Letters to the Editor for 8/10/09

Congress poised to raise taxes

Many Americans are beginning to question whether our elected officials, both Democrats and Republicans, have abandoned their constituents to pursue a party-oriented agenda.

It seems that no matter how loud and often citizens demand a return to a common sense approach to governing, very few elected officials are listening.

Rep. Rick Boucher is charged with the responsibility of acting in the best interest of the 9th District, but refuses to talk directly to individuals he represents.

Apparently his idea of what is best for the people is all that matters. Both U.S. senators Warner and Webb refuse to discuss directly these legislative initiatives after repeated requests have been made.

They are too wrapped up in the politics of Washington and do not feel it important to receive input from constituents.

Now before Congress are three life-changing bills. Our representative and senators voted FOR and helped PASS the nearly $1 trillion stimulus bill.

Rep. Boucher has already voted FOR the energy bill and is now expected to vote FOR the health legislation being debated. Sens. Warner and Webb are expected to cast votes after the August recess.

Do you suppose they have read these bills and fully understand the long-term effect on the lives of Americans?

All total, these bills represent trillions of dollars our government will have to borrow or print.

In either case our federal government is on the verge of being unable to support this mountain of debt.

Higher taxes for all of us will soon be legislated.

Are we willing to stand by silently while the America we know is being transformed into an entitlement society incapable of making decisions for ourselves?

I think not!

Ron Catron

Galax

BBQ event speaks highly of Galax

We want you know how much we are impressed with your beautiful city of Galax.

Your townspeople and volunteers work hard to put together one of the best festivals and barbeque-cooking contests we have the privilege to judge.

We have been judging since 1995 in both the Memphis and Kansas City circuits and it is an honor to be invited to Galax and a joy to judge because it is so well run.

Your coordinator for judges and teams and her staff do an outstanding job planning and then keeping together all of the loose ends that have to be controlled to make a smooth-running festival.

It speaks highly of your city that you get so many school-age volunteers.

And the obvious enjoyment of the volunteers reflects the enthusiasm of the citizens of Galax.

Richard Zuspan

Ginger Lovellette

Henderson, Ky.

ABC privatization hard to swallow

I am writing in response to recent comments made by Republican gubernatorial candidate Bob McDonnell in several area newspapers, concerning the privatization of ABC stores to generate money for transportation.

I don’t understand how he thinks privatizing the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control will generate “$500 million” for transportation.

It is my understanding that ABC

is the only state agency that is totally self-supporting.

All other state agencies go to the General Assembly each year to present budgets and ask for operating money.

ABC goes to the General Assembly each year to be informed how much money it needs to put into the state general fund for the year to support other agencies, as well as schools and

transportation.

The agency operates its stores completely from the revenue it generates.

So, I would like it explained to me, how a self-supporting agency that gives in excess of $300 million to the general fund each year, and costs the state nothing out of the general fund to operate can be privatized to “free up” money for transportation.

Dave Cornett

Independence