page and check it out for yourself.
BYRON J. HENDRIX
Cleveland, Tenn.
Free market must be defended
A truly disturbing fallout from the last couple of years has been the demonization of free market capitalism. Both Democratic and Republican politicians have indulged in this cynical populism.
Capitalism and civil rights go hand-in-hand. Regulated economies equal regulated societies.
In France, whose economy is quasi-socialist, the government has so little respect for freedom of speech or religion that it seeks to ban head-scarves for Muslim women.
In Britain, another semi-socialist economy, surveillance cameras are ubiquitous and the government imposes a host of petty regulations on everything from pet ownership (you need ID tags for horses and donkeys) to gun ownership (banned for self-defense purposes).
We see this in America today. The government has commandeered the auto industry, exploded the national debt and taken over student loans. Not coincidentally, we find that same government dictating that we must buy health insurance whether we wish it or not. This is stark coercion.
Free people operating in a free market stand in direct opposition to government authority. And since government, backed by its police power, is the only entity capable of real tyranny, it’s essential that the free market be defended.
BEN M. WOLK
Fort Oglethorpe
Costs make mergers look pretty good
(A letter writer, April 4) states Chattanooga citizens must vote on mergers of services as the City Charter established in 1852 (which started these services) would have to be changed by amendment.
He feels the mayor and City Council shouldn’t be allowed to change the City Charter without a vote by citizens of the city.
If real costs to city residents of those services were made public the vote would be a no brainer. Residents of the city would be happy to spread this cost over the entire county.
If I did some quick calculation of city police only from numbers I’ve heard, the city budget for police is about $41,000,000. Spread this cost over 170,000 city residents, it equals about $240 per resident.
Spread it over about 300,000 total county residents and it’s $136 per resident.
Every county resident would have their taxes go up but it would be based on the value of property they own or rent.
What happens to other smaller towns in the county like Red Bank and East Ridge? Those residents would have their county taxes go up and also have to support their own police department, unless they option to join the metro police system also.
GENE HAY
Hixson
Keep up good work with “Good News’
I was a little late in reading my April 1 newspaper. I almost didn’t read it. But when I turned to the editorial page, oh, what a blessing!
There admidst the chaos in the world today and the evil forces that would destroy Christianity if it were possible, there was the “Good News” of Jesus Christ our savior proclaimed boldly for all to see and read!
The only sanity in our world today, and the only peace, is in Him. You have the power to touch many lives, and I believe I speak for many people in our community and across our great state that we appreciate your efforts in doing just that. Keep up the good work!
Thank you, and God bless you.
EUNICE PEARDON
Pastor’s Wife
Bible Church of God
South Pittsburg, Tenn.
Police merger needs thought, vote
In 1978, the Memphis fire and police went on strike.
I was one of the National Guardsmen sent to keep the peace.
Without the deputies from the county, together with supervisors from the Memphis Fire and Police departments, we would have been unable to respond in a timely manner to any calls. I doubt if there was any one of us who was familiar with that city.
The supervisors alone would not have been sufficient in number to provide backup. We had been trained to handle civil disobedience. However, without those men we would have been a lost ball in high weeds.
I just don’t like the idea of merging the two (police departments) here without much consideration and a vote by the people.
Also, I get the impression that a few individuals are trying to push it through in too big a hurry.
JAMES H. LANDRESS
Skillern involved in community
Many years ago, I heard a phrase that went something like this, “Would you rather have a showhorse or a workhorse on your farm?” My conclusion as to county commissioners is that I would rather have a workhorse. County Commissioner Fred Reese Skillern is a workhorse. He has worked diligently for the citizens in his district, involving himself in multiple areas of the community.
Fred Skillern has demonstrated genuine concern for the residents of District 1. In recent years, he has seen that every school, every volunteer fire department and most parks in his district have received additional funding for their needs. He has funded playgrounds, fire hydrants, historical markers, concrete pads, pitching machines, lighting for athletic fields, stages, paving, and many other items. In other words, Commissioner Fred Skillern has been actively involved in meeting the needs of the citizens of District 1.
Fred Skillern has been at work for the residents of District 1 and Hamilton County. While I cannot personally vote for him, I certainly would urge others to vote for him in the Republican primary May 4.
PASTOR
MITCH MCCLURE
Hixson