Obama working for working class
If you are among the poor working class/jobless working class or middle class and bashing Obama, you are bashing the one hand that’s trying to help you. Every law he has signed or proposed is for your benefit.
Among the good things he has done:
Renewed child health program (SCHIP).
Signed bills to give women equal pay, to curb credit card companies’ abuse, to stop insurance companies from unethical rate hikes and other deceptive practices and to create a consumer protection agency.
His stimulus bill helped keep the economy and auto industry from complete collapse.
He proposed to keep tax cuts for middle class and small businesses instead of extending tax cuts for the 2 percent of the richest.
He passed measures to restore the environment from damage of the previous eight years.
Passed the first minimum wage increase in a decade and $3.7 billion for vets’ health care.
Passed $3.4 billion for military readiness.
Got unemployment payments over Republican stalling and passed health care reform that allows children to stay on their parents insurance until age 26 and keeps insurance companies from refusing pre-existing conditions.
He proposed bill to drop capital-gains tax for companies that keep jobs in the U.S.
Republicans opposed the vast majority of the above.
TOM A. PHIPPS
Obama’s critics shouldn’t judge
Those who claim that President Obama is a Muslim choose to ignore the fact that he is a baptized Christian practicing and proclaiming the faith, while his critics on this subject conveniently forget the admonition of Christ that it is dangerous to judge others.
About the so-called “mosque proposed for ground zero,” what actually the Muslims plan for is a community center with a basketball court, cooking school and prayer space for Muslims, Christians and Jews, to be located away and invisible from ground zero. There is a mosque already just four blocks from there.
Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf in charge of the property in question was abroad on a mission for the State Department when this issue arose. He has been working with the government to encourage counterterrorism in the Muslim world since first recruited by President Bush, who himself visited mosques (Obama has not) and had pleaded with the American people for religious tolerance.
JOHN BRATTON
Sewanee, Tenn.
Invest vote in Robertson
In the last four years, Susan Robertson has represented her community well as a member of the Signal Mountain Town Council.
In her service, Susan has done much of the heavy lifting by serving on numerous boards and commissions as the council’s representative and she founded the Tree Board. She has written nearly 200 editions of weekly “Council Notes” in the Community News to keep town citizens informed.
She has encouraged and led community meetings and promoted citizen involvement, led the redesign of our town website and has written numerous ordinances and resolutions. In addition, and perhaps most importantly, she has always been available to the residents of our community to listen and address their concerns.
Susan has worked tirelessly and successfully to ensure that we maintain the quality of life that we so enjoy on Signal Mountain. Let’s Invest our votes in an experienced candidate we can trust – please vote for Susan Robertson.
BILL LUSK
Signal Mountain
Elmore’s deeds won’t be forgotten
I was saddened to read of the passing of Robert Elmore. I knew him at the University of Chattanooga and worked with him when he was CEO for the Full Employment Commission in the late ’60s.
Bob was a fellow with a big smile and was always thinking of ways to promote Chattanooga.
It is amazing to read of all the community organizations that he belonged to and helped to organize throughout his life. His working agenda was always full, and his accomplishments shall not be forgotten.
“Godspeed,” Bob.
JOE CANNON
Hixson
Red Bank needs Pierce’s hard work
I have lived in Red Bank for over 30 years. I have watched as many small businesses closed their doors and little houses on Dayton Boulevard became run-down. Red Bank needed a “face lift.”
We who are now senior citizens needed a place to meet – to feel we were still a part of this community.
I have known Floy Pierce over 20 years. Floy has taken an active role in our community and government, serving as a commissioner for eight years.
Floy purchased and renovated those little houses creating two businesses, a beauty shop and a resale shop, one of which she made her residence. Dayton Boulevard was receiving a “face lift,” plus new businesses.
As a commissioner, Floy began working to establish a place for our senior citizens, using her yard for singings and fundraisers. For this, Floy has received much criticism instead of praise.
Floy has proven by her hard work and the fruits of her spirit to be an honest, fair and caring person.
Red Bank needs Floy Pierce. She is an example of what our nation was founded on, principles, truth and integrity. Please remember these principles and vote for Floy Pierce as commissioner of Red Bank
JANE GROOMS
Red Bank
Reinstate church listings, schedules
I’m very disappointed that the Times Free Press has chosen to discontinue the Saturday listing of area churches, schedules and sermon titles. That listing was not only helpful for persons looking for a church to attend, but that once-a-week information said to the community that the practice of religion and faith is a significant aspect of our life here.
We are truly a sports-loving area, and the newspaper gives us an entire sports section of several pages every day, and I admit that the first section I turn to daily is the sports section.
But religious life is also one of the most important components of life here. A large number of the newspaper’s most faithful readers are also persons whose spiritual life is a priority. Why not support that strong interest like we do our sports and entertainment?
Leaving out the church listings diminishes the place of religious practice among our citizens.
We could do the same with sports. Please consider reinstating the church listings, something that strengthens the appeal of the paper to a great number of subscribers.
J.N. HOWARD,
Pastor
Signal Mountain
United Methodist Church
Infomercial not necessary
I attended the Chattanooga Symphony concert on Friday night at the Tivoli. The concert was delightful. The 20-minute self-congratulatory infomercial which began the evening was not.
At 20 minutes after the hour, the concert began, and we entered into the world of Schumann’s noble “Rhenish” Symphony, and then it was off the races for Midori’s Tchaikovsky Concerto.
Don’t get me wrong – the CSO is an enormous civic asset. There are many remarkable players in the ensemble, some of them among the best in the Southeast on their instruments. Maestro Bernhardt always presides with assurance, a superb sense of pacing, and an infectious good humor.
But we really do go to the concert for the music and not for the cheerleading preamble.
PATRICIA O’CONNOR
Simple solution for Social Security
New rules for Social Security and Medicare: 100 percent Social Security at age 70, 50 percent Social Security at age 65, 100 percent Medicare at age 60 – paid by Social Security 100 percent.
In 1936, 50 percent of people paying into Social Security died at age 60 or before, but Social Security started at age 62.
In 2000, 5 percent of people paying into Social Security lived to be 76 or older. I am now 85 years old.
The above is real simple; this solves the Social Security problem.
JOSEPH WILEY
CARTER REID
Dalton, Ga.
Vote for Rardin, Robertson, Preston
There was a “get to know the candidates” meeting Oct. 10 for those running for the Signal Mountain Town Council. I was struck by a few things.
Only three of the candidates are regular participants at Town Council meetings. Susan Robertson is a present council member running for re-election. Jeremy Rardin served on the design and review committee, and Frank Preston has served for four years and now chairs the personnel committee.
These three were very familiar with the Land Use Plan. Susan Robertson helped draft this document. Two of the other three were not familiar with it.
Susan Robertson, Frank Preston and Jeremy Rardin insisted on smart growth on Signal Mountain, not growth at any cost. Rardin, who has children in school, said our school will be at capacity next year and was concerned about what to do with new students. Susan knows about the infrastructure in all aspects and especially about the road conditions and has grasp and experience with the traffic study that was done.
If one were to choose Town Council members with servants’ hearts, one has the proof exemplified in the lives and efforts of Susan Robertson, Jeremy Rardin and Frank Preston.
I encourage a vote for these three people.
BRENDA G. MONROE
Signal Mountain
Kyriakidis offers ways to aid nation
A great battle rages for the future of our country. What we need is a man who understands war and is willing to stand on principles and not compromise.
Savas Kyriakidis, candidate for Congress in the 3rd District, is the man.
He is a major and practicing lawyer in the 20th Special Forces (101st Airborne Division), a combat veteran of the Iraqi war, and businessman (owner and operator of the Acropolis Restaurant). He is not a politician looking for a job; rather, a patriot looking for a way to help our country by standing up to the bullies in Washington and representing the conservative views of those of us in East Tennessee. Please check his website www.sendSavas.com.
E. CHARLES HYDER