To the Editor:

From the birth of this country until recently, capital (a scarce resource) was allocated by “the market”. By the “market” I mean our economy and not necessarily the stock market. If you applied yourself in school, took risks, worked hard and/or smart, chances are “the market” rewarded you. If you were a skilled plumber and someone needed your services, you were rewarded with work and money. While efficient, this type of system can at times be harsh, especially if you choose not to do those things that will prepare you to compete with others for scarce resources.
But not long ago, this country, specifically, some of our elected officials, decided to take us down a new path, one that sought to substitute the harshness of “the market” with compassionate policies. With this new system, individuals no longer need to worry about how “the market” will treat them because the compassionate policies of the politicians will provide for them. No longer do people need to worry about school achievements, learning a trade or skill, despair over taking risks (i.e. opening a business), or make tough decisions about when to start a family. With the compassionate policies of the politicians, and I would argue to the detriment of our society, individuals no longer need to compete in “the market.” And we wonder why our national test scores are among the lowest in the industrialized world, struggle to compete globally and have growing income disparity?

Lou Semrad
Madison
Via e-mail

Printed in the November 15, 2012 edition

To the Editor:

Godfrey Community Park, Inc. wants to thank everyone who attended the Godfrey Community Park Barbecue this past weekend. We are certain this was our biggest barbecue ever. We are so thankful for all the people who came out to help cook and serve and for all the cakes that were baked. The barbecue really is a community effort and this year we were truly overwhelmed by all the people who participated. All proceeds go toward the upkeep of the park.
Please remember that Godfrey Community Park, Inc. is designated a 501(c)(3) corporation by the Internal Revenue Service. Your donations to the park are tax deductible.
Congratulations to Roger Bruce who won the yummy Caramel Cake provided for raffle by Thelma Moon.
Very truly yours,

Esther Bruce Curry
Secretary, Godfrey Community Park, Inc.
Madison
Via e-mail

Printed in the November 15, 2012 edition

To the Editor:

During this election cycle I’ve seen shameful examples of what I assume is the “other party’s” view of the world. Two Republican campaign signs were erected in our historic family home’s yard without talking to us indicating individual opinion and/or permission are not important considerations to Republicans in Madison. When I placed Democratic party signs one was almost immediately vandalized. Finally, all three of our Obama-Biden yard signs were stolen. Since I’ve already voted and I’m sure signage denoting my opinion won’t sway anyone’s vote, this doesn’t make much difference. However, I paid for those signs and I wanted them as souvenirs of the opportunity I had to voice my opinion in a democratic society; even in a state that is predominantly for the other party.
The police were informed so that if a thief is discovered maybe a fine or public humiliation in the newspaper’s police reports will make me feel a bit better. What bothers me more than the vandalism and theft is that some Republicans are so threatened by other opinions they would stoop to these tactics as a way to silence them. These actions indicate some don’t understand, or have forgotten, what a democracy was intended to be and why our individual opinions, free speech and votes are so important. We all have an opinion but no matter how strongly you feel about yours, please respect my rights as an American to voice mine.

Stratton Hicky
Madison
Via e-mail

Printed in the November 8, 2012 edition

To the Editor:

I was so impressed with Ms. Grubaugh's "Fighting Teachers" letter to the editor that I felt I had to respond.  I was very impressed with her factual content and eloquent language used in her attack on our educators.  I can tell she is well-educated and a very intelligent person.  I was more impressed with just how disgusted I was by reading her opinion of our teachers when she has clearly been highly educated.  Maybe she should do a little more fact-finding and discover that our teachers have no union.  Our teachers do contribute to both their retirement and their insurance.  They have been, and are currently participating in cost cutting measures with furloughs, cuts in retirement contributions, loss of step raises and ridiculous increases in insurance premiums.  Combine these measures with increases in class sizes and the loss of parapros to assist with an ever growing number of students on different skill levels placed in the same classroom and I'd be willing to bet big money our teachers are most certainly overworked and underpaid.  I'll gladly pay higher taxes to ensure my children, and the children of this community, are taught by teachers compensated to a level that matches their ability and certification.  Ms. Grubaugh please remember it takes a village to raise a child.  We all have our part to play to ensure the successes of the children of this community and that means we support our teachers as well.  If you don't like our school system or teachers, I'll be glad to pay your moving expenses.

David Harper,
Supporter of ALL teachers
Bostwick
Via e-mail

Printed in the November 8, 2012 edition

To the Editor:

The first annual Secret Santa program for underprivileged children in Morgan County is now underway!
The program, sponsored by the Swords United Methodist Church, has a goal of serving 10-15 children (ages 10 and under) this Christmas season.
We are asking for people in our community to sponsor at least one child. Parents will be submitting a list of three gifts for each child and sponsors are asked to purchase at least one of the gifts from the list, but may purchase all three. In addition, we are asking that sponsors include an item in each package that relays the message of God’s love.
Our sponsorship drive will run through Dec. 2, with the last day to return gifts on Dec. 15. If you would like to sponsor a child, please give us a call between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. at 706-342-3496, or e-mail us at swordsumc1401@gmail.com. We truly appreciate the community’s generosity in helping us to deliver packages to deserving children at Christmas!

Josh Wheat, Swords United Methodist Church
Buckhead
Via e-mail

Printed in the November 8, 2012 edition

To the Editor:

It is completely useless to squabble over how the Earth was formed. No person was present at that event so we will never know how or when it happened. Scientists can speculate and theorize, but they will never be able to say with absolute certainty how it happened.  Christians have a myth that tells how and when, but it must be accepted by faith which by the very nature of faith makes the myth unverifiable. With that said, to Mr. Knight and Republicans, I say your faith will never convince anyone that the Earth was formed in six days 9,000 years ago. To Ms. Murray and Democrats, I say your science will never break the faith of those whose beliefs are based on it.  Therefore, Mr. Knight and Ms. Murray, please accept the fact that neither of you will ever agree on this subject and I beg of you, as Morgan Countians and fellow Americans, please answer this one question which I believe is much more pertinent to our situation in America.
What will it take to get Democrats and Republicans to quit being so childish, ignorant, pig-headed, arrogant, stubborn, hateful, (I'm sure readers can think of others), so that at all levels of government they can start trying to seriously solve the problems this country is facing?

Patrick Alligood
Rutledge
Via e-mail

Printed in the November 8, 2012 edition