Wednesday, July 27, 2011

What it Means to be Free

I will not try to improve upon the discourse below.  I thought it perfect the way it is said.  The question I ask is whether or not we wish to abdicate our responsibilities as free citizens to become "enabled" by our governments, and thus give up our freedoms?  The founders knew socialism and rejected it.  They knew communism and rejected that.  The American government system was unique and was intended to minimize the impact of government upon citizens and allow the citizens to become the most prosperous and self sufficient possible.  The Constitution is a document that restricts the government, not the citizen.  Don't let anyone tell you different.  The Bill of Rights places restrictions on government and outlines specific rights it cannot infringe upon.  There is nothing in the Constitution that tells us what a citizen must or must not do.

The founding principles worked until the last century when progressives, communists, Marxists and socialists realized they could infiltrate our government and pass laws that would have people become more dependent upon government and therefore less free.  Freedom involves economic as well as physical freedom.  Taking money from the government does not provide economic freedom, it binds people to the government and gives up the right to work and make your own living.  In this war against socialism that we are now locked into, no one will come with a weapon and force you to take government money.  They know... THEY KNOW... that people are weak and will put out their hand if enough is offered.  Remember this; it is one of the things my father first taught me:  There is no such thing as a free lunch.  There is ALWAYS a catch, always.

Source:  http://www.founding.com/

The Alphabet of Freedom is found on this web site.  The alphabets can be used in teaching our youth (and ourselves) and covers both economics and politics.  The following conclusion is taken from this web site.

Freedom is a great blessing; it is man's natural right. Free society offers maximum opportunities for human prosperity and happiness. But freedom is also a great responsibility. More is required of a free people than any other. They must be informed, civic-minded, and self-reliant. In addition to thinking of themselves as individual men and women, and as members of families, churches, and other private associations, Americans must think of themselves as citizens of a free country. The Alphabet of Freedom is a summary of the principles, institutions, and practices of American constitutional government and free society.

In his First Inaugural Address, George Washington described what was, and still is, at stake in the great American experiment in freedom: "The preservation of the sacred fire of liberty and the destiny of the republican model of government are justly considered as deeply, perhaps as finally, staked on the experiment entrusted to the hands of the American people." If freedom cannot flourish in America, it likely cannot flourish anywhere. On the other hand, if America succeeds, it becomes a model for people around the world who love liberty and seek to make their own governments freer.

The destiny of America is in our hands. America trusts its future and its security to each new generation of Americans who can and will make America what they want it to be. All American citizens should take ownership and pride in their country because, in truth, this land is their land. But Americans must always remember that their own well being, and the well being of their families and friends, is intrinsically connected to the well being of our country. It is to our advantage, and it is our duty, to make America the best it can be. In carrying out this duty, we can find no better guidance than the principles of freedom, the abc’s of freedom that form the Alphabet of Freedom.

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Smyth County - puts us all in more debt

Smyth County Residents Be Aware!!
 

Each man, woman, and child in the county will OWE County Government
$1,667.00  
if they finance the proposed expenditures of $50,000,000 ($50 million)
Property tax rates will increase by at least $.07 per $100 or 10%.

 County debt creates a real cost for property owners: $70 to $350 or more per year, depending upon the property assessed value.  This is according to the consultants that the County hired to study the County financial status and impact to the residents.  We have copies of the report.  The yearly debt payments of up to nearly $4,000,000 will continue beyond the year 2043, even if the county doesn’t take more debt in later years.


What makes up the debt?

Over the last year, the County Board of Supervisors has voted “YES” to spending money we do not have, and need a HUGE loan.  Plus, they are considering spending MORE!

·         Courthouse expansion = $25,000,000            (MUST borrow)         Approved in 2010
·         New Marion School Campus = $25,000,000           Under consideration NOW


The Board of Supervisors also voted approval to:
·         Increased property tax rates by 10% (rate was supposed to be $0.52 per hundred, was increased to $0.69.)
·         Increased machinery taxes
·         Increased permit fees, including fees to church groups and other non-profits
·         AND (to add insult to injury,) increase their own salaries! **

** After Roscoe Call stated that they were “doing the citizens a favor” by coming to county meetings.  Since when?  Didn’t they volunteer?

Soon they will vote on whether or not to take the new debt and the additional tax increases for the new debt (the $.07 per $100.)  If the county takes on this new debt, it will not be paid off until years after our grammar school age children are holding their grandchildren!  Let’s hope they don’t need even MORE loans during the next 40 years.

When did YOU get a pay raise?  Have your utility bills gone down? Property taxes gone down? Gas prices gone down? Groceries or household supplies gone down?


YOU can make a difference!!!  Just a phone call!!

It’s hard to influence Washington DC, but local representatives need your input.


PLEASE TELL YOUR REPRESENTATIVE “NO MORE TAXES or DEBT!!”


There is a proposed Public Hearing August 9th at 6:00 PM for input on the new school funding.  Check the paper for the final date and time.  It MUST be advertised by law.

Here are the Representatives, Districts, and Contact information.


By the way, there are 4 Board of Supervisors positions up for election this fall.  If they won’t listen, use your sovereign strength and VOTE!  Let’s CHANGE the tax and spend direction!


Please call your representative to express your opinion about incurring more debt or increasing costs to residents in any way.  Their phone number is public for a reason; they need your input in order to make good decisions about how to spend YOUR money.


District
Name
Address
Phone
Atkins*
125 Mulberry Lane
Atkins, VA24311
276-783-5757
Chilhowie
Wade H. Blevins
wblevins@smythcounty.org
522 Town Spring Road
Chilhowie, VA24319
276-646-5312
Northfork*
Charlie Clark-Chairman
cclark@smythcounty.org
4672 Valley Road
Saltville, VA24370
276-624-3272
Park*
Todd Dishner-Vice Chairman
202 Spring Valley Road
Marion, VA24354
276-783-2096
Royal Oak
232 Rolling Hills Drive
Marion, VA 24354

276-685-2570
Rye Valley*
Darlene R. Neitch
dneitch@smythcounty.org
199 Belle Hollow Road
Chilhowie, VA24319
276-646-3902
Saltville
688 Upper Poore Valley Rd
Saltville, VA24370
276-496-4545







                      * Up for election THIS year!