This is Viewpoints for Sunday, March 13, 2016
Completely ashamed
With all the talk about the coming presidential "mud slinging" election, I just want to say that I have lost all confidence in the people of this country to elect a president that can actually run this country, based on serving the people of this nation. However, the absolute stupidity of the people voting, as once again they put a man in office that completely circumvents the Constitution of our once great nation and uses his power, as president, to promote his own agenda, Constitution be damned.
Now the choices seem to be between a proven criminal, who passed along top secret information to enemies of our country and should be behind bars, but instead she may be elected. As for the other candidate on the Republican side, he is insane and will surely cause even more trouble for the U.S.A. I am considering not ever voting again because it doesn't matter how I vote, as an independent, as we will get just what we deserve in either one of them. At this point, I am completely ashamed of the voters in this country.
— Sam Ryan
Warner Robins
No tax money for businesses
It has been suggested that blight funds be used to help pave the way for the purchase of Alexander IV for use as a senior living center (bad idea for the area) or a charter school. The idea of the commission to obligate tax dollars for either is a terrible precedent. The BOE hired someone to handle the three vacant buildings and four vacant lots. If a charter school wants to buy the property, they, not anyone else should take the first step. That is still a great area and warrants a respectable business.
The very idea of commingling blight funds with other funds is outrageous. The state probation and sheriff's office locating into the old Sears building is not blight related. This funding truly is earmarked for blight or just another sham by our leadership. All of the taxpayers respect Historic Macon, but the current plan to expand the sales tax to 8 percent should pay for those types of expenses.
Why should one penny go toward benefiting anyone entering into any business!?
— Joe Hubbard
Macon
There is no commingling of blight funds with other funds. It's a transfer of bond funds earmarked for construction of an East Macon fire station to the sheriff annex. Additionally, there are no plans to increase the sales tax to 8 percent.
— Editors
Patriot in the family?
Did your great-grandfather fight in Revolutionary War? The fact is, most people have no idea if any of their relatives fought in the Revolutionary War. But that's not unusual since that war occurred over 200 years ago. But the truth is, most U.S. citizens have one or more Revolutionary War ancestors in their backgrounds just waiting to be discovered.
Popular TV shows like "Who Do You Think You Are" and "Finding Your Roots" entertain us with celebrities who, with the help of professional genealogists, discover the remarkable truth about their individual family histories. However, your own personal family history is probably no less remarkable and interesting.
Most people don't have the knowledge or training to conduct family background research, but that's where Sons of the American Revolution or Daughters of the American Revolution can be of great help. Once you uncover your fascinating family history, it will be something you'll be able to share with all your relatives and potentially join these fine organizations.
Your relatives will be both amazed and appreciative for your efforts to build a living family legacy that can be passed down to future generations. To start you own journey of discovery, go to: www. gassar.org or dar.org, to locate your nearest SAR or DAR chapter and contact information. If you have a question, you may can call me at 478-953-9320. Let us help you discover your Revolutionary War patriot ancestor.
— John Trussell
President, Ocmulgee SAR Chapter
Macon
Only three
I have noticed in many letters that people mention so and so having a security clearance greater than top secret. There are three levels of classification: confidential, secret and top secret. That's it. There are, however, endorsements to those clearances, such as SIOP ESI, various communication types, etc. In other words it boils down to a "need to know." But still there are only thee levels of classification.
— James A. Graf Sr.
Warner Robins
Freebies?
Many thanks to Walter Williams' column "What is the fair share of taxes?" If his tax statistics are correct, all I can say, I pay far more than my fair share of taxes and I am an old widower with a small dependable monthly check. I do admit I was absolutely astonished that 45 percent of American households have no federal income tax liability. No wonder U.S. taxpaying citizens are hollering for change.
To tell the truth, I am wondering why we have so many illegals working in the U.S. and so many Americans households not paying any income tax. Are they all living on 100 percent charity of the taxpayers?
With his statistics and knowing one has to own property in order to pay property and school tax at the local level, plus state and federal tax, they are indeed receiving a free public education with all the other freebies.
— Faye W. Tanner
Macon
There is also the possibility that a person is one of the working poor who makes under the income threshold to owe federal taxes. For a single person under 65, that amount is $9,350.
— Editors
This story was originally published March 12, 2016 at 7:55 PM with the headline "This is Viewpoints for Sunday, March 13, 2016 ."