To the Editor:

Current law requires a person legally purchasing a firearm to show photo ID. Courts have held this does not interfere with the person's Second Amendment rights to keep and bear arms.  So how does requiring a photo ID to cast a vote interfere with a person's right to vote?  Of course, there are many similar examples where ID is required to exercise a right, but chances are you already know that.  Only disillusioned, Democratic operatives seem to conveniently forget those simple facts.
The 15th Amendment states, "The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude."  I find it to be illogical and extremely racist, for someone to suggest that people of color or other minorities are somehow less capable of obtaining identification than white people.  And as I am sure Mr. Lurey is aware, the State of Georgia-issued identification is made available for FREE to anyone that wants or needs one.
Showing identification is a simple requirement that is needed to perform numerous basic functions (cashing a check, checking out a library book, entering government buildings, and on and on).  Democrats should be ashamed of themselves for not requiring the same minimum standard to vote.  But of course, in order to promote their socialist agenda, they would be willing to allow every illegal immigrant in the country the opportunity to vote.

Aubie Knight
Madison
Via e-mail

Printed in the July 19, 2012

To the Editor:

Government will not cut your taxes. They will find some excuse to spend every penny they can steal from us serfs.
Read the article carefully in last week's paper. Beware of phrases like, "revenue projections," "consider using to offset property taxes," "hope to alleviate property tax." The devils in the details.
Check their math: 28,000 jobs for every billion. Projected 19 billion. That equals 532,000 jobs. Georgia has 425,000 unemployed. If a penny can do that much, why not a dime? Problem solved.
The numbers don't add up. Don't you think we pay enough taxes? Don't be fooled into voting to pay more  taxes. Demand they cut spending.
Government's a joke.

Alan McKay
Buckhead
Via e-mail

Printed in the July 19, 2012

To the Editor:

On August 5th, Brownwood Baptist Church in Madison will be observing its 152nd annual homecoming. This year will be special because we will be memorializing those who are buried in the Brownwood cemetery. If you have a loved one or family member buried at Brownwood, we invite you to be our special guests and you will be recognized. Also, you may bring pictures or photographs of those who are buried in the cemetery. We are hoping families will join us for our morning service at 11 a.m. in our sanctuary. We will be having dinner on the grounds following our morning service in the Family Life Center. Afterwards, we will gather back in the sanctuary for a special memorial service to remember those who are buried at Brownwood. If you will be attending, please R.S.V.P. pastor Ron at ronswann@att.net or call him at 770-860-9098 and also include the name of your loved one/s who are buried in the cemetary. The Rev. James Ash will be officiating the memorial service.
 
Pastor Ron Swann
Brownwood Baptist Church, Madison
Via e-mail

Printed in the July 19, 2012

To the Editor:

Aubie Knight appears to be using a dictionary from an alternate universe when he describes the proposal to eliminate some school taxes on seniors as “unfair and illogical.” If I understand him correctly, it is both fair and logical to take money forcibly from citizens with no children in the school system and give it to citizens with children in the school system.
Our Bismarckian public school system is a socialist enterprise, a fact recognized by scholars on the left and the right. It is the most popular socialist program in the United States, followed closely by Social Security and public transportation projects. And why shouldn’t it be popular? It guarantees nice salaries for educators and administrators, shifts costs from the parents to the community at large, and helps to maintain property values.
But socialism is inherently unfair, shifting costs to those who do not benefit from the spending. And socialism inevitably results in mediocrity.
There is a rule of thumb, the 3-3-3 rule, useful in determining how long a human can survive without various necessities. It posits that in inclement weather a human can survive three hours without shelter, three days without water, and three weeks without food. But we are not asked to subsidize the housing, the water supply, or the food supply of our fellow citizens. Why should anyone, senior citizens especially, be asked to subsidize the education of the children of others?
Here is my rule of thumb: if you can’t afford children, don’t have them.

George Batten
Madison
Via e-mail

Printed in the July 19, 2012

To the Editor:
    I hope also Mr. Morin is also open to information and persuasion--
    Fareed Zakaria, international editor of Time magazine and CNN contributor, recently published an op-ed in which he cites a study by Novartis (pharmaceutical company) and McKinsey & Co., in which the study found in France, a larger population had lung disease than in the US, but with levels of severity and fatalities three times less than the US at eight times less costs; in Britain, their system was five times more effective in managing diabetes than us at half our costs.  We do treat breast cancer more effectively.  They do this by a systemic approach.
    Zakaria spoke with Daniel Vasella, chairman of Norvartis and a physician, pro-market forces and pro-American.  He said, quote, "It pains me to say this as a free-market advocate, but you have to have the government act in this case.  Health care is very complex.  Only at a systemic level can you figure out what works best based on the evidence; and what procedures/treatments are not worth the money".
    If Mr. Morin believes that charities are the avenues to help the poor with health care, he is misinformed.  There is not one church/civic group in our county that could take on the medical costs of one uninsured citizen.  It's just not doable.  Even co-pays can bankrupt.
Putting man on the moon was a public/private joint venture. There is no easy solution to this problem, but the current path is unsustainable.
 
Linda Jeanes
Bostwick

Printed in the July 12, 2012 edition

To The Editor,
    We are responding to the unfounded comments about the merchants in downtown Rutledge made by Don Anderson in his letter criticizing the city’s new speed humps. He is entitled to his opinion about the humps but he should not make untrue remarks about the Rutledge merchants. His statement, “The few businesses that you have in town that are just making it must be seeing the difference in their cash registers now” is not only incorrect it is hurtful by promoting such a negative picture of us to the public.
    In 2011 and 2012 we’ve seen the addition of LilyBeth’s Gift shop, The Co-op on East Main, Bumble Bee Books, Serendipity, Neighbor’s Market and Arcadian House Pictures as well as major expansions of The Caboose and Back–to-Wellness. A new pizza restaurant will be opening soon. Mr. Anderson’s comments about the speed humps are just an opinion, neither right nor wrong, but his negative statement about the merchants in Rutledge is an incorrect comment disguised as fact. We invite him and anybody else to come to Rutledge and see that Rutledge is not just hanging on but actually thriving.
The Rutledge Merchants Association (www.smallbutspecial.info)
Adrienne’s on Main
LilyBeth’s Gift Shop
Arcadian House Pictures
Live Well Salon & Spa
Back-to-Wellness
Neighbor’s Market
Bumble Bee Books
Rutledge Crossing
Caboose
Rutledge Frame Shop
Classic Rock Café
Rutledge Hardware
Combat Aikido
Serendipity Collectibles
Co-op on East Main
Yesterday’s Cafe
Daddy V’s Pizza

Printed in the July 12, 2012 edition