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America in 2009 starts with ongoing wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, the nation's largest financial crisis since the Great Depression and the largest federalization of banks, stock companies and real estate holdings ever seen since its founding.
With all our so-called brilliant minds who advise the political structures, special institutions in place to protect the system and the political structure to develop laws, govern and administer, this can't be by accident. In fact, if you look closely at how agencies have enacted policies, they have caused the demise of a well-working system by their undermining actions. If everything is controlled through Washington's political machine, it will diminish state, local and independent control.
First, the system must be broken before they can appear to fix it. The war costs money and diverts attention from other issues. Politicians gave banks wide freedom to engage in business entities other than traditional structure required to protect customers. The banks got greedy and invested in internal businesses as revenue sources. Politicians then sent out regulators with instructions to shut down funding in the housing industry because of a subprime mortgage crisis caused by unprecedented gas prices that affected less than 1 percent of the mortgage market.
Foreclosures began, and many banking officers saw this as a way to convert customer loans into discounted investment holdings, which has now grown the mortgage crisis to more than 20 percent of the market. The discounted sales have destroyed true market values of all real estate holdings, causing even greater damage throughout the market.
Uncle Sam stepped in to rescue the American people by taking over Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and buying in to the world's largest insurance company, banks and stock companies, injecting trillions of dollars that now federalizes our free enterprise system.
Politicians tell the people they are replenishing the money supply so that the banks can loan money, but that did not happen. Instead, banks hoarded the money and things got worse. They say money will be available, but who will be credit-worthy once the money is available? How much of your net worth will remain when this is over?
If the federal government owns all these entities and assets, where will the money go once they receive dividends or profits? Is the free enterprise system going to be able to compete with government entities that lose money? It certainly could not in the housing industry; when the FDIC and banks started selling homes for pennies on the dollar, the housing and development business was destroyed.
That George W. Bush is one smart fellow to figure all this out without any help from any other Washington politicians. At lease he gets the blame.
But why would he leave all that wealth for the Democrats and Barack Obama? Is it possible the Democrats set this up over the past four years for their political gain? I hope they can fix it.
David A. Derusha
Gainesville
Support of president is based on his actions
After reading Michael Jackson's letter Monday, I was left with the impression that anyone who made a negative remark about Barack Obama or did not vote for him did so because of his race.
It is not about race; it is about his ability to keep us safe and prosperous and his positions on moral issues. Perhaps I missed something. His resume certainly does not instill in me a great deal of confidence, particularly as commander in chief (It might be of interest to know, I voted for Herman Cain in his Senate race and Alan Keyes in 1996 presidential primary).
Mr. Jackson stated: "This is 2009 and there is no room for the so-called good ol' boy network." However, there seems to be an abundance of room for the bad ol' boys and girls network, such as Rahm Emanuel, a foulmouthed member of the Illinois corruption club; Hillary Clinton, a habitual liar; Timothy Geithner, a tax cheat; and Eric Holder, who pardoned a thief comparable to Bernie Madoff.
Mr. Jackson admonishes us to support Obama's decisions because he is our president. There were reasons I did not support him and those reasons still exist.
For instance, he sold his soul to Planned Parenthood when he pledged to them: "My first act, when I become president, will be to sign the Freedom of Choice Act," which is spin for the unfettered right to deny the most innocent and helpless among us the right to life.
I also recall people from Mr. Jackson's perspective who had no reluctance in not supporting George W. Bush if they had the slightest disagreement with his decisions and were viciously vocal in making their objections known.
Mr. Jackson addresses "those of you who are so ignorant as to not let go of the prejudices of years gone by, to get over it." I agree with his statement, but assume this would also include such people as the Rev. Jeremiah Wright, Obama's pastor for 20 years, and his congregation. None of us should have it both ways.
It is my hope that we can view our president not a an African-American, as we keep hearing from the media, but as our president. Shouldn't we all be striving to do away with divisive titles and hyphenated groups? (I would think, once "crayola" perfects this colorless presidential crayon, as Mr. Jackson suggested, we can also dispense with affirmative action.)
I am of The Great Depression and World War II vintage and I am tired, old and ready for the "young America" to take over the reins of government when I am sure, as one can be, that "young America" won't let the horses run over a cliff. I will support our president whenever he is right, as I have always done.
Gary Gambrell
Murrayville
Hall's SPLOST won't add any new taxes
Recently several writers have commented on the upcoming SPLOST VI vote as being a tax increase. That is not entirely accurate.
We are already paying the tax. It is why we pay 7 cents on the dollar in Hall County instead of 6. The upcoming vote in March is to extend this 1 cent-on-the-dollar local tax rather than allowing it to expire. If you read the paper Thursday, you read that we are faced with a possible $200 to $300 increase on our taxes due to the state budget shortfall. How much will our tax bills go up if our local governments jack us for the lost revenue from SPLOST if it is not extended?
The daytime population in Hall County increases dramatically from people coming here to work and do business. These people use our facilities and services but the ones who are not residents or property owners contribute nothing to pay for government services unless they purchase something.
Don't get me wrong; I'm not advocating any new taxes, but the alternative of not extending the current SPLOST is worse.
Gary Entrekin
Gainesville
No vote for Obama, but a prayer for him
Kudos to Henry Loggins for responding to Michael Jackson Sr.'s letter. I, too, voted against Barack Obama because he is so liberal. I did not vote against him because he is black. I prayed about my choice and voted in a conservative and Christian direction.
Now, I pray every day for our new leader, for his guidance, direction and wisdom to do the right thing for all Americans. Please stop buying into and continuing the "race" issue by making blanket statements until you have talked to people about their choices. I think you would be surprised who is prejudiced.
Coleen M. McConnell
Gainesville