“And Away We Go!!”

This column presents a conservative, individual responsibility, free will viewpoint about items of interest in our community and our lives. Focus is on items impacting your pocket book, your personal freedoms, and your rights. I hope you will read the column regularly and it occasionally influences your opinions and actions. Now, on to the subject of the week:

"The ‘Day of the Liberals’ is upon us. Prepare thyself."
Hide your purse and cling onto your "Inalienable Rights", the Liberals are coming!

Before I begin I want to clearly state that the focus and content of this week’s column has nothing to do with the fact that Barack Obama is a black man. In fact, I feel good that our nation has been able to overcome years of bigotry and bias, and has developed to a point where men can be chosen solely on their merit.

However, I do have serious reservations about the fact that this particular man has the most liberal voting record out of the 100 Senators now serving our nation, and had a previous history in the Illinois State government as being an ultra-liberal.

This history of left wing liberalism, a socialistic philosophy, and a "Big Brother Caretaker" outlook does bother me. It frightens me even more when this type of philosophy is in control of the executive branch at a time when the legislative branch is also dominated by a ultra liberal, left wing leadership.

The last time this situation existed in our governmental structure was during 1965-1967, the term of President Lyndon Johnson and Vice President Hubert Humphrey, with liberal John McCormack of Minnesota leading the 89th Congress. They had a huge majority (295-140) in the House of Representatives, and a 68-32 majority in the Senate. They were thus in complete control of our government.

This was the time the "Great Society" and "War On Poverty" initiatives were begun, and with them the birth of our extensive welfare entitlement programs. An astounding eighty-four liberal, expensive, bureaucracy expanding pieces of legislation were enacted.

Their liberal appointments in the Federal Judiciary and on the Supreme Court endured for the next thirty years and led to much of the liberal lunacy which today has almost rendered our federal court system ineffective. The liberal decisions which emanated from the Supreme Court throughout the 1960’s, 1970’s, and 1980’s have changed and degraded our society.

We are now faced with that situation again, with ultra liberals such as Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reed, the Kennedy Clan, and many, many other radicals in charge and free to destroy and spend at will. They can now enact and enforce their far left, socialistic agenda unrestrained and unabated by any elements of conservative sanity…. And as Jackie Gleason would say, And Away We Go!
May the Good Lord continue to bless this great nation.

Rudiments: Odds and Ends Worth Mentioning-
● I see another poor horse in our county has EEE, or the animal variety of West Nile Virus. The State Health Department is sending out press releases telling everyone to avoid going outside where they might get bitten by a mosquito, to always spray greasy repellants on themselves, and to turn over all flower pots, cans, tires, or anything that might allow water to stand where mosquito larvae might hatch. They seem to somehow ignore the huge, ugly mosquito ponds that their sister State bureaucracy, the FDEP has caused every business to dig on 40% of their property. Do they not realize they have created a public health hazard by bringing the swamp to the city for mosquito’s to use for breeding? The mosquitoes no longer have to hunt for a can or pot full of water. More liberal lunacy in my opinion.
● It appears that the consultant’s utility survey report to the Marianna City Commission has confirmed that we have a greedy, abusive utility monopoly in charge, which with the endorsement of the Florida Public Service Commission is victimizing the citizens of Marianna. We must now rely on our City Commissioners to correct this situation…..or continue to pay the highest bills in Florida for our electricity.
● The cost of living in Marianna continues to steadily increase, even though it is a tough economic time for its residents.
During the past few months the City Commissioners have approved the following increases:
● Not repealing the exorbitant water-sewer rates that were installed as a measure to help finance the required new water treatment system, before the grant funding was realized. At that time a promise was made to the citizens of the city to lower these high rates if other funding was found. That promise was broken.
● Raising the municipal millage to generate $250,000 more in tax revenues from the pockets of the city citizens.
● Increasing the rates for curb side trash pick up.
● Adding the $4.00 per meter monthly charge for gas service.
● Raising gas rates by 20%.
And at the same time the struggling city residents are paying the highest electric rates in the state!
● To all of the winners in our election I say "Congratulations". I hope you will always be prudent in the manner in which you spend the public funds which will now be at your disposal as you execute your duties. If you do this well, you will be "Getting It Right".
Note: The opinions stated in this column are solely those of the author and do not represent those of Hatcher Publications.