To the Editor:
    VOTER ID IS REALLY VOTER SUPPRESSION.
    This was actually proven in an interview with the Governor of Pennsylvania that was aired on a T.V. news program last Thursday night.  To quote what the Governor actually said, "VOTER I.D. IS GOING TO ALLOW GOVERNOR  ROMNEY TO WIN THE STATE OF PENNSYLVANIA.  DONE."
    Haven't all the states, including Georgia, that have enacted the VOTER I.D. RULE done so in hopes of doing what the Pennsylvania Governor hopes to do, suppress the votes of the ELDERLY, the POOR , the ELDERLY AFRICAN AMERICANS, THOSE WITHOUT DRIVERS LICENSES, AND THOSE WHO DO NOT KNOW HOW TO GET A VOTER I.D.? These would be Obama's.  They hope that by playing the game this unfair way, TAKING AWAY PEOPLES RIGHTS, Romney can win.
    VOTER FRAUD IS SO INSIGNIFICANT, AND THERE ARE SO FEW RECORDED CASES, IT COULD NOT POSSIBLY AFFECT THE OUTCOME OF AN ELECTION.  I read that there were only 311 cases recorded the last big election, and there were millions upon millions of votes cast.
We have been told that voter fraud is rampant, and that is not true.  In 2004. Washington state had only 0.0009 percent and Ohio had only 0.00004 percent fraud cases out of all votes cast. This has been trumped up by the politicians for Romney
The truth is not always sweet.

Barry Lurey
Madison

Printed in the July 12, 2012 edition

Dear Editor,
 
    For those of us who must always have a book at our fingertips or audiobook CD going in the car, the book sale room at the new Morgan County Library is like Disneyland.
    Hundreds of books, movies, and audiobook CDs now line the shelves of the dedicated space for the Friends of the Morgan County Library’s ongoing book sale. Just turn right after you enter the new library’s front doors and finish swooning at its beautiful, spacious interior.
    Each hardback book, audiobook, and video is only $1, and each paperback is only 50 cents. All proceeds go straight to the Friends of the Library, which donates the money to the Library for new books, audiobooks, and videos.
    And what a selection – classics to the latest movies on video tape, children’s books, tons of adult fiction books, lots of Grisham and Clancy, biographies, cookbooks.
    We even have a storage room filling up and from which the sale room shelves are stocked, so new books are constantly being ushered to the shelves. And most of these will be out on display and up for sale on July 26 from 5-8 p.m. as part of the Library’s grand opening celebration.
    Thanks to all who have donated these great books!
 
Patsy Harris
Chairman
Friends of the Morgan County Library

Printed in the July 12, 2012 edition

To the Editor:
    Here we go again, giving tax relief for the senior citizen.  A few years ago I wrote an article on the same subject, and to my surprise I had a few seniors call me at home, thanking me for standing up for senior citizens.
    We now have a group in Madison that is trying to do the same thing, giving our retired seniors their GOLDEN YEARS.  Not all of Morgan County retires are wealthy, there are seniors that are just getting by all over our country. Their investments, 401k’s, CD’s and company pensions have dried up and are gone.
    I’m a retired senior citizen, and I believe that we have PAID OUR DUES. We have worked 40 to 50 years, raising families and paying taxes all these years. Our national, state, county and city governments have squandered our tax dollars for years and years, and we still sit here and let them continue their waste. Our BOE is no different, the more money they get, the more they spend.
    If I had my way, give ALL RETIRED SENIORS a TAX FREE environment, our government does not need the money. Give our seniors their GOLDEN YEARS.
    There are counties in Georgia that do not have school tax for their seniors, and they should all be that way. I don’t care if you are wealthy or not, YOU’VE PAID YOUR DUES.
Don Anderson

Printed in the July 12, 2012 edition

To the Editor:
 
Brownwood Baptist Church experienced its seventh annual God and Country Day on July 1. It was a pleasure to have as our guests, Sheriff Robert Markley, Commission Chair Ellen Warren, and Jordan Chinouth, campaign manager for Congressman Paul Broun. Chinouth read an inspiring letter from Congressman Broun to our church reflecting our dependence on God. Others were invited, but were not able to come. Each year, here at Brownwood, we invite our elected officials to join us for worship, food, and fellowship. We pray regularly for "all who are in authority" as Paul commanded us in 1 Timothy 2. Some do not like to mix religion and politics. Here at Brownwood, we believe that to be a good Christian is to be a good citizen. Our foundational beliefs as Christians affect our values and our values affect our decisions in life. If those decisions, which are a reflection of our core values, include how we vote, then you can't separate your religion from politics. After all, our values reflect our belief system which is the Word of God. William Penn said, "If you are not governed by God, you will be ruled by tyrants." Let's return to the God of our fathers who laid the moral and scriptural foundation for our nation. God bless America!
 
Ron Swann
Pastor, Brownwood Baptist
Via e-mail

Printed in the July 5, 2012 edition

To the Editor:

I was disappointed to read that property taxes would probably increase next year. But I was so happy to read that we have $30,000 to improve our webpage.
Property tax is armed robbery.
Government is a joke.

Alan McKay
Buckhead
Via e-mail

Printed in the July 5, 2012 edition

To the Editor:

While I understand the premise behind the desire to eliminate the school taxes on the county’s seniors, there are a number of reasons why that proposal is unfair and illogical.  This proposal would be shifting a substantial tax burden to the rest of the community.  I don’t think cutting $787,000 from the BOE budget is a realistic possibility.  The amount currently paid by seniors would likely be passed along to the county’s others residents. Why revamp a well-established system in order to raise taxes on 75 percent of the county’s residents?

While it’s true that some seniors struggle financially while living on a “fixed income,” the same can be said for many or the county’s citizens that are of working age.  Most employed people are also on a “fixed income” and don’t necessarily have the ability to earn more money than they currently do.  Additionally, many of the county’s senior citizens are among our communities most affluent residents. Many seniors have accumulated substantial wealth and have healthy incomes.  If there is to be a tax break given, should the only criteria be age?

Another unfair component of this proposal is the fact that when today’s seniors were of working age, they enjoyed a lighter tax burden because seniors paid school taxes.  To revamp the current system gives seniors an unfair advantage;  lower taxes when they worked (because seniors paid) and no taxes as seniors.  That’s a “win-win” for seniors and a “lose-lose” for the rest of us.

Aubie Knight
Madison
Via e-mail

Printed in the July 5, 2012 edition