New programs aren't socialism
Propaganda extremists have persuaded too many that the current administration's program is socialist. Socialism requires federal ownership of the basic means of production and distribution. Neither this administration nor any office holder of either party favors government takeover of our industry.
For those who claim that Social Security, Medicaid and Medicare are socialist, where is the hue and cry for their repeal? Health care falls in this same category, with government and citizen participation for the benefit of all, legislation designed to protect citizens from malpractice and to allow those denied insurance an opportunity to secure protection for themselves and their families.
Bush's tax relief for the richest had no impact on job creation when this country was losing nearly 800,000 jobs a month in his administration, is having no effect now and never will. Yet this issue is being used to block legislation. Republican leadership rebuffed the president's invitation to meet, choosing instead to attend a partisan political event.
Most recently Sen. Jon Kyle may place the entire planet in suspense by holding the New START treaty hostage in the Senate, supported unanimously by America's military leadership, every past Republican secretary of state and defense and state officials of both parties.
In all of these situations, power politics has been placed ahead of country.
JOHN BRATTON
Sewanee, Tenn.
Editorial cartoon brings shame
My family has subscribed to the Chattanooga Times forever; in fact my father delivered the Chattanooga News before Roy McDonald bought it in 1939. I've never written a letter to the editor before, but as a retired veteran, I find the editorial cartoon in the Dec. 1 issue, to be deeply offensive to all non-gay military men and women.
You present two U.S. Army soldiers, one a squared away troop standing at parade rest labeled "Gays" and the other one out of uniform with one boot unlaced, the other in disrepair, one pant leg unbloused, uneven gig line, hair out of standards, as well as being snuggle tooth (we do have military dentists, you know). This soldier is depicted as referring to the other and saying "It's either him or me." To add insult to injury, this unkept solider is labeled "Bigots" and therefore unfairly depicts the majority of men and women in uniform as being in this category.
The vast majority of personnel I served with had no problem with this issue. It's also important to remember that soldiers follow orders, and a majority of the time these orders originate with people who do not wear uniforms.
I am ashamed of my newspaper.
BILL NEIGHBORS JR.
Soddy-Daisy