Johnson lauded for fiscal stance
Finally, the taxpayers of Chattanooga and surrounding environs have a voice representing their interests. It's a darn shame the voice doesn't belong to any of the politicians and government officials responsible for spending the taxpayers' dollars.
But at least the voice of the new editor of the Free Press editorial page is heard loud and clear. It is too bad wasting taxpayers' money isn't a criminal offense, then some of those politicians and bureaucrats Drew Johnson has singled out would be sweating even more. Keep up the good work, Mr. Johnson, and keep the feet of those profligate spenders on fire.
NED NETTERVILLE, Lone Oak, Tenn.
Agenda to tear down U.S. goes on
Do not blame Obama, blame the people of America who have so enthusiastically acclaimed and adored him, who have rejoiced in their loss of freedom and given him such adoration as the anointed one with such a triumphal re-election.
So that as a presidential emperor, the government of Obamaism, by Obamaism, and for Obamaism ensures that the Progressive Agenda for Tearing Down America is right on schedule. God help us!
GARY SMITH, Flintstone, Ga.
Where's 'good deal' in health overhaul?
On Tuesday, Nov. 27, there was an article titled "Report: Obama health care overhaul a good deal for states." I am puzzled where the "good deal" lies. I saw that states have to pay $76 billion as Medicaid expands -- an amount that more than triples the amount the state would save by giving less to "charity." Not only this, but it was pointed out that even if a state rejects the changes to the program, they will still see its effects in higher prices.
Trying to spin a positive situation out of this is not appreciated when hard-working citizens (including those without insurance) not only have to deal with the rise in taxes in order to pay for these changes, but will also have to deal with the end of the Bush tax cuts and the end of the payroll-tax holiday.
But I suppose if spending money when there is none to spend sounds like a good idea to everyone else, then that's just what we will do. God bless democracy.
AVERY MCKINNEY, Collegedale
Get with it, see what's going on
It's hard to believe that Thomas Sowell didn't already know before he read John Stossel's book that the source of energy that powers electric cars that plug into the grid might be from burning fossil fuels. The rest of us have known that for years.
Apparently neither Sowell nor Stossel realize the importance of developing the electric car of the future. Even though we will probably never have a badly needed prohibiting tax on fossil fuels, we will shortly become dependent on vehicles with batteries that can be recharged by voltaic solar panels.
As the vehicles, batteries and solar voltaic panels (or other intermittent sources of electric energy) develop, costs will drop and provide the most economic source of portable energy for such things as automobiles, lawnmowers, leaf blowers and powered hand tools.
This could come about even sooner if those in denial would withdraw their heads from the sand and observe what's going on.
JAMES O. B. WRIGHT, Sequatchie, Tenn.
Extra taxes hurt business creation
Over-taxing the wealthy has consequences. The rich pay taxes like everyone else. If they have a business, they also pay taxes on that as well.
To require them to pay extra could force some to be unable to start new businesses, and the businesses they already have could "go under."
DOREEN DAVIS, Fort Oglethorpe
Don't base recovery on deficit spending
We have gotten to the place as a nation where returning to the tax rates that actually gave us a balanced budget is now called going over the fiscal cliff. We are so deeply addicted to deficit spending that neither party is the least bit serious about ever going back to a balanced budget. Both parties are calling for cutting the deficit by less than a quarter, and the only real difference is who pays -- the wealthy or the middle class.
I say let the taxes go up for everyone, as this is something that will obviously have to happen if we are ever to return to fiscal sanity. I would rather prolong our recession now than go further down the rabbit hole of deficit spending indefinitely and have a crash, depression or whatever will happen to us if we don't.
Obviously, Medicare will have to cost more, and the Defense Department will have to make do with much less for us to get to a balanced budget. Let us have a real recovery that is not based on more deficit spending, even if it takes longer.
DAVID NAZAR
Come on up to visit the Christmas train
Re. Christmas train on Signal Mountain:
You good folks from Chatt Town come on up and see the Christmas train that was resurrected from the effects of time in the weather by some men on the mountain.
As I understand, Phil Johnson was a main contributor and Dick Gee and Louis Glendenning were also strong contributors.
Louis would come by and keep the McDonald's group informed as to the progress of the project. I listened with interest, but was not prepared for the eye shocker which was the result.
The train is colorful, fanciful and well-constructed. It's just the thing for kids and adults to enjoy.
So if you want to enhance your Christmas experience, please bring your families and come on up.
DUN B. MONROE, Signal Mountain
Georgia Forest Watch aided trails
An article titled "Trail users unite to clear path," (Metro, Dec. 12) incorrectly named the organization as one of the originators of Co-Trails. Co-Trails was the original idea of U.S. Forest Supervisor George Bain and Wayne Jenkins, the executive director of Georgia Forest Watch at that time. Not "Forest Watch" as mentioned in the article.
In early 2010, they realized the time was ripe for a public collaborative process for addressing the growing recreation challenges in U.S. National Forests in Georgia.
They began to bring representatives of various recreation groups, concerned citizens, the Forest Service and trail professionals together to pursue creation of a world-class trails system in Georgia's National Forests. Small meetings with various trails organizations in late 2010 tested the idea that led to organizing Co-Trails.
Co-Trails volunteer groups have now analyzed over 240 miles of problematic trails.
Georgia Forest Watch secured a grant from the R. Howard Dobbs Jr. Foundation to help finance this precedent-setting work, and we are proud to assist in the leadership of this program. Georgia Forest Watch's (www.gafw.org) mission is to promote management that leads to naturally self-sustaining forests and watersheds in 867,000 acres of national forest lands in Georgia.
ROBIN HITNER, Board Director, Georgia Forest Watch, Ellijay, Ga.