Letters
Trading liberty for safety?
letters to the editor
Dear Editor:
I am writing this article in response to Robert Moore’s article in the Sept. 12 issue.
Robert, I believe that you are indeed a patriotic American. You want what you think is best for America. I also want what I think is best for America.
We will not agree on every issue that faces America. However, I do agree with you that there needs to be reform concerning lobbyists.
As long as lobbyists have free access to Congress, the will of the people is not realized.
It is obvious that some in Congress will do whatever big money wants them to do. In saying this, I am not speaking of Congress as a whole; however, I believe that a large majority will cater to the lobbyists. I believe the access that special interest groups have in Congress needs to be stop completely. I also agree with you that the court went too far in equating money and free speech. Each individual has the right to express themselves with their vote and with the right to address the government with grievances. No corporation should have the same free speech rights as do the individual, especially when that speech will manifest itself monetarily. When a corporation uses its capitol to influence Congress, the will of the people is stifled.
Although I agree with you concerning lobbyists, I do not agree with your solutions to the problem. You spoke of nationalizing elections; this in my opinion would only lead to more election fraud. To have nationalized elections would be putting the fox in charge of the hen house.
There is so much corruption in our federal government; there is no way we could get a clean election, with nationalized elections.
I do think that if we could standardize the election process from state to state it would help. For example, every state should use the same type of voting machines or paper ballot, no state should report their election results until Alaska’s results are in.
I am sure that there are many other ways that elections can be standardized. However, to take it away from the states would be a mistake. All elections on the state level need to stay in the states.
Robert, surely you do not believe that funding campaigns with government funds alone is a good thing. With your proposal and the current level of government corruption, the politicians would have an open checkbook to do whatever they want with campaign money.
Yes, Robert, we do have “welfare for politicians,” why would you want to make it worse. I believe that private donations are the best, as long as it is restricted to the individual and has a cap. I disagree with you about television advertising; if the candidate can afford it let them purchase air time.
I do agree about allowing all candidates that are on the ballot to enter national debates. For example, if a candidate is on the ballot in at least 10 states then that candidate should be in the debates.
Robert, what I do not understand is that you seem to be willing to give more and more freedoms to the government. As I stated before I believe that you are a patriotic American, why are you so willing to give away our freedoms. It seems that you are willing to allow America to become a socialized country.
We spoke recently in a business establishment in Somerset, you told me then that you agreed with a quote from Benjamin Franklin: “Those who would give up Essential Liberty to purchase a little Temporary Safety deserve neither Liberty nor Safety.”
From where I stand, it would appear that you are willing to give up essential liberty for a little safety.
Robert, that’s my take.
David Mayfield
Ferguson, Ky.
- Letters
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Drug Task Force is Needed
Dear Editor:
I read with interest, the article entitled “Snit divides SPD & Drug Task Force’’ in the July 22, 2010, edition of the Commonwealth Journal.
The article, written by Tricia Neal, was complicated and contained a lot of information. As such, it was a little hard to follow, but if I am not too far off the mark, the “gist” of it seems to indicate : -
Community needs drug task force
Dear Editor:
My name is Deneen Wittlinger and I am a mother of a ten year old and an eight year old who attend Pulaski Elementary School. I am an active citizen who is a volunteer for my children’s school, for their soccer program, and also very active in my church. Although I live in the county; I work in the city, shop in the city, and feel very much a part of the community of Somerset. -
Ashley Judd Out of Touch With Region
Dear Editor:
The recent public comments by Ms. Ashley Judd regarding the people of East Kentucky, the practice of mountaintop removal, and the coal industry in general, struck a nerve with many Kentuckians, rightfully so. -
LCRH ‘Dine With the Docs’ is a ‘Teriffic Outreach’
Dear Editor:
Recently my family attended Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital’s “Dine with the Docs” lecture series and it was great Dr. Halbert Feinberg spoke about the multiple causes of shortness of breath. -
Writer Calls for Civilized Communication
Dear Editor:
Concerning the article Difference of Opinion in the Wednesday edition of the Commonwealth Journal, I am glad to see a seasoned newspaper man wrote this article. Therefore, I can expect the quotes to be accurate. -
CJ Feature About Carla Coffey A Delight to Read
Dear Editor:
I was recently in Somerset visiting with my parentsd, and was near giddy to pick up the paper and read Tim Hyden’s excellent article on Carla Coffey’s nomination to the SHS Hall of Fame. -
Lottery Defended
Dear Editor:
A recent letter to the editor from a Somerset resident (“Lottery Is a Bad Bet”, July 8) contained several blatant misconceptions about the operation of the Kentucky Lottery. I appreciate the chance to set the record straight. -
Lottery Is a Bad Bet
Dear Editor:
I was pondering the “Lottery” the other day and decided to check out their Web site.
It’s there that I found something curious. -
Lawful self-defense for lawful people
Dear Editor:
In his June 30 column, Jeff Neal used his First Amendment right to attack lawful people’s Second Amendment right, “to keep and bear arms”. I’m offered very limited space, but appreciate this opportunity to reply. (I’m not a lawyer. -
Pets Need Attention During Hot Weather
Dear Editor:
Hot weather is upon us and with the rise in temperature comes much suffering for animals.
Dogs are descendants of the wolf, and animal which spends its days in the cool forests or rock shelters. - More Letters Headlines
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Drug Task Force is Needed
