Freedom March Sept. 12

Dear editor,

During August, town hall meetings were all over the news. These meetings are revealing many frustrations that have been building among the people.

First, the recession that began in 2007, in which the causes have been traced back to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac for the housing crisis.

Then came the stimulus package earlier this year. The one that really started to make the people angry was Cap and Trade after hundreds of thousands of e-mails and faxes were sent to the Capitol.

And now we have HR3200. The people are angry because Congress isn’t listening to them. Even at the town hall meetings members of Congress called the protesters astroturfers, and in some cases, people were referred to as racists. That makes people angry when you try to deflect the reasons they are frustrated.

These accusations have led to the growth of the tea party movement. Among independent voters, the Democrats and Obama have lost faith. The czars are completely foreign to being a government of the people, for the people and by the people. At least one of the czars, Van Jones, is a self-avowed communist.

The people are beginning to feel freedoms are being lost. I’ve never seen anything even close to this sort of contempt shown for the American people by even the politicians and the president when he said, “I don’t want them to do any talking. I want them to get out of the way.”

If you feel the same way I do, please join us at 2 p.m. Sept. 12, on the northeast side of the Fort Worth Convention Center. We are marching for freedom.

Judge Andrew Napolitano will be the keynote speaker, on the north side, after the march. Please Join Us.

Micky Baker,

Weatherford



Just my observation

Dear editor,

From the WISD summer 2009 “Communicator”

Mission Statement: … To teach, challenge and inspire each student in a safe, nurturing environment to succeed in the global community.

Vision Statement: WISD will be the world-class district of choice.

Value Statements: We value and respect all students, employees, parents, partners and our community. We demonstrate visionary leadership. We engage in/promote personal and organizational learning. We make data-driven decisions. We practice ethical behavior and personal integrity.

World-class district of choice? What does that mean? We practice visionary leadership? A little self-absorbed are we?

Having recently seen very similar musings posted in the lobby of a different school system’s junior high school, I fear this feel-good poppycock is universal in our government school systems.

I propose the following changes to the above. I would like to see some feedback from the average citizen in your letters columns.

Proposed revisions:

Mission statement: The mission of Weatherford ISD is to teach each student to read, write and understand the English language; to count and compute using arithmetic, algebra and other advanced math systems; to understand and appreciate the history and method of government of our unique Constitutional Republic; and to prepare them to cherish and defend the freedom and rule of law that makes this city and school system possible.

Vision Statement: Every student graduating from WISD will demonstrate successful completion of the Mission Statement above.

Value Statement: We value freedom. We make moral decisions based on the Christian principles that have historically made western civilization the most successful and envied social system in the history of man while understanding and tolerating the less successful systems of others. We value honesty, hard work, personal compassion and love for all men.

Just one man’s observations.

David R. Calvert,

Weatherford



The truth on health care

Dear editor,

I am so tired of the anti-Obama attitude taking over common sense. It doesn’t seem to matter what the true facts are to Texans and Okies, just that they don’t want to see Obama get a health plan through this year.

The biggest reason with getting honest information out to our nation falls squarely on the shoulders of the Republican party and their sour grapes attitude. They are getting a lot of support now from health industry profiteers who are padding the bank accounts of our representatives with money and gifts.

Republicans would rather have nothing to prevent Obama from getting his plan approved. They are totally unwilling to create a health care bill of their own. Our representatives have only one mission in mind: Kill the health care plan with deliberate lies and misinformation.

We cannot afford to do nothing. The cost of health care premiums will double in the next seven years without action now. Health care reform will strengthen Medicare and protect your benefits.

Don’t let your prejudice for Obama override the true needs for a new system for health care. Embrace the need for change and take the profiteering out of the picture.

We are a strong nation and currently have the most expensive health care programs in the world with the least efficient system. Health care reform will help us all, especially those of us on Medicare with limited or fixed income. Look for the real truth and beyond the rampant misinformation and lies.

Mr. Don Collier,

Azle



HB3200 worse than disease

Dear editor,

Health care reform is a must. But the proposed cure in HB3200 is worse than the disease. The bill will not bring meaningful change because it does not address the fundamental problem — the cost of health care.

Health insurance companies have been vilified as culprits. Yet, the fact is health insurance is expensive because health care is expensive. Insurance is a funding mechanism for the cost of care. Until the costs of care are dealt with, no meaningful change will happen.

HB3200 does nothing to curtail costs except create mechanisms to curb services. That is a disservice to Americans.

Insurance companies are in the business of managing risk. They are currently pigeon-holed into managing the risk of an uncontrollable economic anomaly called “health care costs.”

Are insurance companies perfect? No. But I’ll bet they are a far sight better at managing those risks than a government who proposes a bill that costs $1 trillion, adds $219 billion to our deficit, and would still leave over 17 million people uninsured. That will, no doubt, be a monumental failure.

The rhetoric of this debate has focused on the “evil” insurance companies who make a profit from funding our health care. Heaven forbid the company funding my care remains solvent! How solvent is the government? If HB3200 passes, we will slowly be siphoned over just a few years into the public plan options it creates. These options will be government sponsored, funded and managed plans.

Health care reform is a must, but this proposed reform will not bring any meaningful change. It will further shackle us and our economy to our government. There will not be a prescription strong enough to cure the headaches we will all incur as a result.

J.B. Gross II, CLU,

Weatherford



Higher Millsap ISD taxes no surprise



Dear editor,

The announcement that Millsap ISD would be asking for a tax increase is not unexpected. We have been hearing rumors of this possibility for several months, even as we watch the latest edifice be erected with the money voted for in the last tax increase.

The news story quotes the superintendent as saying that classes in subjects such as art, music and choir may have to be cut to overcome the $300,000 shortfall in operational funds. This is both a scare tactic and a spin worth the efforts of the likes of Washington politicians. Which is worth more in today’s economy, a class or a extracurricular activity?

Enough is enough. The solution to the shortfall is easy. Quit taking 160-mile round trips to Wichita Falls for a “scrimmage,” and lastly, start charging out-of-district students a fee to attend Millsap ISD. Start taking a close look at travel expenses for extracurricular activities — maybe even put them on a if-you-play-you-pay basis.

If the education for the students [at Millsap] is so in demand that we take any and all out-of-district pupils who wish to go here, then start charging a fee to enjoy the fruits of the labors of Millsap ISD taxpayers.

A tax increase for anything is unacceptable whether it be for operational funds or more new buildings. Maybe it is time for a new school board that recognizes the average person in the Millsap ISD is Taxed Enough Already.

Charles A. (Tony) Guess,

Millsap



Research the Constitution

Dear editor,

In reply to the letter by Darrel Behrens in the Aug. 23 edition:

Mr. Behrens, you do not correct a fact. You either prove or disprove a fact. This is my third letter stating the USA was founded as a republic. My question to you: Did the constitution create a republican form of government? My answer is yes. A republic is one in which we have elected officials to do our will. In a pure democracy, everyone votes on everything.

Our government cannot be a democratic republic. It has to be a democracy or a republic. It can’t be both. Please read Article IV, Section IV of the Constitution. “The United States shall guarantee to every state in the Union a republic form of government, and shall protect each of them against invasion and on application of the Legislature, or of the Executive (when the Legislature cannot be convened) against domestic violence.”

Through your ignorance of the Constitution and millions of uninformed sheep, our republic has become a democracy.

Democracy is mob rule and always ends up in anarchy. Read the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, then maybe we could debate intelligently. When you read the Constitution, please open your Bible to Hosea 4:6 (My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge).

The other point you make is also in error. Extreme danger is extreme danger, whether it is by individuals or an out-of-control government. Mr. Behrens, your children and grandchildren will curse you when payback is due. Shame on you. Please don’t answer this letter until you do some research on the Constitution and can write an intelligent letter.

I would like to buy you lunch. Please call me. My number is in the phone book.

Charles Katlic,

Weatherford



Many thanks

Dear editor,

Parker County residents, businesses and churches have proven to me they’re a caring group of people.

My mother spent the last three years of her life in two local nursing homes that treated her like one of their own.

You hear people say they’d never put one of their loved ones in a nursing home. I have personally put my father, mother, mother-in-law, aunt and uncle in a nursing home with no regrets.

I know there are stories that would cause people to be scared of any facility. Those days are long past thanks to homes being owned by caring people and state inspectors who show the homes the latest and best methods of care.

Mother loved Holland Lake Nursing Center and Weatherford Healthcare Center family. Thanks to activity programs, she looked forward to events she could be involved in. She loved her aides and nurses like family. She also enjoyed the food and thought they cooked just for her.

She was so happy when old and new friends would come to visit and spend some time just letting her reminisce the good times.

The Parker County Senior Center, Alpha Omega Hospice, Windmill Church of Christ, South Main Church of Christ, North Main Church of Christ and Victory Baptist Church members were so faithful to visit. Other groups left gifts over the years. You know who you are and we appreciate you and God will bless you for your support.

I encourage others to adopt a nursing home resident to know what a true friend can be. If you’re are to do this on your own, give me a call, (817) 341-1441, and I’ll be glad to go with you the first time.

Thanks Parker County for giving my mother three years of wonderful care.

Nadeen Murphree,

Weatherford



Weatherford Parks and Recreation

Dear editor,

As residents of Weatherford and Parker County for more than 30 years, we wanted to express our appreciation to the Parks and Recreation Department for the great job they have done in improving and creating the parks for all of us to enjoy.

We especially enjoy taking our grandchildren to Cherry Park and the new Love Street Park, and are looking forward to Holland Lake Park being opened soon!

Hats off to Kathy Mosby and her department!!

Walt and Gail Tilley,

Weatherford



Flag in Parker County

Dear editor,

I am not a Democrat, however, I do believe that Ted Kennedy deserved to be honored by all with the lowering of the flag.

Mark Riley didn’t believe the federal government had anything to do with “Parker County.” Well, I didn’t have anything to do with Ted Kennedy, however, I respected him.

He did his wrong and he tried to right it. Who are we to judge Ted Kennedy?

Look around folks. We have some elected officials with problems of their own. Ted fought for what he believed in, he fought hard and diligently, that’s what is great about being an American, you can have your own beliefs and fight for them, sometimes everyone doesn’t agree, but you have the right to believe as you please.

So, since I am an American, I believe that Ted Kennedy was a man who made some mistakes, like all of us, but he was truly a great Senator and a man who believed in America and all of those lucky enough to be Americans.

One cannot forget the personal sacrifices all of the Kennedy family has suffered at the hand of people that I can only assume did not agree with them.

Sue Virdell,

Weatherford



Tired of taxpayer neglect

Dear editor,

Unfortunately, here in Weatherford and Parker County, Texas, the common citizens are still invisible to those in leadership positions. Whichever it be, the working poor, the elderly and the most vulnerable are expended for high position salaries.

Corporate greed still prevails, and tax raises proposed to be placed on minimal-income, local citizens’ backs is really immoral.

With the local neglect of the recognition of Senator Ted Kennedy’s passing, those responsible should be removed from their employment.

He did more for the downtrodden, the poor and middle class than possibly anyone in the last 39 years. Health care in America now is a scandal.

Many want to preserve Weatherford’s heritage and enjoy the arts, including myself. It’s important. But preference for some and neglect of others wanting to preserve historical building sites is unfair.

Putting people back to work could benefit with the recent city donations made. Local revenues and tax breaks for organizations sitting on millions of dollars is unacceptable in this recession, which is not over.

Continuing accepting a destruction of the middle class, which began in January 2000, is wrong. It’s really strange that many vocal individuals and leaders who still promote fear and distorted information call themselves Christians.

Darwin Yeary,

Weatherford