Current generation needs to step up

LETTERS TO THE EDITORS

Current generation needs to step up

The cost of WW II was in both human lives and dollars. The human toll for the states was about 300,000 lives, but our dollar cost approached $5 trillion in today's economy.

My two brothers and I were among the lucky ones to return. The price in human life and dollars already has been paid, but I would like to note how we paid for the war.

The Victory Budget of 1942 called for tremendous tax hikes and went as high as 93 percent on the very rich. We weren't a consumer society. We used our savings to buy War Bonds. We took sacrifice in stride; stood in long lines for gasoline rations, and shared. Today, sacrifice is a bad word. In Washington, no one seems to try to work things out together; give a little, compromise, close ranks and get the job done. We fear taxes are a bad thing and that all should pay the same. Proportional tax, to income, isn't a drag on the economy but a way to draw down our national debt. It didn't hurt job creation under the Clinton administration and we had a surplus.

Now we have two unpaid wars and it's time we dug in. I grew up during the Great Depression, fought in two wars, paid my first Social Security in 1939, practiced 61 years and retired at 85. I am not complaining, but it's time the present generation stepped up to the plate.

FRANK A. GREEN, D.D.S.

Chickamauga, Ga.

Falsehoods need correcting

We appreciate your appropriate "Editor's Note" (Jan. 6), such as correcting the falsehoods as to how payroll tax cuts are mainly covered through a tax on real estate transactions. And as you further stated: Democrats proposed financing a year-long payroll tax extension with a surtax on annual income above $1 million, which Republicans rejected.

However, where was the needed "Editor's Note" concerning another letter that same day which was totally packed with falsehoods about photo IDs? That letter falsely stated that we had needed a photo ID to vote prior to 2012. Also, the same letter stated that photo IDs are required to drive a vehicle (not so for elderly people), apply for jobs, write checks, conduct bank transactions, etc., even that school kids need photo IDs. And that it doesn't present a financial burden to get a photo ID. How about those needing to travel 80 miles round-trip to get to an authorized location (another letter describing that burden), not to mention the time pressures, etc.?

How much state money is being wasted on this unconstitutional law, just to cover the made-up scare of "voter fraud"? Guess teachers, police, firemen, and all of us will be paying.

ANN BENTON

Signal Mountain

Name-calling not necessary

I read a letter in the Jan. 9 edition that made me very sad. The writer called Republicans "the Repugnants" because he doesn't agree with drug testing welfare recipients.

Many of my friends are Republicans and they are kind, generous people. How have we become such an uncivil nation that someone would refer to people he doesn't even know as repugnant?

In addition, he said they are "very evil people who hate our country." I think we should stop calling each other names and agree that, in this country, we are all free to have our own opinion.

Through working with the public for over 30 years, I have known many addicts and alcoholics; and I can assure you that much of the money they receive in welfare is spent on drugs, alcohol and tobacco -- not on their children. I don't have a problem with drug testing people who want to receive taxpayers' money. Does that make me repugnant or evil?

I don't think so. It's just my opinion, and I am entitled to it. I don't think it makes him a "Demonocrat" because I disagree with him. He's probably a nice man.

JOY STURTEVANT

Monteagle, Tenn.

Pick local applicant for Red Bank

It is hard to remain silent about what the Red Bank commissioners are doing. I agreed with the removal of the last city manager, Chris Dorsey. However, I do not understand why they offered the city manager's position to an outsider when there were four local candidates who are apparently qualified to be considered.

It is a great loss to the citizens of Red Bank, who will not benefit from the experience of Mr. Jim Folkner to provide positive leadership for our city. Mr. Folkner withdrew from consideration last week.

There are still three local candidates available, who were singled out from 39 applicants and became the top five candidates list. I believe the commissioners should be selecting from those three remaining applicants. The commissioners should not reopen for other applicants to apply. There is no reason to relook at the eliminated applicants from the original 39 applicants.

Unless there is specific justification to undo the established process, the commissioners should be held accountable and the citizens should demand that they stop their political wrangling and decide from the three remaining candidates. You can contact the Red Bank City Hall and leave a message at 423-877-1103 or ask how to contact each commissioner separately.

RICK CAUSER

Red Bank

Offer alternatives to combat gangs

Tuesday's "The roots of Chattanooga's rising gang violence problem" (Times editorial, Jan. 10) cites after-school programs as one part of a community solution to help reduce gang violence. In the eight years I've been working with after-school kids at the Urban League in Chattanooga, I've seen plenty of evidence of just how valuable after-school programs are first-hand.

Each day at the Urban League's nine after-school and summer-learning sites, we provide constructive activities for young people, like science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), reading and math tutoring, workshops on financial aid, field trips to local farms, and opportunities to job shadow at companies like EPB and AT&T. On the weekends we help keep older youth engaged and off the streets with a program that teaches digital literacy and another that teaches leadership development and early college and career awareness.

The Urban League serves more than 800 young people each year. Our after-school program staff of more than 50 caring adults works to give youngsters from some of the most underserved neighborhoods in Chattanooga a positive and safe place to go after the school day ends -- a worthwhile, educational and constructive alternative to joining a gang.

I know the mayor's new advisers on gang violence will keep in mind the important role after-school, weekend and summer programs play in keeping kids safe and giving them enriching opportunities they wouldn't otherwise experience.

JAMES McKISSIC

Chief Operating Officer,

Urban League of Greater Chattanooga

Bennett good but too liberal for area

There is no doubt in my mind that Clay Bennett can draw good cartoons.

I was on vacation last November and one of his cartoons appeared in the St. Petersburg newspaper drawn by Clay.

The only trouble I have with Mr. Bennett's is that he is ultra liberal for this state and city. Why doesn't he follow the bipartisan views of your readers and we would all love him and respect him as a great artist.

Pass these words of wisdom to him for his future cartoons.

BILL HAMMER

Harrison

Seniors get a raw deal

I think by now everyone read the story about former Sen. Rick Santorum wanting to cut our Social Security and Medicare.

What do these presidential candidates think we are? There's no reason to up the age. Do they expect us to work till we drop dead? We deserve the money we paid into Social Security. We lived in hard times in the '50s and '60s. Our pay wasn't that great.

There's a lot of thinking who we vote for. Obama got the worst mess of any when he was elected. He's trying and did some good, but everyone is against him and won't vote for what he wants. Of everyone, us seniors got the raw deal. Nothing comes our way.

SHIRLEY NEWHARD

Ooltewah

Upcoming Events