WWTA continues to disregard the will of the people of Hamilton County and the democratically elected commissioners who recently rejected the proposed property on Mahan Gap for a new sewer treatment plant.
As an American veteran who values our democratic processes and who has served to preserve them, this is a matter of grave concern. Taking out full-page ads in the Times Free Press shows utter contempt and disregard for our democracy. When agencies like the WWTA refuse the will of the people, that’s bad government at its worst and needs to be dissolved.
WWTA’s lack of accountability and respect of our democratic process is just one of the many things that needs to be addressed.
Hal Abegg
Ooltewah
Lamar Alexander rational on wall
The shutdown caused by Trump’s promised wall along the Mexican border (paid for by Mexico) is finally over. It was a promise only a dunce believed. A bipartisan agreement worked out with Vice President Pence to avoid a shutdown was accepted by Trump and then nixed when Rush Limbaugh and Ann Coulter got involved. Sadly, Rush and Ann have more influence with our president than does Pence. The shutdown was over as soon as the rich began having trouble flying into New York.
Nancy Pelosi demonstrated our founders’ desires when she stood up to Trump. The constitution established three co-equal branches of government. Pelosi is exactly what the nation desperately needs. Article 1 of the Constitution established a Congress and gave it power over the purse. Not Article 2! The founders were more afraid of executives than representatives. They wanted no king. Those men in Philadelphia were brilliant.
Our government runs better when it compromises. Sen. Lamar Alexander said “the government never should have been shut down.” And “we should have physical barriers where appropriate.” Right. Not some expensive, ineffective, 2,000-mile wall. Alexander, at the moment, sounds rational.
Wilbourne C. Markham Sr.
Signal Mountain
Lay the shutdown blame on Congress
Now that the government shutdown is over, perhaps the truth can be told as to who was really responsible: Congress. Section 7 of Article I of the Constitution of the United States says, “All bills for raising Revenue shall originate in the House of Representatives; but the Senate may propose or concur with Amendments as on other Bills.”
The federal fiscal year starts Oct. 1. Congress begins developing funding bills for the government the previous April; thus, it has six months to do one of the most important parts of the job it was elected to do. Yet, it has become common practice for Congress to fail to do so; then the blame game starts.
Our country deserves better; if this Congress cannot provide it, perhaps 2020 will be elected to do the job – to operate under the auspices of the Constitution members swear to protect.
Thomas M. Egleston
Dunlap
Electoral College needs evaluating
To the writer of Monday’s letter who stated, “Voters, not God, elected Donald Trump,” I am sorry to correct you, sir, but voters did not elect Donald Trump. He lost the popular election. The Electoral College elected Donald Trump. It’s a good example of why our nation needs to evaluate the validity of that institution.
Sheri Glass