Corporations are nation's backbone
Corporations are not the enemy as the Times editor (Aug. 13) would have you believe. They are legal entities made up of people, shareholders and employees. They allow individuals to pool their assets to increase the effective use of them. They, more than any entity, have created the wealth that has given the United States the most affluent society in the history of civilization. Today we have an abundance of food and other material goods unimaginable 100 years ago; we have medicines and medical devices to improve our life span and quality of life provided by the great corporations of America.
In Chattanooga, they have provided good jobs for thousands of citizens that enabled us to buy homes and automobiles and send our children to college. They have provided pensions for us as well as many in the public sector whose funds are invested in corporate stocks and bonds.
Most corporations, besides providing jobs, are good citizens who support charities, schools and the arts. Chattanooga would not have a dynamic riverfront development, a world class symphony, a Ronald McDonald House or a robust United Way without corporate support. Without them we would be a much poorer community.
ROBERT REID
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Don't count on a recovery
Get used to the poor economy and high unemployment.
Industry producing goods for sale is the backbone of any nation's economy.
For many years, we maintained a healthy trade balance as far as importing and exporting products.
First there was Japan, which is the size of Montana and has 127 million people. Next came Taiwan, which is the size of Indiana and has 23 million people. Then came South Korea, which is the size of Kentucky and has 50 million people.
Due to size and population restrictions, all of their production capability was limited.
Then came China: Land mass only slightly smaller than the U.S. and 1.3 billion people willing to work for 50 cents an hour. In 1959, industry jobs in the U.S. accounted for 28 percent of all jobs. Now, that figure has been reduced to 10 percent and continues to fall. The numbers don't lie -- there will be no recovery.
JOE KIRKPATRICK, Cleveland, Tenn.
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GOP love of money is bringing evils
The political culture has changed dramatically in recent years, culminating in an extreme right-wing, tea party faction, which controls the Republican Party. We found out how dangerous they are during the debt ceiling debate. They are loony!
Republicans are trying to invalidate everything Obama has accomplished; most important, health care reform and safeguards against Wall Street.
They don't care about suffering Americans who are unemployed. They say letting the tax cuts to the rich expire, an idea they once supported, is raising taxes. Nonsense! They don't see recipients on Social Security not getting a COLA as a tax increase. Such hypocrisy!
Republicans argue that the corporate tax rate should be lowered; that it is the largest in the world. Not so! The "effective corporate tax rate" which is what they actually pay is the lowest, because of all the tax loopholes they get. The upper 1 percent of Americans got 24 percent of the income in 2010, but they want more. The last time it was that high was in 1928.
"The love of money is the root of all evil." Their love of money is bringing about evils to the most helpless among us: the defenseless poor. Where is the justice?
WILBOURNE C. MARKHAM SR., Walden, Tenn.
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'Bean counters' hurt Medicare patients
When ObamaCare was being debated, Nancy Pelosi told her minions in the House of Representatives: "You have to vote for it, to find out what's in it."
They passed it, and sure enough, we're finding out, piece by piece.
IPAD stands for Independent Payment Advisory Board. This group will have 15 Obama administration- appointed members, of which most will not be medical practitioners. They will not be accountable to Congress.
The task of the board will be to determine what doctors treating Medicare patients can be paid, what they can be paid for, and driving costs down.
While we all applaud efficiency, and eliminating waste, this group of "bean counters" has the potential to drive a multitude of doctors away from treating Medicare patients, creating severe shortages.
The board doesn't kick in until Jan. 1, 2012, after the election. Nice timing, isn't it.
THOMAS NEIL CURRY, Rossville, Ga.
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Maybe Obama shouldn't run
I think it is time for President Obama to consider not running for president in 2012.
I voted for President Obama in 2008, and I think he is doing a great job with the situation he mostly inherited from President Bush. I have no doubt whatsoever that Obama is doing what he thinks is best for the country at all times.
However, from day one, President Obama has been pushing against a concrete wall in trying to do his job.
I thought the U.S.A. was ready for a black president but now I'm not so sure. Whatever the reason, President Obama has polarized the nation to where nothing can get done in Washington.
Personally I think it's his race. He is turned away at every move from both sides. Something has to be done now or the U.S.A. will continue to decline for four more years.
President Obama, please consider not running for president in 2012. I feel like it's the U.S.A.'s only hope to get back on the right track. I don't have a clue who would do a better job, but something needs to be done. (I'm a white male, 61 years old.)
PAT HAGAN
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Older Americans take the brunt
In our country it seems like older Americans are really hated.
We get fired for being too old.
We can't get Social Security because we are too young, and we are blamed for the way the Social Security Administration can't keep a balanced budget because the government keeps taking money out of the account that countless Americans have already contributed to.
What is next for older Americans?
What will it be for us, concentration camps because we are too old?
When are we going to make it a real law about age discrimination?
I am really tired of hearing about Social Security and the baby boomers. The government already knew how many people were born and how much money would have to be paid out in Social Security.
These corporate big wigs who fire older Americans forget that some day they are going to be old. and I hope they get the same treatment that they give everybody else. Fired.
Capitalism forces people to be too greedy. More money, more corruption and more people without jobs is what happens.
Don't blame Obama for this recession as it started many years ago.
PENNY FURMAN, Cleveland, Tenn.
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Can tobacco firms 'roll their own'?
So now they will show you photographs of cancer wards on cigarettes.
Big deal.
Why not force the company to "roll their own."
PHILLIP E. BAYSTON
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Perry apparently above the warming
I guess (Texas Gov.) Rick Perry will not read or believe the articles written about global warming. Maybe he has enough money to put his supporters in bubbles and not be affected by what is happening in Alaska. I guess they will all have the jobs he is promising taking care of the rest of us. Talking about being in a bubble, Rick Perry seems to be there, above all the warming.
CATHERINE OWENS