LETTER: Congressional Republicans need to work with the president

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Sunday, December 23. 2012

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Dear Editor:

We are facing challenging issues, but they can be fixed. One step would be for Republicans in Congress to set aside their differences and work with the president to find a balanced approach to reducing the deficit.

The president has supported the need for both revenue and spending cuts to reduce the deficit in a balanced way. Having already signed $1 trillion in spending cuts, President Obama’s plan will bring down the deficit by $4 trillion by asking the wealthiest Americans to pay their fair share.

Now, it’s time for Congressional Republicans to get serious about asking the wealthiest Americans to pay a slightly higher tax rate to reduce our deficit.

The Madison County Democratic Party and I support the president’s effort to avoid the “fiscal cliff.” It’s imperative for citizens to stand with the president in his efforts to extend tax cuts to 98 percent of all Americans.

Sincerely,

Conolus Scott

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#1 Virginia Moss on 12/28/12 at 11:47 PM [Reply]

This simple, supported editorial says it all. We have extremely serious fiscal problems right now. It is time for wealthy Americans, if they are true Americans and not selfish, self-serving, power-mongering misers, to step up and do their part to right our ship. The rest of us are simply not capable of doing so; they are! The wealthy will then again benefit from a stable economy and a strong America. Otherwise, they will not because the rest of us will not be able to buy their products and services, invest in their businesses or pay for education that will serve their businesses.

Mr. Scott is right. Blind adherence to Republican dogma on the part of members of that party and their representatives is ruining this country right now. When most people have money problems they do two things; they cut back on spending first and then find a way to make some extra money (a second job, a spouse going to work, a teen taking a partime job, selling things, etc.). A 7 or 11-year-old has little ability to bring in extra money; you can't ask them to help; they can't. You can ask them to do without to a degree but no more; children shouldn't suffer poor nutrition, poor health care, lack of vision correction, interruption in education, etc. That's why the adults step up to sacrifice for them until things get better. In time, things will get better unless the parents fail to step up or continually argue about money while doing nothing to change the situation, expending all their energy blaming each other, fighting and disagreeing about what to do; then the entire family goes over the fiscal cliff. The American family needs to grow up and take responsibility. Isn't this a republican ideal?

#2 tim on 12/30/12 at 08:59 AM [Reply]

Such BS...wealthy Americans are what is keeping this country going. Your hatred for persons with money is obvious. I have an uncle who sold books door to door (many years ago) to pay for his medical school education. He worked hard to get where he is and then now he is looked upon as not paying his fair share??? Some people work hard to make money and imbeciles like you want to scream that they are not paying enough.Get over your jealousy and look to your own pitiful democratic party.

#2.1 Virginia Moss on 12/30/12 at 04:15 PM [Reply]

"Your hatred for persons with money is obvious."

"Hate" is a terribly strong word. I percieve no hatred of any kind on the part of Larry Stewart in this letter.

This dysfunction on the part of our congress is hurting business; my own investment portfolio dropped 11% last Friday. It's hurting retirees dependent on their life-long savings investments to have income, as it has for the past four years; these are the people who did the personal responsibility thing their whole lives and this is what they got. They got a house they can't sell for what it's worth, too. Republicans are shooting themselves and their supporters in the foot here. We need big changes in government after we right our ship. For now we need to work together to prevent it from dipping so low it starts taking on water. Who's gonna do that?

#2.2 Double B on 12/31/12 at 12:16 AM [Reply]

Wealthy American are not what is keeping this country going the deficit is. The fact is Wealthy Americans use the governments money to supplement what they don't want to give. I.E. enough money for food and insurance and in a lot of cases enough money to afford housing. The fact is if the government stopped spending we would have a total collapse and a repeat of the great depression. Our government knows that and they also know they can't fix it. The fact is the rich caused this problem and now don't want to pay more. It could have been fixed easy pay more wages give better insurance, but ohh no what do they do cut people back to right on the line to be part time so they don't have to do these things then turn these people over to the government for care guess what now it is time for the rich to pay for all the free they have gotten. This is not a tax increase it is a correction even the republicans raised taxes in the 80s and again in the 90s and that was the best economic times in recent history as soon as we cut taxes look what happened.

#3 smackdad6 on 12/30/12 at 09:15 AM [Reply]

So true, the Republican ideals are for self reliance and personal responsibility. How is asking someone else to pay your bills contributing to self reliance? The tax increase for the wealthy will do nothing to solve the problem. The truth is the additional monies will fund the country for a little more than a week. This is not about revenues, it's spending that is out of control. It appears most of the country is fine with being reliant on the government. When my kids were born, it took a while, but they eventually got off the bottle. Go off the cliff, take care of yourself, find work or create income based on your desire to survive. Seems too many are simply content to suck the bottle.

#3.1 Virginia Moss on 12/30/12 at 04:01 PM [Reply]

"It appears most of the country is fine with being reliant on the government."

It appears that this poster is happy to see what they want to see instead of what's really out there. "Most" citizens in this country are reasonably responsible, even completely so. We have been experiencing a particularly bad economic near-depression due to an extremely rare perfect storm, part of which was manufactured by the wealthy. Some folks got caught unprepared. Everyone is now caught suffering the after-effects of tight money, not enough jobs for everyone, lots of business failures, lots of layoffs, etc. It's easy to sit there and lecture those who need a little help when you are managing to do okay; it's also callous.

There are those few who do try to game our system of temporary supports and we do need to review those systems. However, what we need to do right now in light of this perfect storm is very different from what we should be doing once the ship has righted itself. Let's first right the ship with the help of those most able to do so and then set sail based on personal responsibility, economic stability that creates jobs for all so that dependency is a minor need, reasonable lending practices, a tax structure that does not favor the rich over the poor or middle class or anyone at all.

I would like to know how you, a single citizen, would build an interstate highway system or even a road from Madison County to Athens. How would you suggest law enforcement take place? I suppose you would support vigilante justice rather than pay for government officers and courts. There is a place for government and for what it costs us. It can't happen without taxes. It does need to quit wasting our money and be efficient. Got any ideas for making that happen since you know how to fix everything?

My post was about now, not after recovery. This poster, along with many in Madison County, fails to see all the complexities of a world economy. What does smackdad6 suggest to bring all those many jobs back from overseas? What do they suggest those employees be paid here once those jobs return? The same slave-labor rates in third-world countries? That would bring our standard of living down; it wouldn't be much better than not having those jobs at all, would it? Complaining does not solve problems. If you want to voice your opinion, support it with solutions to be heard.

#3.1.1 bou on 12/30/12 at 04:21 PM [Reply]

I think you just like to hear yourself talk..or type...ramble on in front of your mirror. Save us the drama.

#3.1.1.1 Virginia Moss on 12/30/12 at 08:31 PM [Reply]

"Complaining does not solve problems. If you want to voice your opinion, support it with solutions to be heard."

Thank you for your astute contribution to this discussion (just for clarification, that's what is called "sarcasm"). As for drama, that's what's happening in Washington and I care very much about the fiscal health of our country, regardless of political party, so I speak up.

In fact, when you get right down to it, it may very well be the two-party system that is the fundamental problem here. I was essentially a Republican all my long life until around 2006 and conducted my life under the ideals of personal responsibility and hard work. Then the Republican talking heads and some "R" politicians started the blatant lies which the low information voters just ate up like Twinkies. I will never vote "R" again as long as I live. They abandoned me in a most abusive way.

Now I have to work through Democrats who seem so much more reasonable, so much closer to the middle where I am a moderate. There is a place for helping the temporarily needy; it's the Christian thing to do, the human thing to do. Both parties and most politicians waste our dollars, always have, always will. Our biggest problem now is that the wealthy and the large corporations and businesses have bought congress for their own advantages to the extent that the American people have lost their power completely. Unless you have gobs of dollars, you will not be heard. Big Business rules you and me and all of us now.

It is low-information voters who have allowed this to happen, people who vote by looking for the "R"s or "D"s on the ballot with no idea who the candidates are or what is going on really. They let the media talking heads fill their own heads with ideas that are simply inflamatory rhetoric and nothing more. They have distracted the majority from seeing what has really been happening by playing up hot-button issues that cannot be solved or have already been ruled on. We have lost America. Well, I guess that is pretty dramatic after all, isn't it.

#4 smackdad6 on 12/30/12 at 09:02 PM [Reply]

She seems to be bored...likely the holidays. Yes there is a need for government. You miss the point, as most left thinking do. You can dress it up with opinions and talking points...but the country has been severely divided the past 4 years. Those that choose and desire to provide and those that take. Have a family member myself who is collecting 99 weeks unemployment. Says she can't make as much working as she can taking from the government. Problem is, not looking for work. I am trusting you are a working class provider, so thanks for supporting the leach in my family...she really appreciates it. I have prepared to suffer for the decisions both parties have made. Suggest you do the same, gonna be a rough ride.

#5 anon on 12/31/12 at 06:28 AM [Reply]

It is low-information voters who have allowed this to happen, people who vote by looking for the"D"s on the ballot with no idea who the candidates are or what is going on really..there, I fixed it for you.

#6 sovrncitzn on 12/31/12 at 10:16 AM [Reply]

No one is talking about the real problem "FEDERAL RESERVE" this is a gaggle of private banks that print up money with no over sight. The debt these private banks incur are passed on to us in the form of taxes. Until we get off the federal reserve system or get some kind of over sight we will always be in this situation. Regardless of how much we raise taxes,cut,or a 999 or "fair tax". There is no such thing as a "fair tax".

#6.1 Virginia Moss on 12/31/12 at 10:15 PM [Reply]

That needs to be looked at as well since that is one part of the problem. There are many facets to our challenges; we have much work to do (or undo as the case may be).

#7 Sky Pilot on 12/31/12 at 01:00 PM [Reply]

President Obama was reelected to President. The Republican party is completely out of touch with the informed electorate. The country becomes more liberal and less bigoted ever year. The states that consistently vote Republican have the lowest average IQ and lowest per capita income in the nation. Rant and rave as you wish but times are changing. The old days are gone.

#7.1 MC on 12/31/12 at 02:59 PM [Reply]

2008 about 131 million people voted for president. 2102 about 126 million people voted for president.

Look further and many Republican's did not vote more so I think than Democrats.

No mandate their Sky Pilot : maybe you have too high for too long.

Lack of votes means disgust for the present political system. New change will come.

#7.2 Virginia Moss on 12/31/12 at 04:55 PM [Reply]

Well, that's one way to put it.

#8 smackdad6 on 12/31/12 at 05:44 PM [Reply]

Sky Pilot is right...the old days are gone. What lies ahead is massive debt, out of control spending on entitlements and programs for the unemployed voter, and certain financial bankruptcy for the US Government. I guess I too am a low IQ voter. Was wrong all these years for wanting to provide for myself...what was I thinking. Gonna put up another mailbox and double my income.

#8.1 Virginia Moss on 12/31/12 at 10:24 PM [Reply]

Where's that can-do American spirit? I'm not giving up; I'm speaking up! Even if it all comes to your extremely pessimistic view, we're all still better off than most every other human on earth. We will find a way and it won't be by being led around by a ring in our citizen's noses. Get rid of those nose rings and think independently. And for America's sake, please, please quit listening to the talking heads. Do some reading and research. Quit consuming the Twinkies!

#9 Out of Work on 02/18/13 at 08:32 PM [Reply]

I have worked all my life and have done alright providing for myself and my family until all the illegals came into the country . Not by accident either . Now I watch as many of those I worked with that help build this state and this country lose everything . No help from the government for them or myself . Cant stop them coming wont stop them coming . Some work is still going on but all they hire are illegals. If they offer you a job its at a fraction of the price it should be and they want to give you a 1099 and then deduct workers comp from your check also. Only making 10 to 12 dollars an hour with no benefits doesn't leave much after everybody else takes their piece of the pie. Global markets and outsourcing of jobs while in sourcing labor. Has only driven down the wage for Americans . This has all happened under the watch of both parties . Neither want to except responsibility or tell the truth.
Globalists and a global economy have only reduced quality of life and opportunity for most Americans. Because to many want to fight because of hubris ideology rather than pay attention to whats really happening to our country. Those before us wanted it all and got it . Now we just get the bill and the debt for it with little or no benefit from that debt.
Spending millions on education and no jobs . All the while we sit around thinking our vote had anything to do with it . People will say I am the ignorant one . That which divides us only makes us weak and while we all fight over things out of arrogant's because we want people to think we are so smart. We are all being played by those who want global control of everything . I'm just a dumb carpenter what do I know . Government is not the answer it never has been it never will be . At its best sufferable at its worst intolerable. I have to ask how did we become so blind and ignorant to reality with so much spent on education ?

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LETTER: Congressional Republicans need to work with the president

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LETTER: Congressional Republicans need to work with the president

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