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Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2009

Viewpoints for Tuesday, Oct. 20

Sanders for governor

Because our state government in Atlanta is almost broke, my county property taxes went up $200. The annual state subsidy to my county government could not be given.

But I think Houston County Commission Chairman Ned Sanders does such an excellent job that he should run for governor or mayor of Warner Robins.

Under Sander’s leadership, we shall soon have a new county library in Centerville, costing $3.2 million. The state will contribute $2 million and local SPLOST funds will pay most of the remainder.

Our county schools received almost $7 million in federal stimulus funds to prevent teacher layoffs. Houston County schools are known for their academic excellence. Parents actually move here so their children can attend our excellent public schools.

Our county government provides excellent services to all our citizens. We don’t appear to have any of the numerous problems of our neighboring governments. The overpowering presence of Robins Air Force Base distorts any meaningful comparison. My city property taxes usually go down annually.

I believe Sanders would not want to be our mayor — a demotion — but he would make a great Republican governor.

— Frank Gadbois

Warner Robins

Misusing the Bible

One of the things the political left has accused the Christian right/religious right of doing is misquoting the Bible for their own purposes, but it seems as if the left has little problem doing the same thing. One example is the recent letter by Lindsay Holliday of Macon.

Holliday used the parable of the Good Samaritan as scripture to argue why Christians should support the public option in President Obama’s health-care plan.

What he and others have yet to produce are any words from Jesus saying that government should force anyone to spend their money on someone else for anything. Taking someone’s money by force (be it a robber or government program) and giving it to someone else, regardless of the reason, is not charity. It’s theft.

Another thought: If the left so stridently believes in “the separation of church and state,” how can any of them justify using the Bible to argue for public policy?

— Dave Whitaker

Danville

Dumb pills

Perhaps the purchase of stock in one of the dumb pill drug companies would be a good investment at this time. Dumb pills are not listed in the Merck drug manual or found on the Internet, but as sure as Virginia believed Santa Clause lives, somewhere there is a CEO and board of directors producing this product.

It stands to reason, because anytime there is a need for a product, some young entrepreneur will take up the challenge and become rich. Henry Ford answered a call for better transportation, Ray Kroc did the same by selling busy people burgers and fries, and Bill Gates is a legend because of Microsoft. Surely a Yale or Harvard MBA has seen the need for dumb pills and now has a factory with a board of directors somewhere.

More people are demanding dumb pills because there is no other way to explain some of the decisions being made. A Troy, N.Y., school superintendent last week suspended a 17-year-old Eagle Scout with a pending appointment to West Point for 20 days because a pen knife was found in a camping kit locked in the trunk of his automobile. Recently In Georgia, a judge ordered a 17-year-old female to register as a habitual sex offender for having consensual sex with a man one year younger than she.

There have been reports in the news of a man offering to sell a parked automobile to a passing police officer, only to learn the officer already owned the vehicle. A wanna-be burglar became stuck in a chimney flue trying to enter a business, and two amateur safe-crackers spent several hours beating on a security safe only to learn later that it was unlocked and empty.

Is there any possible way rational people could do such things without taking dumb pills on a regular basis? If not, it is easy to see the commercial value of such a product, and the investment potential.

Maybe I will explore the possibility with my stock broker, if he ever returns from Thailand.

— John G. Kelley Jr.

Macon

When will it end?

It is more than just health care that makes me angry. It is the uncontrolled spending in Washington. Health care is just the latest issue.

Let’s look at some of the taxes I already pay: federal income, state income, Social Security income, Medicare, phone fees, gas, sales, property, alcohol, tobacco and auto.

These taxes are providing for unemployed compensation, Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, welfare, food stamps, WIC, government-subsidized housing, electric scooters, free or reduced school lunch and breakfast, indigent health care, earned income credit, cash for clunkers, bank bailouts, auto maker bailouts, energy efficiency rebates, home buyer rebates and more.

I also give to charities, such as the Muscular Dystrophy Association, American Heart Association and volunteer firefighters.

After I and others like me provide for all these programs with our tax dollars, we now have Washington asking us to provide for another service and then having the audacity of telling us we need to save more for our retirement days. With what? When will it end?

Not all, but many of those who do not have health-care insurance say they cannot afford it and are screaming for a government-run health-care system. They do so while talking on their cell phones, driving gas-guzzling SUVs, watching cable TV, surfing the Internet, listening to satellite radio, eating out instead of at home, smoking, drinking, buying junk food and playing video games on expensive gaming systems.

When I protest, rather than defending the issue, they personally attack me and others like me. Do they feel that their position is so weak that rather than defending the issue they have to resort to personal attacks?

Since Obama has taken office, I have been called a racist (Jimmy Carter), a Nazi (Nancy Pelosi) and a threat to national security (Homeland Security).

The Constitution states to promote — not provide — for the general welfare. Unfortunately, my paycheck cannot afford any additional burdens.

— Michael C. Monteau

Warner Robins

Prayer for Monday, Oct. 20

Father, forgive our lack of faith in you. Give us faith that can move a mountain when we fully put our trust in you. Thank you for hearing our prayers. Amen.

— Submitted by Alice M. Pritchett

Hawkinsville