There's a huge difference between smoking and other vices; if I eat a Ding Dong next to you, you're not going to get fat. But if you smoke around me, I could develop cancer from your secondhand smoke. I think the tax should be waived for anyone who started smoking before everyone knew how addictive and dangerous smoking was; anyone who started smoking after that time knew the risks and chose to do it anyway.
And what in the world? Do you really think PRIVATE hospitals eat any kind of costs? They don't. Hospitals like Mercy in Washington are obligated to treat everyone regardless of insurance status, but do you think they eat the entire cost of uninsured patients either? No, those costs gets passed along in the form of higher health care costs and health care premiums.
Come on. The government is not trying to be Big Brother. I'm a non-smoker; they're not going to break into my house and force me to buy cigarettes and smoke them so they can collect more taxes. It's a tax on a generation of smokers who knew the dangers before they started smoking. For the record, I could stand to lose a few pounds and yes, I eat things I know are bad for me. I would be fine if the government wanted to tax higher-caloric foods and drinks. I might or might not stop my habits and I would retain my right to choose a healthier lifestyle or not because I'm a grown woman. Stop acting like a child who is getting his favorite toy taken away.7 months ago
I love cats, too. Which is my cats are spayed, receive their vaccinations and are kept inside where they can't harm songbirds. It's easy to drop by once in a while and throw down a can of Friskies; how about getting them off the street, fixing them so they can't reproduce and ensuring that they find safe, loving homes? Feeding them is not helping; it's perpetuating the stray cat problem in town. The car wash owner may have an unsightly property, but he's following city ordinances that prohibit animals running at large. 7 months ago
The fair is a secular community event, not a religious event. The American flag can be displayed and respected at a secular event, but having a cross as the ornament is questionable. How loud would everyone howl if a statue of the Buddha was displayed at the fair, despite the presence of a Buddhist monastery in Augusta? How offended would people be if a menorah was at the side of the fair stage? The cross is not an offensive symbol, just out of place at a secular event. It's simple. And please keep telling yourself that those of us who do not revere the cross have very sad lives. It's not true, but if it makes you feel better, I'll let you feel sorry for me.8 months ago
notconfused, the vampire reference in the above letter was in response to another letter that suggested anyone who doesn't want to see a cross at the fair should move to a vampire village, where the residents (although they are fictional) also hate crosses. And yes, Christians should have the right to have Christian-only parades and Christian-only festivals and they should be able to wave their crosses around at those events; however, the Washington Town and Country Fair, unless I'm mistaken, is not advertised as a Christian-only event. Since it is open to everyone, it should be free of any symbols of a particular religious faith. Common sense, not hatred.8 months ago
You are kidding me. How about if you just force fair-goers to kneel down and kiss a cross before they're allowed on the grounds? It is really beyond your comprehension that a community fair is no place to push a single religion? Does it scare you to think that there may be people of other faiths or even (hide your eyes) atheists attending the fair? Please do not use the phrase "all of us" in your letter. You most certainly do not speak for all of us. And you're suggesting a village of vampires? Really? What a loving, Christian attitude you display. People like you are the reason I no longer identify as a Christian.9 months ago
Dogs are allowed to run free in Washington despite a leash law. Nothing is ever done about it. Many people, including business owners, allow their dogs to defecate on public sidewalks and private property and never pick it up. Nothing is ever done about it. There are nuisance noise laws in town, but dogs are tied up outside 24/7 and bark continuously. Nothing is ever done about it. I love living in the downtown area and there are many more pluses than minuses, but when it comes to controlling the problems with dogs, you're banging your head against a brick wall trying to get anything done. I also love dogs, but irresponsible owners bug the heck out of me.Apr 1, 2012
