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1 - Wednesday, November 2,1994, Houston Times-Journal Page 4A Viewpoints Houston Times -Journal P. O. Drawer M • 807 Carroll Street • Perry, Ga. 31069 Phone: (912) 987-1823 The Houston Times-Journal (USPS 000471) is published semi-weekly for SIB.OO per year by Houston Publications, Inc., 807 Carroll Street, Perry, Ga. 31069. Second Class Postage paid at Perry, Ga., POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the Houston Times-Journal, P. O. Drawer M, Perry, Ga. 31069. ISSN: 1075-1874 Bob Tribble, President Jim Kerce, Editor and General Manager Sherri Wengler, Advertising Manager News: Vetoßoley, Pauline Lewis. Sports: Phil Clark. Composition: Lori Simpson. Classified Advertising: Melanie Bullington. Bookkeeping: Judy Morrow. Your view Perry Police Department praised Editor: Perry should be proud of "our police department". Their professionalism was on show during the Georgia National Fair. Manning a booth during the fair, I received and overheard many compliments about how well policed the fair was, not the usual purse snatching, drunks, etc. associated with large crowds. Chief Simon is doing a super job in the role of making the fair a clean, safe event worth driving many miles to enjoy. Thanks Chief! Sincerely, Jerry Whitney Yes vote would help city, county Editor: Our state is faced w ith a dynamic, changing economy-that has been transformed by fast-paced global trends. An economy that offers more competition than ever before and demands flexibility. Population shifts and historical boundaries have made our response more difficult. As Georgia prepares to meet the challenges of the future, local governments must have the ability to work together. It is imperative that cooperation be encouraged and the ability to share tax revenues and expenses is critical to this success. Constitutional Amendment l, which will appear on the November General Election ballot, would amend Georgia's Constition to encourage local governments to participate in joint projects. Historically, cities and counties have been prevented from sharing tax revenues and costs, and therefore, have been reluctant to join together to sponsor multi-county development projects. Constitutional Amendment 1, if passed, would remove this barrier The new law would allow two or more contiguous units of local government to enter into contracts for the development of such things as industrial parks, airports, convention centers, recreational facilities, and similar projects Approval of the amendment would not represent an endorsement of a specific project but would allow the tax revenues generated by these projects to be redistributed to the participating governments without regard to the actual physical location of the facility A regional facility developed through multi-governmental contract would quality for the highest dollar amount jobs tax credit of the participating counties This extra incentive is also without regard to the physical location ol the actual project, which can be either publicly or privately initiated A vote of "yes" on the ballot will encourage Georgia's local governments to work together It will give us much needed flexibility in our quest for statewide economic prosperity. James E. Worrall, Mayor Vote will impact on health care Editor: On Tuesday . Nov Bth, voters in Perry and throughout the state of Georgia will elect officials w ho will shape health care politics that could have a major impact on our local hospital mid die healthcare services in our community It is essential that every citizen take the time to le?m about the candidates and the issues, and most iinportiuitly. to vote. Also on this November ballot is Amendment #3, an antitrust bill which would provide Georgians broader options of healthcare plans. It approved, it will allow healthcare provider networks, including doctors, hospitals, dentists and other healthcare professionals, the opportunity to compete with large insurance companies in the delivery of healthcare. Additionally, Amendment #3 will help to lower healthcare costs by allowing hospitals and other healthcare providers to jointly purchase expensive medical equipment, preventing the unnecessary duplication of serv ices and equipment which increases the costs of patient care. Although health care reform is off the agenda for our national Congress for the rest of this year, it continues to be of critical concern for those of us in the hospital and health care field, lhe problems of the uninsured still remain and will have to be addressed. Medicare will continue to be threatened as Congress looks for ways to finance reform efforts and cut entitlement programs. Your vote is crucial in helping to determining the future of health care for our community. 1 encourage you to vote "yes" on Amendment #3 to help guarantee the people of our community and the state of Georgia broader access to lower cost, high quality health care services. Sincerely, James G. Peak, Administrator Perry Hospital Candidate impresses writer Editor: I attended the Citizens Education Assoc, meeting last Thursday, Oct. 27 at the Houston County School Auditorium. The program was an open forum for the candidates who are running for our school board November 8. There were less th;ui 30 people present and frankly I was very surprised at such a small attendance since I had the understanding the schools sent home announcements as well as an announcement in the local paper. With the quality of education a great concern of so many of our parents today, I really felt there would be more interest in getting to meet and hear the candidates. Of the four candidates I heard, 1 would like to inform the parents and citizens not in attendance of how impressed I was by Shirley Lowery, who is seeking re-election for Post 6. She seemed knowledgeable of our school system and the programs available. She showed genuine concern for the issues the parents expressed, and seemed sincere in wanting to meet these needs. As a parent of a child in the school system I am proud to have a person as deeply commited to the educational program in Houston County as Shirley Lowery. Knowing the strength of our local education system weighs heavily in the hands of the person we elect, I encourage citizens to once again vote for Shirley Lowery. Linda Meade, Warner Robins, Ga. Ragin called the best candidate Editor: I have known Wayne Ragin and his family all of his life and have seen him grow lioin a child to an adult. I want you to know how proud I ;un that he would oiler himself for the County Commission. He has always been interested in people. As a young man in high school, instead of How much should rich people pay in tax? Perhaps, I'm wrong. Perhaps. It was in a middle of a heated discussion at the Rotary Club two weeks ago. Congressman Sanford Bishop, seeking re-election from the Second District, is responding to a question from Rotarian Gary Bishop. In his response, Con gressman Bishop tells Gary Bishop that those in the upper 1.2 percent of income can leave the United States if they wanted to. Me, I took that to be a sarcastic remark in response to Gary Bishop's concerns that the top 1.2 percent of taxpayers were beginning to talk about leaving the nation be cause of high taxes. I know that Sanford Bishop, as a Democrat, is not exactly cut from the same political cloth as Frederick Bastiat, Milton Friedman, Adam Smith or Thomas Jefferson; but, I also don’t think that he is com pletely ignorant of the methods and workings of a free market system. And, to send the top few of the market system overseas, with all their money, would invite disaster. I am sure that Sanford Bishop rec ognizes that fact. I think that what Sanford Bishop was saying was that if they wanted to leave, let them since they were not going to leave anyway. The rich threatening to leave the U.S. because of high taxes is sort of like a man who has lost heavy at a poker game trying to bluff Where would the rich go? But, that does bring up an inter esting question. What should the tax rate he on the rich ’ Economists have told us that taxing money at a 50 percent rate causes people to look for ways to shelter their income They would rather lose money than pay it a playing sports his junior and senior year he was part of a group of students who taught kids, in an after school program, basic reading, writing and math skills. From his dedication to his community, he received, the DAR Good Citizenship award. He was Senior Class President and many would agree, he accomplished this during a time when the schools were integrating and it took a fair, honest and caring person to represent all of his classmates. He will represent all of the people of Houston County when elected He has always had an interest in people, from the moment he went to Howard University in Washington, D.C. where he graduated with a B A. in Political Science, his goal was to work for Senator Sam Nunn, so that he could understand the process and help Georgia constituents who had issues and concerns He will use the knowledge he gained from working for Senator Nunn as well as when he worked for city and county government in Memphis. Tn for the betterment of all the people in Houston County. His career in the Pharmaceutical Industry was one in which he received m;uiy awards and recognition for his sides performance and I am sure he will utilize those talents once elected to bring industry into this county and b«x»st economic development. Upon his return to Houston County, he wanted to come home so that his kids and family could grow up in a caring community. Out of all the places he could have chosen to work, he decided to come back home, be around his parents and live in the place he loves so much. He did not just come here and sit around, he immediately joined the Chamber of Commerce and the Leadership Perry Class, PTO president at Momingsidc Elementary where he headed up the Playground improvements. Recreation coach for football and basketball and joined the American Cancer Society. He did all of those things in his first year back. This is the type of commitment and hard work he will bring to the County Commission The mediation skills he uses as a Volunteer for the Houston County juvenile Court, will allow him to be effective on the County Commission. He will deal with people honestly, effectively, ethically and caringly because that's the king of person he was brought up to be. On Tuesday, Nov. Bih. I urge all Houston Countians to go out and vote for Wayne Ragin, Houston County Commission. Sincerely, Thelma Ross, Perry, Ga. Change needed in government Editors: Early this year, representatives of our Houston County Board of Educa tion, County Commission, and State Legislative Delegation very quietly “shepherded” a unique piece of legislation through the Georgia House and Senate. This legislation created the Houston County School Building Au thority, and through a legal loophole, included the ability to incur long term debt without the approval of Houston County Voters as is required by our Georgia State Constitution. I get very concerned when three separate groups of elected officials con spire to take away even a small portion of our rights as citizens and voters. While the Authority may or may not be legal, it clearly violates the intent of our state constitution. To date, $12.2 million has been raised in this manner. The direct link between the BOE and County Commission also pro vides Commission with the means to substantially influence the what, where, when and how BOE capital expenditures are made. It is well be yond die charter and responsibility of our Board of Education to be devel oping infrastructure (roads, sewers, etc.) in unincorporated areas of the county. Decisions related to new schools should be based upon the best interests of the taxpayers and, more importantly, our children. It is time for a change. I believe that Tom Whitten, candidate for Hous ton County Board of Education, Post 6 is the proper choice on Nov. 8. He is not only qualified, but will bring a parent’s perspective to our board and will work hard to ensure that every tax dollar collected for education is spent on education. Mrs. Rhonda Dowd Warner Robins, Ga. Democratic Party time is past Editor: Each of us in life is responsible for what we do. We are held accountable whether we itre in business, the professions, or whatever walk of life we pursue. So should it be with politicians. So should it be with political parlies. We should look beyond the negative advertising, political hypocrisy, the charge and the counter charge of this "blixid sport" we call politics, and fl government, lax rates between 30 and 50 percent are high, causing grumbling and resulting in some trying to shelter their money. Tax rates of between 20 and 30 percent are generally paid. However, I don't care if the rich pays a dime in taxes. You see, ev ery dollar that is taxed from some one in the very elite is a dollar that does not go into investment. Despite what socialist democrats like Clinton would like us to be lieve, the government is die worst investor in the economic world. The proof lies in the shambled economies of Eastern Europe and Russia which may never recover. At my income, 1 could never in vest enough for jobs to be created. But, there are people who can. Now, this is not to say that we let the rich off scot free, letting them do whatever they want to do with their money. We need the money invested, not laying around where it grows for being merely money. So, what is investment. First, it is not government securities and bonds unless those bonds are for improvements in the infrastructure: roads, bridges, railroads and other tangible objects. Bonds to back a government's inability to stop writ ing checks beyond its ability to raise revenues are not investments. Secondly, it is not investing in old shares of stock. While the tradi- 4a—Houston Times-Journal tional stock market might provide a way to get rich quick, it creates no jobs. However, the purchase of stock from new companies, or the purchase of stock that backs expan sion of manufacturing or production from existing companies is the type of investment that I am talking about. Neither is buying old companies the investment that is needed. Un less new companies are established, or old companies are expanded, all you are talking about is circulating money. Now, what we are talking about is putting money into areas where jobs are created, where people are put to work and taken off the wel fare rolls and put on the tax rolls, where the multiple effect creates ad ditional jobs. So, then, that being said, what should we tax the rich? How about 60 percent, with tax credits for key r~THL PFJWT GALt£PY“ . ~^^s | POLITICAL CANDIDATES] rtf'*' r 'IOU'VE GOT \ y—N. /F vocAanAKrj A Ay "WooLO QjijJ ybu UK£ II TjTp^ v a secfif'O / I 11 _____ A Oftmor*?"J !l lift C~ rV dUtitoib * \<£>au*44 try to determine who is responsible-who is accountable for this nation's political morass. For the greater part of the past 60 years, the Democratic party has controlled the Congress of the l failed States. For 40 consecutive years, the same p;irty has had a working majority in the House of Representatives. The presiding officer, the speaker, is a Democrat The presiding officer and chairman at every committee is a Democrat The Democrats have a majority and control every committee. The party controls the legislative agenda. The party allocates funds to the Congress itself. And every single penny appropriated originates in the House of Representatives. No matter the inclination of a prolifigate President, the House has virtual control of federal spending. The Democratic party deserves credit for its past achievements, but where are we now? The litany of fiscal debacles are too numerous to be mentioned. Nor is there any end in sight The estimated 200 billion dollar federal deficit is 50 billion dollars higher than die last years of the Reagan administration, and, had the Democratic party leadership had their way, it would have been 70 billion dollars more Forty years in political power is corrupting. Jim Wright and Tony Coehlo were forced to leave the House in disgrace. Rostenkowski, Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee has been indicted, and Speaker Foley not only was involved in highly questionable stock market transactions, but desperately tried to cover up the recent major scandals in the House. The policital landscape is littered with the shattered monuments of their mismanagement. The savings and loan scandal, the welfare system, even social security faces a precarious f uture. The self-serving privileges voted by die party-the high salary, pensions, and exemption tif the congress from the very laws they passed for us have been well documented and bear repetition. This is not, hwoever, a matter of petty corruption. It is a profound, pervasive and pernicious failure of government on the part of the Democratic party leadership It is really very sad. The Democratic party was once the party of ihe future. It is n. w a party of the past-the distant past. Once the party of open-mindedness, it is now the party of political correctness. Once the party of the ordinary man, it is now the party of the left wing fringe. Once the proud champion of human rights, it is now the party of quotas and leads the militant assault against the most basic of human rights, of the unborn child. Even the language has been corrupted. To be considered "liberal” in the past was considered a compliment. I suspect when we wake up after election day, we will find little has changed. Republican hopes of gaining control of the House and Senate are overly optimistic. Historically those incumbents who choose to run, have been re-elected over 90 percent of the time. If elected, would the Republicans do better? I believe that they would-and I believe they should be given the opportunity. They, too, should be held accountable. The Democratic party has proven itself to be incapable of responsibility, undeserving of trust and unworthy of leadership. After all is said and done, we deserve the kind of government we have. Our children do not. It is past time to say "For goodness sakes, go! You have sat in this House too long." James C. Dudley, Jr., M.D., Perry, Ga. Our Policies • Signed Letters to the editor welcomed. Please limit to 300 words and include address and phone number. • Liability for an error will not exceed the cost of space occupied by the error. • We cannot be responsible for return of pictures or material unless stamped return addressed envelope is included. Our Goal The Houston Times-Journal is published proudly for the citizens of Houston and adjoining counties by Houston Publications Inc., Perry, Ga. Our goal is to produce quality, profitable, community-oriented newspapers thatyou, our readers, are proud of. We will reach that goal through hard work, teamwork, loyalty, and a strong dedication towards printing the truth. Member Georgia Press Association-National Newspaper Association "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redree of grievances." Your right to read this newspaper is protected by the First Amendment of the United States Constitution. investments that could knock them down to a 10 percent tax bracket. For every dollar that they invested in real, job creating investments, they could take a dollar off their taxes, with the minimum tax being 10 percent of their income. Remember, the rich will shelter their income rather than pay it in taxes to a government. In this case, we want them to shelter their in come, and we want them to shelter it in ways that benefit everybody. And, I think the rich would even like this approach. Instead the gov ernment using their money to pro mote things and ideas that they don't agree with, the rich get to choose how they will spend their money, and they get to make more money from their investments. And, we get jobs, jobs that pay well. We get jobs because there is an incentive to invest in new indus tries and new ventures.