Lines are drawn very clearly
An amazing thing happened at the Democratic debate. A candidate embraces a socialist form of government in the United States of America. What was most shocking was the applause.
What's interesting is that President Obama has been criticized for embracing similar views, but it was not proper to call a U.S. President a socialist. Well, all that is rapidly changing. It can be argued that Senator Sanders is annexing off the momentum President Obama has established.
The NCAA instituted overtime in college football games in 1996 because Americans hate ties! The incentive created by capitalism is what produces the best possible goods and services at a competitive cost to the consumers. I'm sure Democrats will say it is Wall Street and the "1 percenters" who impede an individual's effort to get ahead, but how is that any different from their big government regulations that stifle small business growth? The preamble of the Constitution clearly defines that the role of government is to provide a common defense and promote prosperity.
In essence, competition is why America was formed. People left their homes to embark on a journey that would allow them to compete for success because they believed in themselves. They knew the stakes were high but were willing to take risks because they didn't want the governments they were living under to dictate the restrictions of their prosperity.
I don't believe Senator Sanders is a bad guy, but he shouldn't attempt to change our government because it doesn't look like Sweden or Denmark. If one does not enjoy living in America because it doesn't "provide" fairness, then tconsider moving elsewhere. However, at what point would Denmark consider changing its government to meet the influx of immigrants who have no appetite for competition or the incentive to impact their society?
John Shull
Pine Mountain
Vets still ready to serve
For those veterans looking for an opportunity to continue serving, consider speaking at a school during the week prior to Veterans Day, the week of November 9-13.
Should you be a veteran willing to be a speaker, or an educator looking for a veteran to visit your school, call Lt. Col. (Ret) Frank McCanham at 706-324-2926.
For the past several years Frank has coordinated this program for the Chattahoochee Valley Veterans Council. Most participating veterans enjoy the visit so much that they remain in the program year after year.
On Veterans Day, November 11, the public is invited to visit VFW Post 665, 1824 Victory Drive, for festivities that will begin at 10 a.m. EST.
Sam Nelson
Chairman, Chattahoochee Valley Veterans Council
It's here already
Re editorial: "Are odds against casino gambling starting to shift?"
Webster defines casino as a public room/building for gambling and entertainment. If you have visited a "mom & pop," a gas station, pool hall, and other fronts, you know gambling is alive and well. The Georgia lottery has given its blessing to placing slot machines in public.
I'm five minutes from ten Locations of the "little bandit" that the lottery claims as its own. The lottery provides legitimacy to its existence
The rules are that only merchandise, (excluding beer or cigarette), and lottery tickets can be purchased with winnings. The machines are programmed to report money bet and paid. They can't determine if the merchants paid cash (illegal), sold merchandise or lottery tickets.
How are they regulated and monitored to ensure some degree of fairness? The setup cries out for cheating (paying out money). Put money in -- no money out. Would you play the slots?
I have tried to join an online poker site only to find that if the game or tournament offers prizes, the state of Georgia blocks me from playing those games, even though no cash is required to enter. Joining a poker club costs about $20 per month. Though the membership dues provide some free chips, you can purchase more if you choose to do so. The prizes are not associated with any cash buy-ins and include free entry in the WPT tour $10,000 tournament. Playing poker requires a more skill than pressing a button to set the wheels in motion.
With all your investigative tools, why not do a thorough investigation on "legal" gambling that exists in Georgia today? Place your focus on employees' compensation, education money, merchant take and return to gamblers.
Art Rogers
Columbus
Public vs. personal interest
First, I applaud the October 13 letter supporting school board members Frank Myers and John Thomas. It is refreshing to know that at least two members are trying to be good and faithful stewards of the public money being spent in the school district. Please ignore the naysayers, and continue looking out for us and our tax dollars.
Next, I am troubled by the comments I read on the Internet about "taking back" our country, and the confiscation of our freedoms. Take it back from whom? Which specific freedoms do you no longer have? I'm really at a loss here about which of my rights have been whisked away.
Finally, I read a comment just today that "we are a Christian nation. Read the Constitution." I have a history degree and 35 years of teaching -- I have read the Constitution many times. There is not one single word about Christianity, or any other religion, in its entirety (including the amendments).
With that said, I wish that more of us would actually follow the tenets of our faith and treat each other with more love and respect. Maybe even our elected officials could remember how to compromise and start governing for the good of the entire city, state, and nation instead of just their own special interest.
Ken Paulk
Columbus
This story was originally published October 15, 2015 at 12:10 PM with the headline "Lines are drawn very clearly ."