Corker lackey for big money - and more letters to the editors

Corker lackey for big money

Bob Corker is a master prevaricator. In his letter to the Times, he misrepresents himself as one who cares about the well-being of Tennessee workers.

Nothing is farther from the truth. He has shown with words and actions that he is a handmaiden to the rich and to big corporate interests.

He has consistently sided with the greed mongers in the Club for Growth and the billionaire plutocrats, the Koch brothers, over the interests of average Tennesseans.

Recently, he and his fellow sycophant, Lamar Alexander, voted to block a constitutional amendment to stop the super rich from funneling obscene amounts of cash into our elections.

Soon in America we can skip elections and just sell our elected officials to the highest bidder. We are not too far from that system now.

I challenge the senator to tell us how many times he has voted for bills that favor the rich versus how many times he has voted to increase the minimum wage.

Don't pretend you're a populist when the reality is that you are a lackey for big money.

TERRY STULCE, Ooltewah


Broadband story short on balance

I'm disappointed but not surprised you published word-for-word an article by a Washington interest group opposed to a municipal broadband law here at home.

The organization that wrote the article, The Center for Public Integrity, routinely supports bigger government and told just one side of the story.

The article didn't acknowledge many municipal broadband networks have failed, leaving taxpayers to pay off millions in debt even after service is cut off.

The article didn't say municipal broadband networks spend heavily on lobbying, including to support a plan to raise - to the highest level in the nation - the fees private telecommunications companies pay to provide Internet service.

It also didn't point out city networks get huge subsidies private providers don't get and these favors make cities less attractive in private broadband investment, a problem that harms our economy and its consumers.

In 1999 our legislators passed a law to protect us from these burdens. The law doesn't prevent municipal broadband networks from being built, but ensures they're built thoughtfully and carefully so we're not harmed.

I don't expect a Washington interest group to understand that, but your readers deserve to hear the other side of the story.

MARK WEST


Don't mix up faith and terror front

Let's just be honest. One is a religion and the other is a religious front for terrorism. You decide.

One captures little girls and sells them as slaves to older men who already have two or three wives. Their women are denied education and can only come outside of their compound when covered head to toe and escorted by a male relative.

The other goes into the poorest regions of Africa to Ebola wards, risking their lives to help the helpless, who can give them nothing in return.

You decide.

GERALD WHITELY, Ringgold, Ga.


Smith is right on accountability

Just read Robin Smith's column, "Running from accountability." Robin always writes good articles. Some people agree with her, some disagree. That is their right.

On this one I happen to "strongly agree" with her. It seems as if those who are elevated to high office(s) seem to disagree with her when she takes them to task.

I am very proud to say that I am a Vietnam veteran. My father and his three brothers were World War II veterans, and their father was a World War I veteran. We all took the oath to defend the Constitution.

In that light, if someone is taken to task, then so be it. And if they do not like it, I will take "my toys and go home." Nanny-nanny-poo-poo.

DAVID BELL, Cleveland, Tenn.


Headrick emphasizes people over politics

We need Dr. Mary Headrick to represent us in Congress because all Rep. Chuck Fleischmann wants to do if re-elected is continue to say, "NO! NO! NO!"

We need Mary Headrick because she says "yes" to raising the minimum wage and reducing income inequality.

We need Mary Headrick because she says "yes" to protecting Social Security and Medicare as government programs rather turning them into cash cows for Wall Street.

We need Mary Headrick because she says "yes" to improving and protecting public education.

We need Mary Headrick because Fleischmann's obstructionism is a waste of our time and money. In four years, he has not sponsored any significant legislation. Instead, he has voted over 50 times to take away access to health care.

Only an unfeeling ideologue with no compassion for the suffering of so many in our District would engage in and be proud of such pointless, destructive voting activity.

Mary Headrick puts people above special interests. Conversely, Fleischmann relishes the gridlock he perpetuates.

JANICE FIGEL, Athens, Tenn.


Citizens urged to use ChattaData

Last Tuesday, Chattanooga's new performance management tool called ChattaData was unveiled.

As the chairman of the City Council's Budget & Finance Committee, I am excited to witness the city putting this important information online in a way that is accessible and transparent to all taxpayers.

This approach shines light on how we as a city prioritize our needs and budget funds to address those priorities. It clearly spells out goals and allows citizens to see if we are on track, need improvement, or outright failing.

The website does more than just display flashy graphs and charts. It allows citizens to review complete, raw data with a single click. This ready access to performance information gives citizens the tools to hold city government accountable for spending tax dollars wisely on what works.

We are one of just a handful of cities putting this kind of data out to the world, to be scrutinized and poured through. Let's keep working and keep holding ourselves and our elected officials accountable.

I encourage our citizens to see for themselves at https://performance.chattanooga.gov. I hope this administration will continue to refine our data and keep finding innovative ways to make local government more open and accessible.

JERRY MITCHELL

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