Balance of power important for U.S.
President Trump is calling the midterm elections a "success," despite the fact Republicans lost control of the House. I feel the results were a success not for Democrats and Republicans but for the American people. It is important we keep the power of both parties in check. What makes our country function effectively is a balance of power. It is important both parties work together for the greater good. In the end, it is about the American people winning, not politicians.
When there is bipartisanship, more legislation is passed. When there is too much power on one side or the other, there tends to be more disagreement. Legislation can take longer to be passed. When more legislation is passed, the people benefit and their voice is heard. There should be a balance between the executive, legislative and judicial branches so they can work together to push legislation the majority of Americans can agree on.
It is important our country does not give too much power to the executive branch. This throws everything off balance. Then it is not the people making the decisions. This would be a danger to our democracy. Balance of power is imperative.
Michael Mallory, Ooltewah
'Nutcracker' to add CSO to 2019 show
On behalf of the Chattanooga Ballet, I want to thank Jonathan Cole for his letter to the editor last Sunday about the wonderful, professional musicians at the Chattanooga Symphony & Opera, and how live music at the ballet's performance of Tchaikovsky's "The Nutcracker" creates a rich, memorable and educational experience. We wholeheartedly agree.
In that spirit, the Symphony & Opera and the Chattanooga Ballet recently announced the formation of a formal arts partnership. While the CSO will not be a part of this year's ballet performances of "The Nutcracker" at the Tivoli Theatre, the partnership ensures the return of the live orchestra to the production and an anticipated expansion in the number of shows in 2019.
Ballet Artistic Director Andrew Parker has once again raised the bar for 2018's performances. This includes the installation of new choreography, re-imagining the key role of Herr Drosselmeyer and recruiting nationally recognized guest artist Ricardo Rhodes to dance the Sugar Plum/Cavalier, ensuring that the Chattanooga Ballet's "The Nutcracker" will remain the arts event of Chattanooga's holiday season.
Meg Kramer, board president, Chattanooga Ballet
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Single-payer plan makes more sense
Professor J.D. Silver's health care commentary Nov. 10 got it right: There is a distinct difference between quality and access, and the issue is complex.
My recent experience illustrates it:
I went to a local emergency room, received good treatment and was released. The service was reasonably prompt, including an MRI, an anti-inflammatory drug and prescriptions.
Soon a bill for $868 arrived - rather steep but reasonable. I noticed I was listed "uninsured." After time on hold (with a third-party that surely received some fee), this was resolved. A revised statement arrived. The charges were now $6,183.17, with just a $200 co-pay!
Simple math reveals a mystery $5,300 for the same services. What should the true cost have been? Who is stuck with those costs? Common sense says my insurer; in a system that causes the rest of the Western world to scratch its head, who really knows? Insurance companies make money, so isn't this reflected in premiums?
Yet the administration and its PAC- and lobby-funded lackeys harp on unfairness of a single-payer system. What does the rest of the world understand that we refuse to believe?
Ed Smith, Red Bank
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Faithful must pick a side
Trump is a joke, and by proxy, is making us as Americans an international joke. Not a bad joke or a dirty joke, but the most vulgar, the ugliest joke our drunk uncle could ever repeat at our family reunion. He has given license to our basest thoughts and desires, that lust, greed and coveting are human entitlements.
If you're willing to trade your soul for the gains Trump has somehow made for so-called Evangelical Christianity by supporting him, I honestly believe you're gambling dangerously with your eternity. But maybe that's why God gave us free will, and on that day will separate wheat from chaff. Be sure, our Bible says, "your sins will find you out."
Too, another verse says "... the wages of sin is death ... ." You cannot serve two masters, you'll love one and despise the other.
If you support the Republican love of money, according to 1st Timothy, 6:10, you support "the root of all evil."
Do you support the Republican lust and love for money, or do you claim to love the Lord? You cannot straddle the fence on this issue. Eternity depends on your decision. I've made mine.
Allan Baggett, Trion, Ga.
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Rep. Fleischmann, pass carbon plan
Hope springs eternal, as the saying goes. The excellent Oct. 28 Chattanooga Times editorial about climate change not only forces us to look squarely in the face of the future of our climate, it also holds out hope for the positive impact we can make if we take action now.
A carbon fee and dividend is a market-driven approach which can have immediate effect. We need our Congress to pass it - not maybe, not sometime, but right now. This plan places a fee on carbon fuels at their source, which will incentivize the use of carbon-free energy sources. The fees, rather than going into a big government tax pot, instead go directly back to U.S. households as a dividend.
This concept has broad-based and bipartisan support in Congress, but it doesn't yet have the support of our Tennessee delegation. I urge Rep. Fleischmann to support a carbon fee and dividend as part of the climate change solution.
We must acknowledge the looming crisis we've created for ourselves so that we can face it down. We as Americans can do this but only if we act quickly and with courage. I have hope.
Barbara Kelly
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Trump reaches new low in fire tweet
Just when you think President Trump has tweeted his most ignorant message, he tweets one that's ignorant, stupid and void of human sensitivity. His tweet about wildfires in California meets the test. The fire in Paradise, California, was catastrophic! To suggest these fires were caused by a lack of water and federal regulations makes my case. What gall, making this horrific tragedy political.
The people of Paradise, a town of 26,000, lost everything: homes, belongings, fire hall, hospitals, nursing home, playgrounds, schools, churches, infrastructure. All destroyed. Their beautiful town is gone; they have no town to go back to. Further, the death toll exceeds all California fires in recent memory; maybe in history. I have been there to visit my sister. She lost every thing so I take it personally.
Republicans say the last election was a flow not a wave. So be it, but the pendulum swings, and it started with this election. Trump will no longer get a free ride. Democrats will rein in his destructive behavior; Republicans chose otherwise.
Our nation and the world can't endure this dangerous, ignorant president any longer.
Wilbourne C. Markham, Signal Mountain