Tallassee Times

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Comments to the Tallassee Times

From the Hill (6-29-10)

I wonder if you were ever in Europe longer than a 2 week vacation.Most goverments here have a mixture of forms social and democratic. England,France,Germany etc. The production of goods and products,jobs and commerce is capitolistic. Social issues are healthcare,workers rights,all individual rights.Here we have no one without medical coverage especially children. Workers rights are strong and fair to both employer and employee.There are more university graduates per population here.Pratically all European countries have a lower national and international debt percentage wise than the US. There is no country where the top 1 or 2percent control half the wealth. The problem with Americans is they love to speak of socialism and communism and have no idea what they really are and that communism that they know was leninism and stalinism and was forced upon the people for decades by the Soviet Union. Pick up a book on both like Obama did and learn before you accuse him of such an ignorant accusation.Oh if you think I am European,wrong. I was born and raised in Tallassee, Alabama. I could tell you even more about how what you say is wrong, but this comment section is too short - Byron Burnett

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From the Hill (6-29-10)

Maybe some clarification would be in order regarding Byron Burnett's response to my assessments on socialism and communism. Byron I have spent well over 2 years in Europe, visiting almost all the countries, but actually living in Luxembourg. I said that socialism had been practiced in "various degrees" in most of the countries, not pure socialism. Primarily it is being used in the areas of health care and labor. But health care becomes limited,(ask Canada) and labor becomes inefficient(ask France). This is part of what the rest of the G20 people were trying to tell Obama last month. Communism can not be implemented without stalinism and leninism to force it through. Ask Cuba and North Korea. It conflicts so intensely with the human spirit! - Ray Hall

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From the Hill (6-29-10)

You are correct on saying in various degrees. The US healthcare is costing people more of their net loan more and more. Germany for example has lower cost and everyone is covered regardless of how much you earn. The percentage now is around 14 to 15 percent from your gross income. But wait, you pay 7 percent and your employer 7 percent.Up to 45,ooo people a year die in America because they have no healthcare. Its a human right and no profits should be involved when it comes to that. Labor for example, I become after 3 years with a company a secure contract where they can't come one day and throw me out. Unions here actually fight for the workers and aren't dissolved.My sister has 3 different insurances there because she never knows what covers what and what percentile.Most bankruptcies in America now are from healthcare cost.My father worked for Ampex in Opelika for over 30 years and one day it was sold to the Japanese and he was fired from one day to the next.Great system huh.Capitalism has desroyed the middleclass and the poor and enriched the wealthy even more.its all about profits and when you think they care about you wait till they have a little difficulty. Bye! Bye! job and you have no legal way to fight it.America is productive but you don't see anything from it,just longer hours,less pay,less benefits and no security.I rather have this system thank you.Don't let the people believe the politicians and their Wall Street buddies and CNN.This healthcare reform is cutting into their profits and they are scared. We would have the money if we would get out of Iraq and Afghanistan.Everything based on profits leads to less quality and corruption,corruption.One word "Wall Street". I hope America will one day stop this "Me" mentality and think "Us" because then we can become the best in the world once again.On a nicer note Happy 4th of July and lets bring them home.I served and these are the hardest times for a soldier so call one up and fight for their rights whenever possible.Its nice to have an intelligent exchange of ideas without all the screaming and name calling. Thank you - Byron Burnett

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From the Hill (6-29-10)

I would like to address Mr. Burnette's comments. While I respect your right to your own opinion ,I strongly disagree with the basis of it.I'll take it point by point. First with regards to healthcare you said " Its a human right and no profits should be involved when it comes to that." Healthcare has never been a human right,but it has always been a personal responsibility.It should never be the responsibility of government to provide healthcare to its populace.It has become the governments job because of control and redistribution of wealth.It is yet another control that the government has over the people that it governs.In other words people have to depend on the government to provide for them thereby relieving them of the responsibility themselves.

Point two: You speak of unions ..." Labor for example, I become after 3 years with a company a secure contract where they can't come one day and throw me out." At first glance that's a great idea ,until you start to peel that onion.Think of it from an employers point of view. Hire an employee under your ideal system and after three years ,it's his decision then to either remain productive or just sit back and enjoy the government ride.

Point three: On the subject of capitalism you state "Capitalism has desroyed the middleclass and the poor and enriched the wealthy even more.its all about profits...". Seems like capitalism truly levels the playing field for everyone.Everyone has the opportunity to better themselves and their families way of life.In this system you can ,at your own choosing,decide to accept a job that barely gets you by ,or you can make things better for yourself with the neccesary hard work and creativity.Bill Gates,Meg Whitman both started out with nothing,nothing except an opportunity.

If you prefer the European system ,then by all means have at it.Personally ,I'll take freedom and opportunity anyday.I don't want the government being my caretaker,but some do.I don't think it's my responsibility to give my money to people less fortunate who chose to not do what it takes to make things better.Spreading the wealth will rob us of ambition ,and when that's gone ,all the opportunity in the world won't make any difference.

Thank you for the debate - Derrick Hartley

Get My Point (6-29-10)

Excellent, Judy, just excellent!!! - Ray Hall

Ballpark Origins (6-29-10)

I enjoyed your brief history on the stadium. My great uncles all played football and baseball there, and my grandmother once stowed away in the rumble seat of a car to go to a game to cheer after she had been suspended from school! I don't know why she was suspended; she was probably caught smoking! - Suzy Solomon Wilson

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Ballpark Origins (6-29-10)

There are prints of a somewhat recent aerial photo of the stadium. If you look closely, you will notice a faint random line running at an angle in the football field. This was where the foul line was for the baseball filed. Over the years, so much lime was laid down, it has stratified in the soil, thus slightly altering the appearance of the sod on the football field - Bobby Dennis

Rodgers (6-22-10)

Bravo Chief Rodgers for recognizing texting while driving.It (distracted driving)truly has become a menace that needs to be dealt with.With all of the ordinances that have been passed ,you'd think that if the council would deal with this issue it would certainly be viewed as a success. The next time you drive down the four lane ,look at how many people are on a cell phone. The other day I met a young man on a motorcycle on the bridge texting .

The one thing that was mentioned that I totally disagree with is dropping the speed limit from 45 to 35. I understand that the city stands to gain quite a bit of revenue from the certain boost in traffic tickets. In my opinion 45 is perfectly safe for that stretch of hiway. I certainly don't want Tallassee to become known as a speedtrap much like Brantley in south Alabama.

I also need to mention the turnover at the department.It is a shame that Tallassee can't seem to retain good officers.I know several on the force and truly admire the job that they perform.I've never met a cop or a soldier that said they got into it for the money.I hope that the turnover issue will be short lived - Derrick Hartley

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Rodgers (6-22-10)

I think the police in Tallassee do an excelent job of taking of all of us!!!

We need to give them a pat on the back ( or maybe a raise) for a job well done - Rebecca H Woodall

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Rodgers (6-22-10)

Perhaps I was not clear in my post yesterday. I was simply giving my opinion on laws that we do not yet have (35 mph on Gilmer,distracted driving).I wasn't being negative towards our police department. I think our police force does a great job,but they can't enforce a law that does not exist. Distracted driving is becomming a real problem these days with all these sophisticated handheld devices that capture more of your attention than paying attention to the road.I am no less guilty of talking on my cell phone while driving ,but I do try to limit my conversations to a minimum - Derrick Hartley

Sugar Shack (6-22-10)

Good article Trey. Speaking of trains, maybe one of your future articles can explain your grandfather's view of trains and the timing of them coming through in the early morning. Also, on the "S" curve, the one thing you left out was when we would take people less familiar with the curve through it and, at the last minute, take dirt road that was about in the center of the curve. Remember, it looked just like you were heading into the field at 70mph if you didn't know that dirt road was there. Anyway, keep up the good work man - Jimmy Bright

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Sugar Shack (6-22-10)

Cathy Sides Butler, hair dresser extrodinaire, told me about this site and particularly Trey's column. As usual Cat was right on. I love reading the Tallassee Times and Trey's columns take me back in time. Having been born and raised in Tallassee, and having been life long friends with the Taylor's, I can hear and see Judy and Melvin when reading Trey's words. The Taylor's have always been a loving, friendly, group and reading Trey's stories is pure pleasure! - Cathy Hill Traywick

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Sugar Shack (6-22-10)

trey, keep these stories forever. pass them down. i wish everyone in t-town would write things that happened to them when they were kids. lots of people just don't know the things that happen to others or their feelings about it or the way they saw it. good story - jeff totty

Heels and More (6-22-10)

I'm glad to see this business come to Tallassee. We've needed a shoe store since Clodhoppers closed. Good luck y'all! - Natoria Strum

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Heels and More (6-22-10)

I'm so happy to see a quality shoe store in Tallassee once again. Wishing you luck and much success in this business. I can't wait to visit!!!!! - Lissa Ledbetter