Hope and change are redefined
Thomas Jefferson said it best: “If a government fears its people, there is Liberty. If the people fear their government, there is Tyranny.” Alas, it won’t make any difference to liberal Democrat voters, because they have no idea what they voted for in November 2008. Mostly, they don’t realize what freedoms they have surrendered, just in the last 14 months.
A friend once asked me what the difference is between a liberal and a conservative politician. It’s simple: Most conservative office-holders have sacrificed their time to serve their constituents and earn their votes. Liberals merely spend every waking moment trying to find ways to buy your vote, get re-elected and hide their true objectives.
Sure wish we could bring back the old “voter test,” where you must receive at least a 70 percent passing grade in order to vote! (Yeah, I know, it’s not gonna happen; that’s “discrimination.”)
Welcome to the world of the socialist community organizer. How’s that hope and change working for you now, folks?
JOHN BERGEN
Ringgold, Ga.
Judge Thomas praised for idea
At a time when our nation’s health care system needs cost reductions, one trial judge is using common sense to cut through the posturing for dollars by the plaintiff’s bar. By encouraging and implementing the use of an independent expert to assess the merits of a case, Judge Neil Thomas is actually moving us in a direction that will lead to real health care cost reforms.
It’s these kinds of innovative, common sense approaches that we need to reduce the cost of delivering health care. This won’t solve all our problems. But it would help move us in the right direction.
As a former critical care nurse, I was honored that he spoke with me years ago about his proposal and applaud Judge Thomas for his efforts to reduce the waste in our current system. Too often doctors make decisions and order unnecessary tests because they fear the consequences of a legal system run amuck. If we can get a handle on frivolous lawsuits, we can also reduce the costs while allowing doctors to treat patients; not patients and their personal injury attorneys.
Congratulations to Judge Thomas. May he succeed so we all can benefit.
ROBIN SMITH
Cheney’s words aiding al-Qaida
Former Vice President Dick Cheney and his right-wing chicken hawks are now acting as the advance team for al-Qaida, telling them that now would be the “advantageous” time to attack the U.S.
In 2007, Bush/Cheney authorized the release of 11 Saudis from Guantanamo. The released detainees then passed through a leaky Saudi halfway house terrorist rehabilitation program to rejoin al-Qaida. Two of the 11 former detainees took the express jihadi underground railroad to rejoin al-Qaida in Yemen.
Never in the history of this country has an ex-vice president come out publicly to tell of so-called “intelligence gaps” in our system. If he knows so much, why didn’t he try to stop the worst attack on this nation’s home soil or help with the fight we’re still in on this front? Instead, the gang deniers are saying that “there never was an attack on this country during the Bush/Cheney administration.” How absurd!
ANN BENTON
Signal Mountain
Help employees with stock returns
The news carries the story (Jan. 8) of the 7.5 percent increase in the value of shares at UPS while 1,800 employees will lose their jobs. To me, this is what gives capitalism a bad name.
People will say that I am naive and that the market will stabilize itself and these employees will eventually get new jobs, but at what cost? More people will sign up for unemployment, possibly lose their homes and live in a state of stress. Maybe not a large percentage of people but enough to ask: Where is the heart of capitalists who can’t make some concessions in a difficult economy? What if the increase were only 3 percent so that fewer or no people would lose their jobs? Shareholders need to pay attention to what’s happening at the companies in which they invest and demand a “gentler, more humane” approach to profits. That’s my heartfelt opinion.
ANNE CURTIS
Terrorists need only file lawsuits
The terrorists have it all wrong, going around blowing themselves up and other nonsensical sacrifices.
All they have to do is threaten an ACLU lawsuit and the American leadership will surrender en masse, just like Wilson County did when the ACLU threatened to sue because the county was committing the heinous crime of allowing the Gideons to offer Bibles to the students. And then the county paid the legal fees of their adversaries to boot.
I once asked a high-powered corporate lawyer and decorated Vietnam veteran whether he would rather die or be sued. He said he would rather die.
I guess the terrorists are just not thinking.
JUNE GRIFFIN
Dayton, Tenn.
Military retiree tax holds steady
In response to the letter (Jan. 5) from the military retiree about not getting a cost-of-living allowance this year but having his taxes increased, I suggest he check with the Department of Financial Accounting Services in London, Ky., (1-800-321-1080) concerning this matter because his taxes did not increase.
I, too, am a military retiree, and my retirement pay dropped by $9.30 this month. According to DFAS, the reason for that is, in April 2009, the federal government lowered the amount of tax it deducted from military retirement pay as part of the stimulus plan, and deducted that lowered rate until this check of January 2010, at which time the tax was returned to the original amount being deducted before April 2009. Ergo, no tax increase.
RICHARD A. SHANKEN
Rocky Face, Ga.
Executive order a threat to citizens
On Dec. 16, President Obama Amended Executive Order 12425, giving INTERPOL (International Criminal Police Organization) the highest level of full diplomatic immunity, against and confiscation of property and assets.
This conceivably could mean human assets — Americans arrested in their homes by INTERPOL officers.
These are American law enforcement officers with a central office in our Justice Department. This agency has been elevated above the U.S. Constitution and beyond the reach of the FBI.
This is the foundation for an international governing and policing body.
Action must be taken to reverse this order through public outcry and political pressure. Contact your senator and congressional representatives.
JAMES GROCE SR.
Chickamauga, Ga.