This is Viewpoints for Monday, June 27, 2016

Where is Linda Cicero?

I am sure the new columnist, Linda Gassenheimer is loved somewhere (maybe in Yankee-land), but I want Cicero back! Her food column jumped all over the map and included more different kinds of dishes than you could shake a spoon at. I have collected many of her recipes and they are great — never had one to fail and I am no cook.

Why “fix something that ain’t broke,” or whatever that saying is. I plead for the return of Linda Cicero!

Linda Cicero no longer a writer for the Miami Herald, a McClatchy newspaper.

Citizenship not enough

“Hagar the Horrible” cartoon in The Telegraph’s June 22 edition is a perfect example of art imitating life. Hagar asks a green clad archer, “Who are you?” The man replies, “Robin Hood. I take from the rich and give to the poor.” Hagar then asks, “What does that get you?” Reply: “Elected … if I go into politics.” That’s the formula for success these days as a politician.

A wise man wrote this 400 years ago: Democracy cannot exist as a permanent form of government. Eventually, a majority of voters will discover that they can live at the expense of others by voting for politicians who promise that. The inevitable result is unsustainable fiscal policy, leading to runaway inflation, shortage of necessities, and failure of government due to fiscal irresponsibility, followed by the election of a dictator who promises to fix all that if given unlimited power. Like Hitler, for example, who was elected exactly so. There are many other examples, past and present, take Venezuela, now in the news for its economic woes. No food, no gas, no electricity, and a socialist government that cannot cope.

My own personal solution: in order to qualify to vote, a citizen must have contributed a positive monetary amount in taxes. There would be exceptions, of course, for persons who are disabled and cannot earn a taxable income through no fault of their own. In other words, if one does not contribute to the federal budget, they should have no say-so in how it is spent. I’d also like to see a test to determine a voter’s minimum standard of knowledge about how our government really works, along with economics.

Is the cry still valid?

In America’s history, the First and Second Amendments have been challenged. Never challenged as they are today. However, never have they been in more danger than at this time in America. If not for those two amendments America would have been a dictatorship or chopped up by invading nations years ago. If this election goes to Hillary Clinton (third term extension of President Obama) then they will disappear. There will still be those in America who will not accept that decision. The blood spilled in the American Civil War will only represent a cupful with the result of attempts by the “New World Order” to pick up and destroy individual weapons. The 240th anniversary of Declaration of Independence will be celebrated this July. Is the cry still, “give me liberty or give me death”?

They work for us

Do you ever wonder where that federal chunk-o-change taken out of your paycheck goes? Well, a percentage of it goes to pay congressional salaries that range from $174,000 to $223,000 per year. Pretty sweet, huh? But it gets better. Perks include a colossal on-site gym, nondisclosure of insider trading, $59,000 annual pension after 20 years, free flights, $1 million to $3-plus million for travel and office expenses, health care and, get this, up to 239 days off every year. Sign me up.

Now, if your employer was that generous, you’d want to do the best darn job possible to make your boss happy, right? Well, over 90 percent of us, Republicans and Democrats, who provide the lucrative salaries and perks for these rogue employees, favor background checks for gun purchases and we also want to bar terrorism suspects from purchasing guns. Who doesn’t? It seems that the Republican majority have sided with the 9 percent who want to allow home-grown terrorists to purchase hand guns and rifles of mass destruction — against the will of the people. It’s past time to put our employees on notice. Get involved. Contact information and response letters are easily found on line. Make our employees earn their pay.

Water, water everywhere?

We’ve all heard that said, but I’ve learned a lot about water in my travels. All water is not the same. Several years ago Macon’s water was judged to be the best tasting in the country. I’d bet that’s still true today and by a long shot. That’s a big deal.

I’ve also learned about the difference between hard and soft water. I’ve seen water so soft that I couldn’t rinse the soap off after showering. That also means soap doesn’t rinse out of laundry, and that creates problems. I’ve seen water so hard and corrosive that it would eat the finish off a fiberglass boat if the owners didn’t clean and neutralize the boat when they brought it out of the water. I’m not a scientist, but I think Macon’s water is just right on this scale.

Furthermore, our water supply is far more plentiful than most areas. We don’t really have to worry too much about droughts because of the river and our reservoir. That’s nice for all of us and is a great economic asset as well. So let’s all raise a glass and count our blessings.

Burden

The Supreme Court just rendered its decision on applicants at the University of Texas, upholding racial quotas in America. Minority citizens across the country should be livid. Forever, after now, they will very likely be mindful of this decision and be forced to wonder because of the high court whether their success is based on capability or merely race. What a terrible burden the supremes have levied upon them.

This story was originally published June 26, 2016 at 9:00 PM with the headline "This is Viewpoints for Monday, June 27, 2016."